Crieff community groups have come together to champion the 10 projects that could transform the town’s fortunes.
The schemes are highlighted in a new Crieff Capital Projects Alignment Plan.
Some, such as the new Crieff Museum, are already making a difference.
The Murray Fountain facelift is under way.
And others, such as the Crieff Cinema and Drummond Arms restoration, are still largely on the drawing board.
But together they have the potential to invigorate Crieff’s future, say chiefs.
David McCann, of the Crieff Community Trust, says the new plan sends a message that everyone is working together for a common goal.
“We’re lucky in Crieff to have so many groups developing their own ambitious projects,” he said.
“But we are also working in partnership for the bigger project, which is Crieff itself.”
What’s happening in the Crieff top ten?
And what do Crieff residents have to look forward to in the months and years to come?
1. Crieff Museum
The new museum and heritage venue opened in Crieff Town Hall at the beginning of May.
It provided a new home for the town’s treasures and a place for the Crieff and Strathearn Museum Trust to share the area’s stories with visitors.
2. Crieff Community Sports Hub
The Crieff Highland Gathering team want to create a permanent home for the annual event – and a centre of excellence for Highland Games.
The ambitious project has already secured £1 million from the Tay Cities Deal and meetings with professional fundraisers are ongoing.
3. Drummond Arms
The abandoned town centre landmark has been an eyesore for years. But ambitious plans to reopen it as a £5m boutique hotel emerged last year.
Drummond Arms Regeneration Limited (DARL) has already spent more than £1m on preserving it and making it safe.
It is now working on grant applications from various funding bodies.
4. Crieff to Comrie Path
Planning permission for a new 9.5km off-road route connecting Comrie and Crieff has been approved.
The path will largely follow the River Earn, providing a safer route for walkers and cyclists.
Just under half of it is currently paved, with a 5km stretch still to be constructed. Discussions with the various landowners are continuing.
5. Murray Fountain
The restoration of the historic Murray Fountain which sits in James Square in the centre of Crieff is currently under way.
Crieff Community Trust has worked with various local groups to secure a total of £135,000 in funding for the project.
The work is due to be complete by July.
6. Strathearn Arts
Founded in 2013, Strathearn Arts has grown to become an important arts and cultural venue for visiting and local artists, craft makers and writers.
There are now plans to redevelop and refurbish its B-listed building at 6 Comrie Street to make it even more accessible and appealing.
The total cost of the project is likely to exceed £3m.
7. Oakbank Link Path
Crieff Community Trust unveiled plans for an all-abilities, off-road, path through Turretbank Wood to Lady Mary’s Walk last year.
This would replace the existing path which is eroded and increasingly impassable when river levels are high.
The works will cost £300,000. It’s hoped construction can begin in March 2025 and conclude by the autumn.
8. Crieff Community Hub
Crieff Connexions already runs a number of services out of the old Penny Lane building in the town centre.
These include a food larder, charity shop, counselling rooms, IT suite, uniform reuse shop and social café.
It currently leases the building and is looking to cement its future by purchasing it. It will require £200,000 to go ahead.
9. Crieff Cinema
It’s hoped the new £3.75m cinema and community hub – to be called the Star Experience – could be open by spring 2026.
It’s planned for the site of the former Crieff Hotel on East High Street.
Crieff’s own Star Wars legend Ewan McGregor has lent his support to the Creative Crieff plans.
10. Crieff Sustainable Reuse Centre
Remake, the community re-use charity, wants to open a much bigger base in Crieff.
The group already diverts more than 50,000kg of waste from landfill every year, as well as running a range of community benefit projects.
Its current reuse and repair hub at Crieff Visitor Centre has reached capacity and a new centre would allow it to do even more.
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