£215,000 awarded to make Rannoch riverside a Place for Everyone

Community ambitions to make Rannoch’s picturesque riverside paths a safe and attractive place to walk, wheel and cycle have taken a significant step forward with the award of £215,000 in funding.

The Rannoch Riverside All Abilities Path project aims to provide residents and visitors with an accessible and off-road alternative to the B846 for short everyday journeys or to join the wider path network.

The project will extend from the village down to the riverside heading east and west along the riverbank. Seating will also be installed along the route in order to provide a convenient and comfortable place for people to rest.

The funding has been awarded through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, an active travel infrastructure fund backed by the Scottish Government which aims to increase everyday walking, wheeling and cycling journeys throughout Scotland.

The Rannoch Riverside All Abilities Path project is being managed by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) in partnership with Cycling Scotland’s Transport Planning & Engineering (TP&E) and the Rannoch Paths and Open Spaces Group (RPOSG) to enhance the local environment for everyone.

Annie Benson, RPOSG Chair, commented:

There has been overwhelming support for an accessible riverside path in the village from residents and local businesses. It will make a huge difference to the community having a link path we can all enjoy along the scenic River Tummel all year round in every weather regardless of ability. It will link to the wider path network in and around the village too, which provides excellent opportunities to be in nature.

Bid Strachan, PKCT Communities Officer, said:

This funding and support is fundamental to realising a long held community ambition for an upgraded route adjacent to the riverside, and one with a surface for everyone to use with ease.  We are very grateful to all the funders and look forward to its completion.

Steven Psihramis, Sustrans Infrastructure Officer, said:

This project not only enhances a brilliant community asset but helps provide accessible pathways to many of the town’s key services, like the health centre and primary school, and offers a fantastic alternative to the narrow pavements along the B846. It is always encouraging to see strong community support for walking and cycling projects like this, and I would like to thank the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, and TP&E for their hard work in this process.

A contractor for the path build has been awarded, and it is hoped that work will commence March 2022.

You can find further details about the Rannoch Riverside All Abilities Path project here: https://www.pkct.org/Pages/Category/rannoch-riverside-all-abilities-path-project