The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Missing link’ opens over Sleeping Giant
Nature: Families invited to discover route this weekend and take part in fun activities
A new path connecting communities in Fife and Perth and Kinross over Benarty Hill has been given its official opening.
The one-and-a-half mile stretch across what is known locally as the Sleeping Giant links the Fife Core Path Network to the Loch Leven Heritage Trail via RSPB Scotland’s Loch Leven nature reserve, and will provide new access to Loch Leven for communities like Ballingry and Lochore living closest to the reserve.
A new short all-access trail was also constructed on the nature reserve as part of the project, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the reserve’s woodland and encounter the wildlife that lives there.
To mark the occasion, locals and visitors are being encouraged to discover the new hill trail for themselves this weekend at special events running from 10.30am until 3pm today and tomorrow.
The path project was carried out by TRACKS for the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership, which is administered by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, SITA and the Legacy 2014 XX Commonwealth Games Scotland fund, which is administered by sportscotland.
Project manager George Lawrie, director of the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership, said: “Within the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership, we knew that it was vital to create a link between Falkland Palace, Lochore Meadows, Loch Leven and the Lomond and Benarty hills.
“This path has filled that missing link and offers something for everyone whether it’s exercising, the archaeological interest of the lime workings, the views or the wildlife.”
This weekend’s events will give visitors the chance to see chainsaw woodcarving in action as new sculptures are created at the start of the path, discover the wildlife of Loch Leven and find out about the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership’s upcoming projects.
Tomorrow at 10.30am, local historian David Munro will be leading a guided walk up the new hill trail.
There are also drop-in activities including mini-beast hunting and den building and the chance to take part in special summer holiday challenges, which are free all weekend.
Stuart Housden, the RSPB’s director for Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have been part of this partnership project.
“We hope it encourages many more local families to come and take advantage of the reserve and discover the nature on their doorsteps.
“We are also eager to continue to work with partners to improve connectivity between this new path and the Loch Leven Heritage Trail.”
This path has filled that missing link and offers something for everyone. GEORGE LAWRIE