Ambitious plans for future of Perth activity centre

An activity centre based just outside Perth has ambitious plans to build on the success of their first 12 months.

The Willowgate Activity Centre hope to attract even more people in future months by building accommodation for groups on site and expanding the programme of outdoor activities that they offer.

The centre began their operation last summer in a blaze of publicity when they launched an open day, which was attended by more than 1,000 people. One of the most popular activities has been boat trips setting off from the Fergusson Gallery, Perth, which were restarted earlier this month. And the centre has also been boosted by hosting stag and hen parties, along with corporate events being staged at the site on the banks of the River Tay, below the Friarton Bridge.

Simon Clarke, chairman of the Tay and Earn Trust, who own and manage the Willowgate Activity Centre, said the organisation has also welcomed a range of charitable and education groups, including Perth College UHI and Perth Autism Support.

He said: “Local people have been really supportive in helping us develop the Willowgate site. I’d also like to thank our partners, who include Perth and Kinross Council, Tay Salmond Fisheries, the Gannochy Trust, Perth College UHI and VisitScotland, for providing financial assistance or other support to help the trust set up the centre.”

He continued: “We need locals and visitors to keep supporting Willowgate as much as possible and come down and visit us.

“We also have a number of future plans for the Willowgate Centre, including establishing accommodation for groups on site and expanding the programme of outdoor activities that we can offer.”

And Mr Clarke said there is now a better use of the River Tay, shown through the likes of the boat trips from the Fergusson Gallery. The Tay and Earn Trust described the river as a “fantastic but sadly underused asset.”