New public changing, toilet, and camper van waste facilities have opened in Aberfeldy, providing a boost to those hiking, biking, and using the River Tay for recreation. 

The River Tay Way Hub, located at Beyond Adventure, provides accessible public toilets, accessible showers, and baby change facilities free of charge from 9am-5pm 7 days a week. Campervan waste disposal is also available on site for £6, and can be accessed by a QR code.

The hub, whose build was managed by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), was funded through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (administered by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government) and Perth and Kinross Council, through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme.  

The opening of the welfare hub marks a significant milestone in the development of the River Tay Way, which seeks to establish a largely traffic free walking route between the new Scottish Crannog Centre at Kenmore and the new Perth Museum.

Speaking about the River Tay Way Hub, Andy Barrie (PKCT) said:

 

“We’re delighted that the River Tay Way Hub is now open to the public. We hope these facilities will make it easier for those looking to make use of the area’s tracks and trails, as well for those looking to head out onto the river.

 

We are extremely grateful for the support and funding from VisitScotland and Perth and Kinross Council that helped to make this project possible. We are also pleased to see the local support for this project, particularly from Beyond Adventure, who have taken on the lease for the building, and from landowners Calum and Nicky McDiarmid.

 

The River Tay Way Hub is perfectly placed for walkers tackling the Rob Roy Way as well as those taking on the River Tay Way itself. Having accessible public toilets is something that all walkers, from families to long distance ramblers can appreciate. Having more facilities to dispose of campervan waste is also a boost for those coming to tour one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.”

 The River Tay Way Hub, now open to the public (c) Ellen McBride

The River Tay Way is PKCT’s ambitious project to connect some of the region’s best cultural and natural landmarks, linking the new Crannog Centre at Kenmore with Perth Museum via a daisy chain of paths through the picturesque Perthshire countryside. 

The new River Tay Way Hub is located on the leg between Aberfeldy and Dunkeld, a route that takes walkers through the trails of Griffin Forest, and into Dunkeld via the Hermitage. 

The day-to-day management of the River Tay Way Hub is being carried out by Beyond Adventure, an outdoor adventure company who share the site and have signed a 20 year lease to maintain the facilities.

Ross Dempster (Managing Director – Beyond Adventure) said:

 

“Having Scotland’s longest river on our doorstep is a real asset for the Aberfeldy Community.  

 

We see this Hub as an opportunity to facilitate people getting outdoors and to encourage them to enjoy some of the adventurous and exhilarating activities on offer to locals and tourists alike.

 

As well as allowing us to offer the facilities to our customers after a day on the river, we hope having this Hub as part of our community will encourage people to grab their canoes, bikes and boots make the most of the river.”

Following the River Tay Way route, it is currently possible to walk from Kenmore to Stanley via Aberfeldy and Dunkeld, and from Luncarty into Perth. PKCT projects to connect the Scottish Crannog Centre to Kenmore via Drummond Hill, and to create an active travel route between Stanley and Luncarty are currently underway.

The River Tay Way also boasts a cycle route that largely follows the NCN routes 7 and 77, allowing riders to cycle from Highland Perthshire through to the V&A Museum in Dundee City Centre. 

The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) was established by the Scottish Government to improve the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland that have seen large increases in visitor numbers. It is administrated by national tourism organisation, VisitScotland.

More information on the River Tay Way can be found HERE.