Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
History project set to light up Kinnoull Hill landmark
A HISTORY project will shine the spotlight on one of Perthshire’s most iconic landmarks amid fears it has been threatened by years of “neglect”.
Colourful information panels are being installed to reveal the story behind crumbling Kinnoull Hill tower, perched on a 730ft clifftop overlooking the A90 and River Tay.
Plans for the new boards are being drawn up by the Tay Landscape Partnership after calls from locals.
However, Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park Group has raised concerns about the much-photographed monument’s future after drone footage revealed signs of damage.
Chairman Norman Renfrew said: “These information boards are a good idea and definitely a step in the right direction, but we are still some way from where we need to be.”
He said maintenance on the tower was last carried out in the 1970s, adding: “A survey was completed in 2012 which found £6,000 of repairs was needed. These have never been done. Another survey was due to take place in 2015 but that was postponed.”
Mr Renfrew said he believed the cost of repairs has significantly increased since the last study six years ago.
It is understood the local authority now intends to tie in repairs with its multimillion-pound City of Light action plan, a project that will see the tower, and other local structures and buildings, illuminated with colourful spotlights and moving projections.
The council has struck a deal with Lancaster-based LITE Ltd to design and install the lights, and work is due to get under way in March.
However, a start date for Kinnoull Tower has still to be set.