Funding opens up Perthshire path for walkers

UPGRADE: Project near Deuchny Wood saw new surface laid and gorse cleared

Walkers can now follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s kings thanks to an initiative which has opened up a historic pathway near Perth.

More than £40,000 of path upgrade works to the Coronation Road path at Northlees are complete and now open for the public to enjoy.

The Coronation Road linked the royal palace at Falkland to Scone Palace where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny.

The project on the stretch of ancient road leading to Deuchny Wood saw accessible path surface laid, gorse cleared and fencing installed, with drainage cleared and culverts fitted to help keep the section of path dry.

Morag Watson, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust manager, said: “The views of the rolling countryside and across the Tay from this section of path are amazing and it was such a shame that they were so obstructed by gorse.

“The new path improvement works included cutting back the encroaching plants, sorting out drainage and laying a surfaced path that will allow walkers to better admire the views without having to dodge thorny bushes or mind muddy bits underfoot.”

Trust communities officer Bid Strachan, who managed the project, said: “We want to thank the landowners again for working with us to improve the path.

Fencing and signage have been installed along this 380m section of path to help mitigate sheep worrying by dogs, which they have had problems with.”

The core path improvements at Northlees were funded by SUEZ Communities Trust.

The trust provides funding awards through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund – an important source of funding which came into effect in April 2015.

The scheme is linked to the Scottish Landfill Tax and encourages landfill site operators to provide contributions to approved bodies, who can then pass the funds onto community and environmental projects.

For information on how to apply to SUEZ Trust visit www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk or call 01454 262910.

Coronation Road is more accessible due to the improvements made.