New visitor facilities and information hub to welcome visitors to Highland Perthshire.

To be open year-round for the benefit and comfort of active travellers, the new welfare hub will be based in the Aberfeldy Car Park next to Beyond Adventure and feature accessible and family-friendly facilities.

It will also include waste disposal facilities for the growing number of motorhome users touring the area.

Beyond Adventure, site of new welfare facilities © Beyond Adventure

Construction on the site began 5 December 2022 for 20 weeks and will include the creation of an information hub for the River Tay Way – a new long-distance walking and cycling route stretching between Kenmore and Perth and even on to Dundee for cyclists. Information will include details of the route, local visitor attractions, and messages on biodiversity and climate change.

Funding for this ambitious project is thanks to Perth & Kinross Council and VisitScotland via the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and Place Based Investment Fund. It is a joint project between Perth & Kinross Council, Mains of Murthly Farm, and Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT).

Councillor Andrew Parrott, convener of Perth & Kinross Council’s Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development said:

Tourism is vitally important to Perth and Kinross and the new facilities will make visiting Aberfeldy even more attractive to families.

Highland Perthshire will always be a popular destination, and these will make sure visitors can enjoy their visit, no matter how they travel here.

Caroline Warburton, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director said:

We are pleased to support the development of new visitor facilities and information hub in Aberfeldy through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

These additional facilities continue to improve the experience for visitors and local communities alike and help alleviate pressure on infrastructure to ensure Aberfeldy remains a popular place to visit and to live.

Promotion of the new River Tay Way will also help encourage visitors to explore the area on foot and by bike, and spread the benefits of tourism, while helping to protect our famous Highland Perthshire countryside.

Ross Dempster, Beyond Adventure:

Beyond Adventure are delighted to have played a part in getting this project to a start point. Aberfeldy and the surrounding area have desperately needed facilities such as these for a number of years and this is a fantastic step forward in promoting sustainable tourism in our beautiful region.

Calum McDiarmid, landowner of Aberfeldy Car Park:

Highland Perthshire is becoming more of a known holiday destination, welcoming visitors and providing excellent facilities is something we should be proud to supply.

Peter Quinn, PKCT Trust Director:

As the River Tay Way walking and cycling routes run south of Aberfeldy past the cemetery and adjoining car park, we recognised the influx of visitors exploring the route will put a strain on local facilities at Beyond Adventure and in the town. This new multi-use, free to use toilet and shower facility will alleviate this visitor pressure on facilities, drive additional tourism and subsequent economic benefit for the community, and promote the River Tay Way and environmental, physical and mental health benefits of active travel.

For more information about the River Tay Way, please visit www.rivertayway.org