The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wet summer to leave a lucrative leafy legacy
Autumnal colours expected to bring many tourists to Big Tree Country
Scotland’s washout summer could lead to a £46 million boost to the economy as tourists look to take in autumns colours.
Increased rainfall during June, July and August has created the perfect conditions for a particularly vibrant display this year, which is set to attract “leaf peepers” to Big Tree Country.
The heavy rainfall which made last year the fifth wettest summer since records began in 1910, means trees have built up the sugars they need to produce the rich autumnal colours.
Morag Watson, of the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, said: “A growing season with lots of moisture followed by a warm, dry autumn is ideal for creating the most vibrant leaf colours. As this is the pattern of weather we have had over the last few months, we are expecting the autumn colours in Perthshire Big Tree Country to be very good this year.
“The foliage has blossomed earlier so the beautiful colours of the countryside will be on show sooner and for longer.
“Last year we had a fantastic autumn but, because it was quite a sunny summer, it came later.
“This year could be even better.” She added: “Leaf peeping is a tradition that originated in America.
“It means to take in the beautiful colours and scenery of different trees, plants and wildlife.
“Over 214,000 people from across the UK visit Perthshire from September to November and the autumn colours are a big part of the attraction. Together these visitors are estimated to generate over £46m for the local economy.”
Jim Clarkson, of VisitScotland, said Perthshire was a hotspot for tourists looking to visit woodland areas.
“With more than 200,000 acres of woodland, Perthshire is rightly known as Big Tree Country and it never looks more stunning than when the leaves change to golden brown as we head into autumn,” he said.
“VisitScotland’s visitor survey, carried out in the summers of 2015 and 2016, highlighted the fact that 74 per cent of visitors were attracted to Perthshire because of its scenery and landscape, compared to 50 per cent nationally, and that 39 per cent of visitors visited a woodland/forest area while in Perthshire.”