Opening up the countryside

Sep 11 2007

PROJECTS to upgrade two Perthshire beauty spots, together costing £250,000, were two of the major projects undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council’s Countryside Ranger Service during 2006-2007, according to its annual report.

A joint initiative between the council and the Big Tree Country Partners resulted in £150,000 of work being carried out at Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park.

“Further work has yet to be undertaken but on completion of the three-year project, approximately £400,000 will have been spent on developing the site and encouraging access,” states the report.

“A five kilometre route has been developed throughout the site, which opens up access to a greater number of visitors. Path works include development of an ‘All Abilities’ loop and a ‘Most Abilities’ (electric wheelchairs) route to the Tower Viewpoint.

“The path works have been extremely well received and have been developed in a fashion which facilitates greater access yet, at the same time, leaves scope for the more adventurous to explore the woodland off the main routes.”

Planning has also started for a Geddes Route to link Perth-Kinnoull and promote non-motorised access from the town to Kinnoull Hill.

“Patrick Geddes is known as the ‘godfather of town planning’ and many of his ideas are relevant to wider interpretation at Kinnoull.

“The development of this route links well to the development of the (William) Soutar Routes elsewhere in Perth, linking St Magdalene’s Hill and the town, using another Perth resident as the interpretative focus.”

In 2007/08, new interpretation facilities will be developed, as well as continued forestry and conservation work.

Improvements have also been carried out at The Birks of Aberfeldy as part of the Big Tree Country Heritage and Access Project.

The £100,000 scheme included restructuring the woodland in the Lower Birks to make it more welcoming and selected felling to let in more light.

Work was also carried out on paths on the eastern side of the Moness Burn to improve access and included the replacement of two bridges, new and replacement steps and a total of 3.5 kilometres of new and upgraded path.

Infrastructure improvements also took place to the two car parks, strengthening the links between the Upper and Lower Birks by opening up an access to provide a seamless route between the sites and to enhance the links between Aberfeldy and The Birks.

Future work planned includes the regeneration of the Tree Trail to further integrate the two sites, the provision of new interpretation and ongoing woodland management operations.