Trust celebrates 20 great years
Conservation group still works hard
Hard-working members of a team making a difference to conservation projects all over Perth and Kinross are celebrating 20 years of being on the frontline.
Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) was founded in 1997 and since then has taken on several ambitious projects, including many with a variety of partners, which have gone on to significant success.
It is an independent charity that negotiates access to land, builds footpaths, helps care for the countryside and undertakes conservation projects, all to improve and promote access to the countryside for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
This includes responsibility for some of Perthshire best-loved tourist attractions, including Perthshire Big Tree Country and the Cateran Trail.
In the past 20 years its work has seen minor improvements to significant investment ranging from £500million to £2.6m over a number of years.
But the trust is also looking ahead, with current projects on path networks in Auchterarder, Abernethy and communities around Loch Tay.
Trust manager Morag Watson said: “We are over the moon about the trust reaching its 20th anniversary. It was set up and is run by people who love the countryside and want to make it as accessible as possible for everyone who lives in and visits Perth and Kinross.
“Our dedicated team of six manages a hugely diverse portfolio of work going on at any one time; including managing path projects and contractors, community engagement, interpretation, mapping, promoting the Perthshire countryside and networking.
“Our most recent work includes path upgrades on Provost Walk in Auchterarder and a conifer conservation expedition to Chile with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Benmore Botanic Garden. We work with community groups every day on path improvement works, maintain the Cateran Trail, promote Perthshire Big Tree Country and generally try to get as many people to visit this fantastic area as possible.”
Chair of PKCT’s Board of Trustees Neil Kirkpatrick, said: “The number of
The pretty Falls of Bruar have been supported by the trust
projects the Trust has delivered over the past 20 years is staggering. Its staff has literally laid the groundwork for an accessible, dynamic and heritage-rich countryside to be enjoyed for years to come.”
For full details of all its work and projects go to: www.pkct.org