A new programme of walks organised by Perth and Kinross Countryside (PKCT) has proved to be a huge success. 

The Grab Your Boots programme, which has been supported by The Gannochy Trust, took place every Wednesday morning throughout March in various locations across the region. 

A total of 50 people took part, enjoying walks on the outskirts of Blairgowrie, Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Perth, with some participants attending several of the walks.  

The sessions were part of the Trust’s Discovery, Learning and Engagement work, and aimed to provide a level of walk that was accessible to wide variety of people. The walks were all around four miles long and on fairly flat terrain and paths. The idea was that the walks also provide an opportunity to meet new people, chat, explore new areas, and socialise outdoors, benefitting the health and wellbeing of those taking part.

The programme has been so popular, with waiting lists for all the sessions, that organisers have said another series of walks will take place later this year. 

PKCT’s Discovery Learning and Engagement Officer, Catherine Leatherland, led the walks. She said:

“We have wanted to offer walks as part of our Discovery, Learning and Engagement programme for a while now and, thanks to funding from The Gannochy Trust for our engagement work, it is great to see it taking shape. PKCT works to improve and promote access to the countryside throughout Perth and Kinross and promote enjoyment of the countryside, and these sessions were a lovely way to encourage that. The walks were the next level up from a gentle walk around a park, providing an opportunity to stretch your legs at a relaxed pace, enjoy being outdoors, and meet new people. We thought the sessions would be popular but were absolutely blown away by the positive response – they were fully booked within hours of being announced, which is great. We’re therefore delighted to be able to say that we are already planning more walks for later in the year, across the region. We’re hoping to run the next sessions in July, also on Wednesdays, with further walks in the autumn, and then we’ll look to develop it further in the long run.” 

To be added to the mailing list and be amongst the first people to have the opportunity to sign up to the next series of walks, please email [email protected]