New Footpath Construction Achievement
A major new footpath leading out of Aberfeldy is under construction. The new path starts from beside the cemetery (opposite the distillery) and leads eastwards along the south bank of the River Tay to link with the old railway track to Grandtully.
The work is the first phase of a project organised by the Upper Tay Paths Group, which is intended to make off-road access by foot, mountain bike and horse feasible between Aberfeldy and Grandtully.
The first section out of Aberfeldy is on land owned by family McDiarmid and takes a route through the riverside woodland, round the fields (recently used for raspberries) and crosses the Cultullich Burn close to where it enters the Tay |
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The next section, owned by Henry Steuart Fothringham, follows close to the river bank through young woodland and round a field edge. The construction work finishes at present just short of the old railway track at the point where the railway once crossed the main A827 just east of The Lagg.
Advanctages
There are several advantages of the new route, notably that it provides good access along the river – and spectacular views across it. It is quiet and does not require any road crossings.
Furthermore, there will be no need to use the old crumbling pavement beside the “dangerous bends” on the way out of Aberfeldy, as the new path bypasses this through the woodland beside the river (though the pavement can be used during floods).
The path is being built on this route, rather than using the line of the old railway out of Aberfeldy, because much of the track has been removed over the years and various developments had rendered this route impractical.
Sections of the new path are prone to flooding, and in order to try to minimise damage, the surface is to be mown, deep-rooting grass rather than hardcore; the vegetation acting to bind the path in place. Whilst this may not be ideal for all users, it is a sensible option to keep risks of recurrent damage to a minimum. One thing is clear, that when the river is very high, sections of the path will be submerged and no passage will be possible. So, users be warned !
Co-operation
The work has been made possible by the cooperation of landowners and significant funding from Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland. Both bodies have provided considerable time and expertise in support of the project.
The path construction is being carried out by Grieve Groundworks; and the work has been to a high standard and at a remarkably competitive price. The path is to be mowed and maintained annually by Mains of Murthly farm.
The path will be opened once the grass sward is judged to be robust enough and further works on the section of railway line between The Lagg and Old Grantully Castle Wood have been completed. Readers of “Comment” will be kept informed of progress.
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