Walkers make return to Auchterarder path after £37,000 facelift

Trust manager thanks users of the track for their patience

A £37,000 facelift for a popular Perthshire walk has been completed.

The Common Loan path in Auchterarder had become overgrown and neglected, prompting a project to return it to its former glory.

The project involved a 360-metre stretch of path, which was cleared and rebuilt. Workers also carried out tree and hedge work, rebuilt steps and handrails, and installed a self-closing gate, a field gate, two benches, fencing above the burn, and signs.

Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) communities officer Bid Strachan has now project-managed more than £260,000 of path upgrades in Auchterarder this year, with £240,000 of additional works on the Provost Walk to get under way soon.

PKCT manager Morag Watson said: “The Common Loan path offers up one of the most spectacular views in Auchterarder, so upgrading it to be more accessible for local residents and visitors to enjoy has been exciting.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience in giving the new path a month to settle.

“Usage of the path just after works are completed could have damaged the new surface and invalidated all the hard work and financial cost put into it.

“In addition to path work, we had two benches installed along the route so that the stunning panoramas can be fully enjoyed.”

The Common Loan upgrades were funded by the West Perthshire Recreational Facility.

Jane Courtney and Julia Howe, joint chairwomen of the Auchterarder Core Paths Working Group, said the group was always looking for volunteers to help look after the newly-upgraded paths.

In a statement they said: “The volunteer Core Paths Group in Auchterarder will be maintaining all of the newly upgraded paths, including Common Loan, Johnny Mathews and Provost Walk.

“We welcome all local residents interested in lending a hand to join us.”

To get in touch with the Auchterarder Core Paths Working Group, visit their Facebook page.

Upgrading it to be more accessible for local residents and visitors to enjoy has been exciting. BID STRACHAN

The Common Loan path was cleared and rebuilt.