A Perthshire man has been nominated for a top volunteer award in recognition of his efforts to clear local paths.
David McKeggie from Crieff, volunteers for the the town’s community trust path group.
The 75-year-old will find out next month if he has been successful in the awards run by Scottish walking charity Paths for All.
Mr McKeggie said he liked nothing better than being in the great outdoors and it was a privilege to be able to share that thrill with other people.
“I just love being outdoors with nature and seeing how I’m helping to breathe life back into the land and paths in the local area just spurs me on,” he said.
Mr McKeggie has thrown himself into the life of the community since he moved to Crieff after he retired from the Forestry Commission five years ago.
“I’m really chuffed to be nominated for the award and as a newbie up here, I really feel as though I have been accepted,” he added.
“We cover Crieff, Comrie and Muthill so it was also a great way to learn all about the area when I moved.
“When I moved to Crieff, the newly formed path group were looking for volunteers and I hoped that with my forestry background spanning some years, I might be of some use.
“I’ve made great friends with great, like-minded people and together we share the aim of making our beautiful countryside accessible to all.”
The awards will be held at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday September 20.
Alan Dorman, a greenspace ranger at Perth and Kinross Council who nominated Mr McKeggie, said the community could not ask for a more dedicated volunteer.
He said: “You don’t get many volunteers better than David.
“He holds himself to such high standards and no job is too difficult.
“He motivates others in the group with his stories and by showing them techniques they can use to make a job easier.
“His can-do attitude is often the engine that keeps our volunteer work groups moving.”
He said Mr McKeggie’s most recent challenge was to improve a Muthill path, which was unpassable and required a great deal of attention.
“David transformed the space and it’s now back in use and the trust and the community is so grateful,” he added.
