Messing about in boats has always been a great British tradition and any excuse for taking to the water is readily seized on.
The introduction of boat trips from Broughty Ferry to Perth will have gladdened the hearts of many would-be mariners and could herald a resurgence in importance of what has become a sadly under-utilised asset — the River Tay.
Not so many years ago the river was a busy thoroughfare for goods from around Britain’s coastline and the continent heading to Dundee and onwards to the inland port at Perth.
The growth of the railway and the switch of moving goods on to the roads led to a sharp decline in the river’s importance as a commercial route.
While the introduction of pleasure trips from Broughty Ferry to Perth might seem small beer compared to the glory days of the past, might it be the start of a new and lucrative use for the Tay?
Perth’s ambitions are firmly set on becoming a European tourist destination of some note while Dundee’s past prosperity has firmly moved from its industrial heyday to the promise of a new bright future with the draw of the soon-to-be-completed V&A.
Proudly jutting out into the waters of the Tay what could be more inviting to visitors to the V&A then to take to the river and head for Perth which will also soon boast its own £20 million cultural attraction in the shape of the redeveloped city hall?
If the new trips prove popular it is more than likely that the service will be expanded, providing a real link between Perth and Dundee, to the benefit of both.
Both cities were founded because of their proximity to the River Tay, let’s hope that a rediscovery of the importance of the river will play an important role in their Renaissance.
