Tourism in Perthshire has been dealt a blow after the future of two popular outdoor leisure centres was thrown in doubt due to budget cuts.
The Kinloch Rannoch and Blackwater centre, near Blairgowrie, may be forced to close after control was handed back to Perth and Kinross Council.
The bases have been under the management of Live Active Leisure, the charity which oversees sport and leisure activities for the local authority, since 2016.
Mike Williamson, SNP councillor for Highland Perthshire, said he was worried the Kinloch Rannoch centre would be axed due to a lack of funding, resulting in redundancies and a loss of important tourism opportunities in the region.
It comes after the Rannoch Smokery closed earlier this year, with the loss of 15-20 jobs.
The redundancy process has now began with the two-part time employees at the centres, which are popular destinations for school groups and other visitors from across the UK.
Mr Williamson said: “The centre is a well-used facility and Perth and Kinross Council have just spent money taking trees down on the site to improve facilities.
“With the closure of the Rannoch Smokery, we really need as much support as possible for the local economy, rather than funding being withdrawn.
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“I will do all that I can to ensure a secure future for the outdoors centre to make sure that future generations can come and see the beauty of Kinloch Rannoch.”
Perth and Kinross Council said it would honour pre-existing bookings but no decisions had been taken on the future of the centres beyond the summer.
Live Active Leisure gave up the running of the venues as part of the annual budget setting process with Perth and Kinross Council.
The charity is also withdrawing its management of the sports facilities at the Community School of Auchterarder.
A spokesperson for Live Active Leisure said: “Many public services are facing reductions in funding and increased operational running costs.
“Live Active Leisure are no different and difficult decisions had to be considered as part of the annual budget setting process with Perth and Kinross Council.
“One of the changes agreed as part of this process was that Live Active Leisure will withdraw from the management of Perth and Kinross Council owned outdoor centres at Kinloch Rannoch and Blackwater.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “As part of this year’s budget setting, the council opted to reinstate £200,000 of the projected savings Live Active Leisure were seeking to make, leaving a savings requirement of £24,000 from Perth and Kinross Council.
“Live Active Leisure has extremely sound financial management and governance in which the council is wholly confident; it is currently carrying out a strategic review of changing trading conditions with support from Perth and Kinross Council.”
