“There is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
So spoke the character of the water rat in Kenneth Grahame’s beloved Wind in the Willows novel.
These words have been taken to heart by a Perth business keen to make the most of the Fair City’s river setting.
Less than four months after reopening, Willowgate Fishery has embraced a new venture to promote aquatic tourism.
Site operator, the Tay Salmon Fisheries Company will work with Wilderness SUP to offer river trips with a difference.
After receiving a visit from a group of stand-up paddle boarders, chairman David Clarke was inspired to offer the activity from the firm’s base in the shadow of the Friarton Bridge.
He said: “We are in the process of developing the Perth City Activity Centre and we are working with a number of groups and organisations to develop a programme of outdoor adventure activities.
“The caf and fishing ponds provide an excellent base and facility for various outdoor activity groups.
“We have worked in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council’s Outdoor Education team to provide canoeing sessions for school groups on the ponds at Willowgate, and also Perth UHI students.”
Mr Clarke also told The Courier that he hopes to mix the old with the new by operating rides on traditional salmon coble boats alongside the paddle boards.
Experienced guides will be available on each boat and will provide a history of the river Tay.
Plans are also in place to introduce two large canoes to deal with bigger groups.
The initiative is just one small part of multi-million-pound proposals by the council to create a riverside leisure and tourism development.
Over the next decade,water taxis into the heart of the city could be introduced at West Kinfauns.
A 10-year master plan, developed by Tay Salmon Fisheries in partnership with the local authority, estimates the park and sail facility will cost at least £1.8 million.