An increasing number of abandoned railway lines are being brought back into a form of use as walking routes.
The latest to be rejuvenated is the old line on the outskirts of Coupar Angus, which is being reborn as an important part of the new Meadowside Path.
The project is being brought to life by the Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust thanks to grant funding from Foundation Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council.
It follows the 2012 upgrade of Thorn Alley, a historic path through open countryside that connects Candlehouse Lane with Dundee Road.
Though a relatively short length of the railway line will be incorporated into the new path, it is hoped that it can be extended in the future.
In the longer term, the trust’s ambition is to join the walking routes in and around Coupar Angus to those at Newtyle in Angus.
The existing circular routes around Coupar Angus offer a diversity of terrains, from riverside walks and historic rights of way to the new railway line core paths, called Meadowside Path.
A network of core paths in Strathmore will be signposted in the coming months by Perth and Kinross Council, helping walkers to keep to designated pathways.
Trust project officer Jill Davies said: “This new path links Dundee Road with Larghan Victory Park without using the main roads. It is relatively flat so will be idea for the whole family.”
Trust chair Allan Grant said he was delighted to see part of the old railway brought back into use.
“The new path is relatively short but it will be quite useful in getting people out and about for a walk,” he said.
“The thing about railway lines is that they have relatively long straights and very few sharp bends or steep slopes, so they are quite good as walking routes.”
He added: “The trust will continue to look for opportunities to improve the local path network as funding becomes available.”
The trust will be at the Coupar Angus Community Market on Saturday April 19 to share details of the new path and offer information to walkers.
Anyone who would like further details can email Jill at cartrust@btconnect.com.