£1.3 million Grandtully Visitor Centre officially opened
One of the Scotland’s most popular tourism destinations, Highland Perthshire is renowned for its natural beauty and wide range of outdoor activities. From munro bagging to cycling, white water rafting to woodland walks, thousands of visitors flock to the area each year to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and all that they offer.
As a result, tourism is a major economic driver in the region and latest figures from VisitScotland show that numbers are on the increase (need stats). Whilst this is a positive and much-welcomed statistic, it is imperative that as demand grows, impact on local communities is minimised in line with the sustainable tourism aims of Perth and Kinross Council’s Tourism Action Plan.
As a key part of this agenda, a collaborative effort between Perth and Kinross Council, Paddle Scotland (formerly the Scottish Canoe Association) and 12 other funding partners, has delivered on a £1.3 million project at Grandtully Visitor Management Facilities near Pitlochry.
Officially opened on Thursday, October 3, 2024, the development, made possible through a £375,000 award from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF), aims to improve the experience of visitors to the Grandtully Station Park and the surrounding area.
The opening marks the completion of Phase 2, while Phase 3 has received additional funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for an education centre focused on water safety and outdoor skills training.
This £1.3 million project has been driven by extensive consultation with the local community, which identified key issues such as car parking shortages and a lack of visitor facilities.
Key features of the new facilities include:
- An additional 40 car parking spaces to accommodate increased visitor traffic.
- Accessible facilities, including six accessible toilets and a state-of-the-art ‘Changing Places Toilet’.
- Toilets, showers, and changing rooms available for day visitors and campers alike.
- Enhanced camping options and an active travel hub to promote sustainable tourism and reduce inappropriate camping.
- Installation of six fast electric vehicle (EV) charging points, as well as a campervan service point.
- Improved visitor information, including interpretation signage and a bike shelter with a maintenance point.
Carol Anderson, General Manager of Grandtully Station Park, and Roger Holmes, Development Manager of the project, have worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the facilities support local needs.
Councillor Jack Welch, Depute Convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “The launch of the new Grandtully Visitor Management Facilities is a fantastic step forward for sustainable tourism in our region.
“By enhancing accessibility and improving infrastructure, this development ensures that both visitors and the local community benefit.
“The collaborative effort behind this project, supported by the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, reflects our commitment to balancing tourism growth with community needs. It’s a great example of how we can manage increased visitor numbers while protecting and preserving the character of rural areas like Grandtully.”
Stephen Leckie, Chair of VisitScotland, said: “It’s a pleasure to support the official opening of these new facilities at Grandtully.
“VisitScotland is focused on the responsible growth of tourism and events. To be a sustainable tourism destination, we need to ensure the right facilities are in place to cater for the ever-changing expectations of both visitors and residents. Community engagement is a key part of delivering our goal and the project at Grandtully is a fantastic example of how working together to improve the infrastructure can help both visitors and residents alike.
“The new facilities will help alleviate pressure on parking, improve accessibility, and encourage visitors to get out and about and explore the area on bike or foot. All improvements that will help support responsible tourism and the long-term sustainability of the Perthshire destination.”
Stuart Smith, chief executive of Paddle Scotland, emphasised the project's focus on providing paddle sport opportunities for all, in addition to contributing to the overall visitor experience.
