Shoppers will help boost River Tay Way

The River Tay Way – a new long-distance walking and cycling route through Highland Perthshire – has been chosen as a‘Co-op Cause’in Dunkeld to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), which is developing the RiverTay Way, wants to get the community involved in developing the route in Dunkeld and Birnam.

PKCT aspires towards installing signage, developing a leaflet, designing interpretation, and developing a website and other promotional activities to promote both routes when restrictions ease.

The cycling route follows NCN 77 through the grounds of Dunkeld House Hotel; the walking route follows core paths from Griffin Forest to the Hermitage and on past Birnam Hill.

Andy Barrie, PKCT’s strategic routes officer, who is leading the development of the River Tay Way, said:“Access to open spaces continues to be extremely important during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to encourage greater use of the countryside for mental and physical health and wellbeing.

“The River Tay Way offers visitors a way to explore some of Perthshire’s most spectacular sites; it links communities between Kenmore at Loch Tay all the way to Perth; and is creating a new and improved cycling infrastructure that will provide better active travel opportunities for work or leisure.

“The project ultimately aims to help improve the health of users, create sustainable community links, and will develop tourism income when restrictions are lifted.”

Go to https://membership.coop.co.uk/ causes/54370 for more information.