Bikers turn tourist trail into ‘TT race track’

Police Scotland has been urged to take action against speeding bikers at a popular Perthshire tourist trail, after residents claimed it was like “living next to the Isle of Man TT race track”.

An influx of motorcyclists and high-performance sports cars on the A93 between Blairgowrie and Glenshee has prompted local organisations to demand tougher action.

In a joint letter to Chief Superindentent Andy Scott, the Glenshee and Strathardle Tourist Association, Mount Blair Community Council and the Mount Blair Development Trust claim speeders on the scenic route are a danger to locals – and each other – and could hit the recovery of the local tourism sector.

Elizabeth Stewart, who has a farm at the roadside, said: “We just don’t feel safe to step outside our homes.”

She said the issue has returned since lockdown was eased. “It’s usually about five or six bikes at a time. I wouldn’t call them tourists, because they can’t be taking in the scenery at the speed they’re going.

“It’s like living next to the Isle of Man TT race track. You have to listen out for the noise of the bikes in the distance before you even think about going on to the road.”

She said: “Last year, I was driving back home and I came across a group of bikers standing on the road.

“One of the bikes was lying on its side and had hit a fence. I was told the rider had jumped off, and his motorcyle had slid across the road.”

The joint letter, signed by John Manning, vice-chairman of the Mount Blair groups, and Kate Hunter, who chairs the tourist association, states: “Throughout the recent lockdown period and since, the problem has continued to grow to such a point that it is causing great concern to our residents and businesses and feedback from visitors is that this is also of great concern to them and could have a negative impact on tourism recovery to the area.”

Inspector Greg Burns, of the Tayside road policing unit, said: “We routinely carry out patrols on the A93 using marked and unmarked vehicles to deter and detect offences and speak to motorists about their behaviour in order to educate them as to the potential consequences.

“We will continue to carry out targeted patrols across the region.”