More than 100 Pitlochry residents have had their say in how £383,000 could revitalise their town centre.
The money will go to one of two projects – a plaza, with space for market stalls, on green space land at Atholl Road, or a revamp of the nearby council office to create a cultural centre.
It comes after Perth and Kinross Council was awarded just over £1.98 million by the Scottish Government to support “transformative economic investment” in town centres.
Some of the money has already been allocated to projects in Crieff, Kinross and Coupar Angus.
The Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff is in line for an upgrade and there are plans to boost Coupar Angus’s Community Cycling Hub. A share of the cash will also be used to install a path network around Loch Leven and Kinross.
The fourth and fifth ideas on the council’s list of priorities are the two Pitlochry contenders so the town should be in line for a boost whichever one is selected.
The Highland ward councillors held a consultation to help decide which of the schemes was most popular.
The plaza project had the backing of councillors but received mixed reviews from community groups.
The other scheme would involve installing disabled access to allow the little-used council office near the Atholl Road car park to be upgraded into a cultural centre.
More than 100 people made their views known during a three hour drop in session at the Atholl Centre and council officers are currently compiling and analysing the feedback from residents.
Should neither idea be agreed on, the ring-fenced money would be moved to the next project on the list, which could be away from Pitlochry.
Conservative councillor John Duff said: “The councillors and the Community Council were delighted to welcome so many residents and business people to the consultation event.
“Their comments and feedback are currently being processed and once we have the details we will establish the town’s preference in relation to the two possible options put forward.”
It’s hoped a decision will be announced in the coming weeks.
