The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Volunteers, from left, Colin Harper, Maria O’Rourke, Tina McRorie and Savannah McRorie were cleaning up Crieff ahead of this weekend’s Gathering. Picture: Steve MacDougall.
Neglected areas around run-down hotels targeted in clean-up as influx of tourists expected
“People from all over the world will see that and think we think that’s acceptable – and it’s not. GAYNOR REID, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER
Crieff residents have rallied to clean up “embarrassing” areas of the town centre “neglected” by the council before thousands of tourists arrive for this weekend’s record-breaking Gathering.
Community volunteers took to the streets to help tidy areas around the derelict Kilt and Kelt Hotel and Crieff Hotel, and the overgrown Leadenflower Street car park.
The Perthshire town will host its first weekend-long Crieff Highland Gathering, including its inaugural Music Fest on Saturday, headlined by Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.
Tina McRorie, who organised the clean-up, said: “There’s weeds at Crieff Hotel and sadly the hotel is now unoccupied and therefore, unkempt.
“Crieff is a beautiful town, and if we all get together and form wee groups in different areas to spend an hour or so tidying up, then it makes our town more attractive to visitors, which in turn brings business to our town.”
Residents were forced into action after a former local councillor, Craig Findlay, wrote to Perth and Kinross Council complaining about the state of abandoned hotels, overgrown weeds and litter in popular areas of the town.
Local business owner Gaynor Reid has also started a petition over the “dangerous” Kelt and Kilt Hotel, which she is embarrassed for tourists to see.
Gaynor said: “The hotel is in an awful state. Every customer that comes in says ‘what a mess’.
“It’s been 12 years since it was left, people are saying that it’s dangerous and I think it is. Things have fallen off the roof.
“We’ve got the games this weekend, there’s thousands coming, and it’s really embarrassing that people from all over the world will see that and think we think that’s acceptable – and it’s not.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hotel in that state. What do the tourists think? Do they think we think that’s OK?
“It’s great that they’re doing the clean-up and everyone does a little bit.”
The petition is available to sign at Gaynor’s salon, Mojo Hair and Beauty.
Organisers of the Gathering thanked the community for their hard work ahead of the games, which will see a record amount of athletes and dancers compete in front of crowds which could reach up to 6,500.
Alan Butler, a member of the Crieff Gathering committee, said: “It’s really nice to see the whole town playing a part.
“There’s a few hotels that are a bit run down and all we can say is thank you to those helping out.”