Angus takes lead on plans for 100-mile Pictish Trail
Ambitious proposals are being developed to create a 100-mile Pictish Trail across Scotland.
- By Graham Brown
- Published in the Courier : 31.01.12
- Published online : 31.01.12 @ 05.21pm
The route would stretch through the Grampians and across the Angus glens into Perthshire from Aberdeen to Pitlochry, with partners in the project hoping the challenge will prove a magnet for outdoors enthusiasts.
Angus Council is taking the lead in the proposal and has already commissioned a consultant to look at the possible route and the work required to create a path across the varied terrain.
The authority is aiming to bring forward study findings within the next few months, with councillors in Aberdeen due to signal their support for the project later this week.
''Angus Council is a partner in the East of Scotland ERDF project for Rural Tourism Business Support,'' said a council spokesman. ''This is split into four work packages — outdoor, golf, ancestral and food and drink.
''Angus Council is leading on an outdoor project to develop a new long-distance walking route between Aberdeen and Pitlochry, which traverses the Angus Glens.
''This exciting initiative involves collaboration between Angus, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross councils and other stakeholders.''
The spokesman added: ''Angus Council has commissioned a consultancy study to establish the feasibility of the proposal which is at a very early stage.
''The consultant will report on current condition and features of the proposed route and will identify what needs to be done to bring it up to the required standard. The outcome of the study will be reported to the partner councils in a few months' time.''
The concept is also on the agenda of Aberdeen City enterprise, planning and infrastructure committee councillors this week.
Aberdeen City councillor Ian Yuill and Perth and Kinross counterpart Bob Ellis initiated the proposal for the 107-mile route, which would begin at Footdee and end in Pitlochry.
The city council has said it hopes the route could boost visitor numbers and bring with it economic and business development opportunities.
Aberdeen's section would largely follow the Deeside Way, though no specific route has yet been identified between Footdee and the start of the Deeside Way at Duthie Park.
Photo by Flickr user chany14
08.43am - 01.02.2012 Catherine Luke - Zurich, Switzerland Report This
I think you will find that these routes have existed for hundreds of years...they are called drovers' roads! My Grandfather knew them all as he took cattle to Perth, Aberdeen, Montrose and Forfar marts when he was young!
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