Walkers enjoy the region at its best
Hundreds take part in annual Drovers’ Tryst
Fans of the great outdoors basked in the area’s picturesque scenery during this year’s Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’Tryst.
Organisers of the eight day-long activities showcase – which also includes social events, the Hairy Coo mountain bike showpiece at Comrie Croft and performances from the likes of Crieff Drama Group – said a combined total of more than 300 people enjoyed the 33 walks of varying degrees of difficulty on offer.
In addition, around 150 people of all ages took part in a fantastic day of mountain biking during the Hairy Coo.
There was also a good attendance at the many non walk-related events – including the 50 people who were entertained in a friendly atmosphere at Crieff’s Strathearn Artspace on Sunday during a performance by the Chitterybite Ceilidh Band.
Prior to what was described as the fitting finale, the enduring popularity of the Tryst was borne out by the fact that more than half of the walks were fully subscribed.
A rainbow snapped while out and about on one of the Tryst walks
Ian Buchan, chair of the committee of volunteers which oversees the event, said: “As ever, an event of this nature does not just happen and is the result of a lot of hard work over the course of the last year by a fantastic team of around 40 unpaid volunteers – without whom none of this would be possible – so very grateful thanks to them.
“The Tryst is also very grateful for all the support we get from a wide range of local businesses, media, and the Crieff Succeeds BID [business improvement district] for their enthusiastic and, in many cases, financial support.
“There was also a varied and extensive programme of talks, films, music nights and drama, all put on by local businesses and organisations, which kept the walkers and their friends entertained in the evenings.
“Finally, the Tryst would like to thank all the many walkers who journeyed from all over the United Kingdom and beyond to join us in this festival. Without them there would be no Tryst.”
Next year’s Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst will provisionally run from October 6-13.
For updates, see the website www.droverstryst.com
Walkers are careful not to get their feet wet