Perth and Kinross could become nirvana for those yearning for the good life, if plans to create a new eco-holiday park get the go ahead.
Proposals to create a new development near Amulree, incorporating 30 holiday homes and a visitor centre, are to be considered by Perth and Kinross Council in the coming weeks.
Teepees, yurts, timber cabins and wigwams are among the proposed accommodation on offer.
Visitors may also have the opportunity to stay in luxury log cabins, straw bale homes or rammed earth cob houses.
Applicant Iver Salvesen and EVSS Forestry Limited claim the new facility will provide signs and information about a nearby Iron Age fort and General Wade’s Road, as well as encourage cultural day trips to Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Perth, thus conserving and enhancing the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Within the site there will be information on red and black grouse which are native to the site area. It is also envisaged that a visitor farm area will be created at a later date, showing Highland cattle and sheep.
The shop will provide locally sourced and ‘slow foods’ in an attempt to provide an outlet for Scottish farms.
Any visitors arriving by train at a nearby station in Dunkeld and Birnam could also be transferred to the facility using an electric vehicle, under the plans.
The entire development may provide a total of 29 full-time and seasonal jobs.
A report by Iver Salvesen and EVSS Forestry Limited said: “We believe that this site will provide a significant tourism income to Highland Perthshire, as well as creating long-term, sustainable jobs and training in a growing set of construction and renewable technology businesses.
“The site when built should provide in the region of 15-20 rural jobs in the ongoing management and maintenance of the tourism facilities.”
The applicants believe the visitor centre itself should “provide permanent staffing of five employees with an additional four summer jobs”.
