Founded in 1997, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) is an independent charity that negotiates access to land, builds paths, helps care for Scotland’s most spectacular woodlands and trees, and works on conservation projects all to improve and promote access to the countryside for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

We are a Scottish charity working across the whole of Perth and Kinross to promote the enjoyment of the countryside; encourage people to learn about it and the natural, historical and cultural heritage it contains; and find ways to protect and care for it now and for future generations.

 

We are a successful independent organisation supported by key partners,  the Gannochy Trust and Perth & Kinross Council. We have effective relationships with many other key stakeholders; we have built many new partnerships; our knowledge and expertise are sought-after by many groups including local communities; and we have delivered numerous successful projects across Perth and Kinross including

• Active travel enhancements including at the eastern edge of Bridge of Earn
• Maintenance and improvements to the Cateran Trail with a focus on drainage improvements, improving signage and making the route more accessible.
• PKCT supported the Cateran Yomp which raised over £250,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund in 2024.
• PKCT delivered £250,000 of upland path improvements to Ben Vrackie.
• PKCT continued to lead the Perthshire Nature Connections Partnership plus delivery of the ambitious River Woods proof of concept initiative funded by the Esmee Fairburn Foundation.
• Successful delivery of A Tree for Every Child – the trusts flagship education project.
• Perth Wildlife Watch, volunteering delivery and the Perthshire Primary School Birdbox Project.
• Promotion of Big Tree Country

 

What we do

Working with communities

 

Over 25 years, we’ve also achieved…

Our Team

The team is made up of five Officers and our CEO:

Graham McQueen – CEO

 Bid Strachan – Communities Officer

Andrew Barrie – Strategic Routes Officer

Jennifer Davidson - Conservation and Projects Officer

Catherine Leatherland - Discovery, Learning & Engagement Officer

 Fraser Stewart - PR, Marketing and Communications Officer

Our Board of Trustees

Our Charity Trustees are the people in overall control of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. They are responsible for our governance and strategy and for making sure that we are administered effectively. All charity Trustees, including ours, are volunteers.

Stephen Woollard – Conservation education expert (Chair)

Cllr Richard Watters – appointed by Perth & Kinross Council

Cllr Hugh Anderson - appointed by Perth & Kinross Council

Roger Coppock MBE – Forestry expert

Jane Adams - Charity expert

Clare Pennington - Active travel expert

Denise Reid - Biodiversity expert (Vice-Chair)

Ralland Brown - Forestry Expert

Juli Titherington - Ecology Expert

Lesley Mearns - Legal Expert

Our Ambassadors

Chris Tiso (CEO - Tiso Group)

Rosie Baxendine (Bikepacking Guide)

Finlay Pringle (Climate and Conservation Activist)

Alex Cairncross (Vice Lord-Lieutenant Perth and Kinross)

Our Youth Council

Beth		Hi! My name is Beth, and I love seeing and protecting wildlife in my local area. I also love to go cycling, walking and paddle boarding in my free time. I am really excited to be part of PKCT Youth Council and can’t wait to meet and work with people who share the same interests in nature and the outdoors.
Harry		Hi I am Harry and I am 14 years old. I love the environment with its diversity of plants and animals. I am trilled to play my part as a youth council member to protect nature and all its wonders.
Ross		Hi, I’m Ross and I’m 12 years old. I am happy to be in the Youth Council because I love the outdoors, being part of a team and meeting new people. I love hillwalking, camping, Scouts and running.
Kaitlin		Hi, my name is Kaitlin. I am 13 years old and I like going on walks, exploring woodlands and doing lots of water sports. I am looking forward to youth council so I can meet new people and share my love of the outdoors with the community.
Martha		Hi my name is Martha. I am 13 years old. I love being active outdoors in general but especially love spending time and caring for my horse. I am looking forward to being part of the youth council as I would like to be more engaged in the projects and decisions in order to improve the environment in my local area.

 

Our core funders

Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust is supported by our core funders, who contribute both practical and financial support to enable us to carry out our work.

            

 

Our Annual Reports

 

Our Newsletters

Issue 4 - October 2022

Issue 3 - May 2022

Issue 2 - November 2021

Issue 1 - May 2021