A major bid to rescue Blairgowrie Hill churchyard from the ravages of nature has received high-profile backing from the chief of the Clan MacPherson.
Generations of MacPhersons going back over 200 years have been laid to rest in the graveyard, which has become an overgrown ”jungle”.
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust hopes to return it to its former splendour in a scheme which Sir William MacPherson said is long overdue.
After attending a public meeting in which the plan was laid out, the former High Court judge, of Newton Castle, said: ”It’s a disgrace that it’s been allowed to get into the awful condition it has, particularly the bottom half, which is like a jungle.
”About 25 to 30 years ago, a gang went in and knocked down three quarters of the stones in the graveyard and that was the initial disaster, from which it has never recovered.
”A team tried to do something about it 15 years ago but it didn’t really lead to anything.
”In summer I have cleared out tins of ginger and beer because young people go down there as a retreat for a party but obviously I can’t clear the graveyard.
”We’d hoped the local authority would take it on but I don’t know who’s responsible for maintaining it.
”I think the community will rally round because the goodwill was there and I would back any attempts by the heritage trust in any moves they might make.”
The trust is undertaking preservation work at various grave sites across Perthshire. Member Fiona Fisher explained why Blairgowrie had been chosen and said the initial meeting had been promising.
She said: ”Anti-social use of the churchyard, including littering and dumping, together with access issues at the site, has led to problems with maintenance.
”The lower area has become impenetrable as a result, and the assembled group were in favour of clearing the lower area of its undergrowth.
”There was broad support for the proposed project, including stabilisation of headstones and ground reinstatement in the upper area, from those attending, which included representatives from the community council, Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Local History Trust and Civic Trust.”
The plans have received a setback however, with Perth and Kinross Council deciding earlier this month that full graveyards, including Blairgowrie Hill, should only receive one visit a year by maintenance staff.
A management plan will have to be developed before funding can be sought.
Fiona said: ”Discussions are taking place between council officers, the project and the community to seek a solution. Provided that maintenance can be resolved and funds acquired, it is proposed that community payback offenders would be involved in clearing the material initially cut down.
”All remedial work would be supervised by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust to safeguard the gravestones which lie hidden in amongst the vegetation.
”Once this work is completed, an assessment of the condition of the churchyard’s heritage can be more easily made and conservation work identified and progressed.”
The scheme has the backing of councillor Caroline Shiers.
The matter will be further discussed at the meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council next month.