The people of Scone armed themselves with knowledge about tackling flooding which has blighted their community in recent months.
Dozens of residents attended a public information session organised in the wake of serious incidents including surface flooding and the collapse of a barrel drain which runs through the town.
Perth and Kinross Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), the Scottish Flood Forum and Scottish Water all had representatives at the Wheel Inn to answer questions.
A map displaying the controversial barrel drain’s route through the village also gave residents a first glimpse of its full course.
Shortly before Christmas, it collapsed at two points under the doorway of a home in Perth Road and in the car park of the Wheel Inn causing gaping holes to appear in the ground.
There are fears further collapses along the drain, which runs from the north of the village, alongside Angus Road to an outfall at the Annaty Burn, could cause further damage.
The waterway, parts of which have been culverted or piped during subsequent building work, has been surveyed by the council but deemed uneconomical to upgrade in its entirety.
The council has made clear any damage is the responsibility of individuals across whose land the barrel drain passes.
Peter Olsen, secretary of Scone Community Council, said he was delighted by the success of the meeting.
He said: “We pushed for this for a long, long time, since the problem first emerged.
“We need to find out who’s responsible and what’s to be done in the future to stop it happening again. We needed people to come and ask questions of these organisations and for them to waylay any of those peoples’ worries.
“It appears that where the barrel drain goes under properties, each individual in those properties is responsible.
“That brings up questions of insurance whether people have enough and whether the companies will put it up and, if so, whether it will be by postcode, which will affect everyone in the village.
“It has been a great opportunity to speak to people about such issues.”
Mr Olsen said it was no surprise the various agencies are refusing to take on the cost of fixing and upgrading the barrel drain estimated at anything up to £2 million.
He said: “We got a letter from the council saying it was down to each individual where the drain runs through their land.
“The whole area has been designated by Sepa as a flood risk and as time goes by they will be looking to give more advice.
“But half the battle is knowing what’s happening and knowing whether it’s time to make inquiries of insurance companies because it’s not just going to go away,” he said.
The community council will hold further discussions on the information gleaned at its meeting in the institute on Monday at 7.30pm.
Councillor Lewis Simpson said: “I’m pleased the different agencies involved have supported this by attending and bringing comprehensive maps and information.
“What we’re looking for is a sustainable solution to the problem, not finger-pointing.
“We need some sort of masterplan to ensure the entire length of this piece of infrastructure is fit for purpose and there are no more nasty surprises from it happening again.
“I’m concerned there is still building going on over the top of it but am delighted the related problems are being addressed,” he said.
“I want to thank the people of Scone for turning out in great numbers and to the agencies for staying into the evening to ensure everyone is better informed. This is a great first step.”