Path Repaired Alongside Dunkeld Cathedral

The Dunkeld and Birnam Development Trust provides administrative support for local groups such as the Paths and Nature Action Group.

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We are delighted to report the completion of essential repairs to resurface the path that skirts Dunkeld Cathedral. Previously, the stroll between Dunkeld and Dunkeld House Hotel required good balance and hiking footwear on this section after heavy rain.

Before	After

The repairs took place during the week of Storm Bram (8-12 December 2025) by the Paths and Nature Action Group, which proved a real test for the volunteers and staff from Perth and Kinross Greenspace Ranger team. Day One started very wet but then eased with some sunshine and rainbows between light showers. Day Two brought Storm Bram. The remaining base layer was spread but saturated to a porridge consistancy. There then followed two days of drying out before the dust layer could be added.

Raking the base layer.

Mechanical barrows lighten the load

Jane operating the "wacker plate"

Adam operating the mechanical barrow

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Behind The Scenes

The path is located in one of the most sensitive and protected environmental areas of Scotland. Prior to the physical work starting, extensive coordination to gain permissions was required. External bodies needed to be confident that a volunteer group could coordinate to get the job done. In addition to the physical work, preparation behind the scenes took many hours across many months.

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Record Breaking Volunteering?

The stretch of path repaired is more than 100 metres. To raise the path up enough to prevent pooling, 50 tonnes of material were used. By tonnage of material, the path work may be the largest task undertaken to date by a volunteer path group in Perth and Kinross!

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Credit

Thanks are due to many people and organisations but the real driving force behind this work has been Jane and Stewart Pritchard from the Paths and Nature Action Group.

The project was funded by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) and an SSE micro-grant from Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council. For the work itself, volunteers worked closely PKC Greenspace Rangers. Volunteers came from the Paths and Nature Action Group.

We acknowledge permissions and support from Historic and Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Dunkeld House Hotel and Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.