www.pkct.org

2013 - 2014

Annual ReportAnnual Report

Trustee’s ReportWe are pleased to present our annual report for 2013/14, which details how we have delivered our aim of providing, improving and promoting access to the countryside for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and canoeists in Perth & Kinross. Our beautiful and varied countryside offers so much opportunity and it has been satisfying to work with the local communities and other partners identified in the individual accounts to achieve positive outcomes for the benefit of locals, visitors and tourism. This year has, however, had its challenges and we have reviewed and strengthened our governance and other procedures to ensure that we run our business as efficiently as we can to make the best use of our resources. We are pleased with what we have achieved and are confident that the Trust is in a sound position to continue to deliver in future years. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our supporting partners the Perth & Kinross Council, Gannochy Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage for their ongoing financial and advisory support over the year. We are also extremely grateful to other funders who are identified through this report. Our work would not have been possible if we had not had willing partners amongst local communities and other organisations and thank them for their enthusiasm.

Perthshire Big Tree CountryThe Year of Natural Scotland was promoted and the Trust took the lead in Perthshire highlighting the areas outstanding natural beauty and providing inspiring ideas on how both locals and visitors could explore it. To showcase the wealth of opportunities in the natural environment of Perth & Kinross, a comprehensive online database of events was created on the www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk website and promoted through social media. Some of the key events were: the Snowdrop Festival; Perthshire Amber Discoveries; Enchanted Forest and the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival.

Assessments of the 15 Big Tree Country Phase 1 sites were undertaken. A report was prepared with cost estimates for remedial repairs. Partnership working with the Big Tree Country Steering Group continued, looking to identify funding sources to deliver remedial repairs and to explore options to develop a new suite of sites. Tree surgery work at Cluny House Gardens was also carried out.

Achievements and Performance

Community ProjectsThe Trust continues to support work in local communities:

�•� �Continued�support�of�the�Loch Rannoch Conservation Association in pursuing path improvements, carrying out path surveys, producing path improvements specifications and completing funding applications of behalf of the community.

•� �Appointed�by�the�Gannochy�Trust�to�oversee�the�final�phase�of�the�Loch Leven Heritage Trail and manage their grant of £70,000 to TRACKS towards the works.

•� �Ongoing�support�of�the�community�in�Aberfeldy�by�liaising�with�Highland Perthshire Cycling and the Upper Tay Paths Group. Advised on funding sources, path surveys and specifications.

•� �Continued�support�of�the�Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust by advising on path improvements and part funding the role of project officer to work on landowner agreements and secure further funding.

•� �Worked� with� the� Crieff Community Trust to secure £5,000 from TACTRAN to develop a feasibility study for Acorn Dell.

National Tree Collection of ScotlandThe NTCS continued to develop site management and investment plans for a range of key sites e.g. the development of a key interpretation strategy for the designed landscape surrounding the Dunkeld House Estate. More information can be found at www.nationaltreecollectionscotland.co.uk

Other projects include:•� �The� design� and� print� of� a� new� ‘Take� the� Bus� for� a�

Walk’�leaflet.

•� �The� development� of� new� education� project� entitled�Big Tree Explorers.

•� �Playing�an�active�role�in�the�management�of�the�Aitken�Arboretum�at�Kinnoull�Hill�Woodland�Park.

Supporting Big Tree Country£49,370 was raised this year through the scheme with £37,120 confirmed income from Gleneagles Hotel and £12,250 from Hilton Dunkeld Hotel. Gleneagles further supported the Perthshire Big Tree Country project in kind by hosting the annual Big Tree Country lecture. The Trust remains extremely grateful for their valuable support.

iCONic ProjectContinued� employment� of� the� iCONic� Project� Officer� to�pioneer the conservation of threatened conifer species. Several major plantings took place as well as a seed collecting expedition. The rare seedlings and young plants collected are destined for a range of sites within Perthshire and will act as a valuable conservation tool.

Cateran Trail and Strategic RoutesManaged,�maintained,�improved�and�promoted�the�Cateran�Trail�as�Scotland’s�first�circular�‘long�distance�route’,�and�one�of�‘Scotland’s�Great�Trails’.�Launched�a�number�of�key�projects�to�promote�the�Trail�including:

•� �an�eye-catching�new�leaflet�which�can�be�downloaded�at�www.caterantrail.org

•� �a�new�and�innovative�mobile�phone�app�to�give�visitors�to�the�Trail�easy�access�to�information�on�the�go.�The�app�allows walkers to explore the Trail while reading stories about the hidden history of the people and the places along the way. The app is available to download from Google PlayStore.

•� �The�first�UK�based�GeoTour�to�encourage�tourists�to�the�Trail.�The�aim�was�to�tap�into�the�growing�popularity�of�geocaching�–�a�high-tech,�treasure�hunting�game�in�which�participants�use�Global�Positioning�Systems�(GPS)�to�seek�out a cache that has been hidden at a specific location.

Griffin ForestWorked�with�the�Council�to�deliver�a�new�path�and�full�signage�project,�including�new�interpretation�boards�in�Griffin�Forest,�Aberfeldy.�500�metres�of�new�path�were�constructed�near�Loch�Kennard�and�over�32�kilometres�of�forest�tracks�were sign posted across the whole of Griffen Forest.

Loch Broom PathManaged�a�contract�to�create�a�new�mountain�bike�and�walking�route�near�to�Loch�Broom�on�Atholl�Estates.�This�involved�creating a firm, well drained path through a 1 km section of moorland and bog. The path effectively creates an off road link between Kirkmichael, Dunkeld and Pitlochry giving access to over 35km of waymarked paths. The Trust also secured £7,000 from TACTRAN to create further improvements to the route on Pitcarmick Estate.

The Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp The event organisers of the Yomp gifted the Trust £2,264 which allowed for three ladder stiles to be replaced with self-closing�gates,�making�access�easier�and�safer.�Further�grant�support�from�the�Trust�allowed�for�1km�of�stock�fencing�to be erected on Pitcarmick Estate to keep sheep off the Trail.

River Earn PathManaged a contract to substantially improve public access on the River Earn Path between Muthill and Crieff. Ten dilapidated�kissing�gates�were�replaced�with�new�self-closing�gates�and�fallen�trees�were�cleared�from�the�popular�path�that�runs�through�Sallyardoch�Wood�near�Muthill.�The�project�created�path�improvements�to�5.5km�of�the�route.

Tay Landscape PartnershipThe� Tay� Landscape� Partnership,� a� major� project� recently� undertaken� in� partnership� with� Perth� and� Kinross� Heritage�Trust,� was� successful� this� year� in� securing� funding� of� £1,435,500� from� the� Heritage� Lottery� Fund� to� support� the�conservation of the unique Tay landscape. This will involve over 40 organisations in delivering 29 projects. These will include a programme of archaeological excavations, the protection and enhancement of the distinctive clay buildings of the Carse of Gowrie, while the surviving historic orchards will be protected. Access to the Tay will be improved with new paths networks and other initiatives to encourage people down onto the river. The Trust believes this extensive and long term project will greatly enhance the amenity of the area and bring considerable benefit to the people of Perth. Full details are available at www.taylp.org.

Financial Report

Expenditure 2013/14

During the year the Trust carried on various projects for which grants and other payments were made totalling £351,628. As at 31 March 2014 the Trust has £130,147 available for the support of projects. Much of this is held as Restricted Funds for specific projects.

Income 2013/14 £Perth & Kinross Council 106,333Gannochy Trust 120,000Forestry Commission 69,323NHMF�Lottery�Fund�� 6,914Gleneagles Project 40,000Scottish Executive 11,001Quality�of�Life�Trust�� 5,000Murthly & Strathbraan Estates 4,554TACTRAN 12,000Ryder�Cup�GreenDrive�Outreach� 14,000Ernest Cook 10,000Dunkeld Hilton Hotel 12,250Tay�Landscape�Partnership�� 9,021Scottish Natural Heritage 25,166Bank Interest receivable 230Other�income� 276

Total income £446,068

£Projects 147,075Grants 204,390Auditors’�remuneration� 3,450Auditors’�remuneration for non-audit work 4,050Support Costs 215,207Bank Charges 163

Total Expenditure £574,335

Net Funds (£128,267)

PKCT�is�a�company�limited�by�guarantee,�Company�No.�SC173308�and�is�a�recognised�Scottish�charity�SCO27481

Executive Committee MembersCouncillor R Ellis (Chairman)

Mr S MacLeod, the Gannochy Trust

Mr S Baillie, Scottish Enterprise�-� resigned 6 December 2013

Mr A Hamilton�-� resigned 20 September 2013

Mr M MacKenzie, the Gannochy Trust

Mrs C Deasley,�Scottish�Natural�Heritage�-� succeeded by David Bale October 2013

Councillor C Shiers�-� resigned 27 November 2013

Mr A Dorward

Mr M Strachan, Forestry Commission Scotland

Mr P Schofield -� appointed 21 June 2013

The day to day work of the Trust was carried out by the following members of staff:

Paul McLennan, Manager�-� retired January 2013

Andrew Barrie, Strategic Routes Officer

Bid Strachan, Communities and Grants Officer

Kirsty Scott, Promotion and Awareness Officer

Pullar House 35 Kinnoull Street Perth PH1 5GDTel: 01738 475255 Email: info@pkct.org www.pkct.org

Promoting the Work of the TrustIf you would like to find out about the ongoing work of the

Trust you can visit any of the four websites we manage.

www.pkct.orgwww.twitter.com/pkcountryside

www.facebook.com/pkcountryside

www.caterantrail.orgwww.twitter.com/caterantrail

www.facebook.com/caterantrail

www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.ukwww.twitter.com/bigtreecountry

www.facebook.com/bigtreecountry

www.iconictrees.orgwww.twitter.com/btciconic

www.facebook.com/btciconic