Crieff Community Trust is excited to update you on plans for a new all-abilities path linking Turretbank Wood to the rest of the much-loved Lady Mary’s Walk.

A 20 week construction project will commence in early November 2025 and complete by the end of March 2026 to build a new all abilities path to link the Oakbank community to MacRosty Park. The route will pass between the old railway abutments on Lady Mary’s walk up onto higher ground and connect to the path from Laggan Road, south of the wooden bridge. Once completed the path will provide a year round facility, more resilient to flooding and water damage.

This project was made possible thanks to the support and generosity of Sir Brian and Lady Elizabeth Souter for allowing Crieff Community Trust to make use of the route of the former railway through Turretbank Wood and also to Perth & Kinross Council for permitting the route to cross their land to link to the path from Laggan Road. In addition thanks are extended to our many funders who include at the Design stage: Paths for All and the Ian Findlay Path Fund and technical delivery by designers Transport Planning & Engineering (TP&E), with support from Perth & Kinross Council, with project management from Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), and Construction funding from The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, The Gannochy Trust, PKC’sCommunity Environment Challenge Fund, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Mushroom Trust and The Barrack Charitable Trust. For more information from Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust please click here.

The benefits will be wide-reaching: easier access for families, those with limited mobility, wheelchair users, and local groups; improved wellbeing and recreation opportunities; and a stronger draw for visitors and tourists. In the longer term, we also hope the route will form part of the planned Crieff to Comrie path and the Pilgrim’s Way, further boosting Crieff as a destination.

This project directly reflects the priorities set out in the Crieff Community Action Plan 2021–26, which called for more and better access to green space, inclusive outdoor activities, and the development of a green network connecting the town to the countryside.

We are grateful for the support of local councillors, partners and funders, and we look forward to keeping you updated as the project moves forward.