Perth locals step up to save flood-hit path to popular beauty spot

Part of the path to Buckie Braes was swept away in a flash flood two years ago

By Gordon Bannerman

July 25 2024, 11:47am

Kilmac boss Athole McDonald and Craigie Hill Golf Club’s past captain Paul Fagan inspect the repairs at Buckie Braes. Image: Bannerman Media.

People power has restored safe access to Perth’s Buckie Braes.

Craigie Hill Golf Club teamed up with a community group and local businesses to repair a disintegrating path to the beauty spot.

It comes after a flash flood washed away part of the route in 2022.

The path was reduced to just a foot-and-a-half wide in places.

Perth and Kinross Council put up a temporary fence and warning signs.

But now local users have banded together with businessman Athole McDonald and Tayside groundworks specialists Kilmac to provide a permanent solution.

Buckie Braes Path with metal railing and large chunks of path missing — The Buckie Braes path was in poor shape. Image: Bannerman Media.

A four-strong Kilmac team, led by Perth-based foreman Jimmy Riddoch, spent a week reconstructing the damaged path.

They shored up the base and installed a new fence over the burn.

Mr McDonald is managing director of Kilmac and a long-time member of Craigie Hill Golf Club.

He said the team got permission from SEPA and the Perth and Kinross Flood Team to carry out the repairs.

“We brought in 40 tons of stone rock armour with a dumper via the adjacent golf course,” said Mr McDonald.

Restored path to Buckie Braes with solid timber fencing — The path to Buckie Braes has been made safe. Image: Bannerman Media.

“It was a big job. The path was only 18in wide and in dire danger of deteriorating even further. That would have seen it closed.

“It’s great to see it back in use and being enjoyed safely once again,” he added.

‘Money tight’ but Buckie Braes users committed to maintenance

The six-acre Buckie Braes, near Cherrybank, has been a popular recreational area for more than a century.

It is part of a wider core path network, linking Mailer Hill, St Magdalene’s Hill and Broxden, and is popular with walkers, dog walkers, runners and cyclists.

But safety fears over the path had threatened to restrict access.

Athole McDonald and Craigie Hill golfer Paul Fagan walking on Buckie Braes path — Athole McDonald and Craigie Hill golfer Paul Fagan try out the Buckie Brae path. Image: Bannerman Media.

Former councillor Willie Wilson is chairman of the Buckie Braes Group, which involved representatives of various local organisations with an interest in the area.

He said members were delighted with the result.

“The last flooding incident caused serious erosion to the core path near the top of the Braes and undermined previous restoration work,” he said.

“With money tight everywhere, we are exploring potential ways of maintaining this community asset.”