OVER £91,000 was given out in grants last year by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Councillor Bob Ellis reveals in its report for 2006-07.

A range of communities, organisations and individuals also benefited, ranging from the Enchanted Forest and Crieff Drovers Tryst to the Upper Tay Paths Group and the Highland Communities Partnership.

The trust’s Big Tree Country Heritage and Access Project saw the completion of major tree and access work and the Woodland Bus continued to publicise the project’s education and awareness programme.

Work on the Cateran Trail continues, with negotiations being carried out with landowners to reduce the road walking on the route and an off-road section completed in Glen Isla.

Mr Ellis adds, “The new route passes Forter Castle, Loch Auchintaple and Loch Shandra, emerging at the Glenisla Hotel, keeping the trail’s promise of refreshments every 12 miles or so.

“New council designed facilities have been installed at the picnic and stopping area at Newton Bridge in the Sma’ Glen.”

The trust also took a lead in restoring Buckies Brae in Perth. New paths were created, old ones refreshed and the wood opened up with selective thinning, particularly of non-native trees.

Almost half the trust’s income of £1,224,387 came from Perth and Kinross Council (19.5%) and the Gannochy Trust (23.9%), with other contributors including Leader+ (9.7%) Forestry Commission (8.8%), Big Tree Country Forest Education Initiative (16%), Scottish Enterprise Tayside (4.5%) and Scottish Natural Heritage (3.3%).