AITKEN ARBORETUM IS JEWEL IN THE CROWN

Aitken Arboretum is an excellent example of a "green haven close to the city centre", according to Environment Minister Michael Russell, who visited Perth today (Friday 26 September), to officially open the Arboretum and celebrate a major milestone for the region's woodlands.

The Arboretum - inspired by Jim Aitken, a well-known Scottish naturalist and landscape gardener who bequested Ł80,000 to re-invigorate the old arboretum – is being re-designed around the core of remaining big trees with an emphasis on trees suitable for gardens. A stunning array of maples, rowans and birches are gradually being added.

The opening of the Arboretum marks the completion of a Ł1.8m Heritage and Access project across Perthshire’s Big Tree Country. The three year project has conserved outstanding examples of Perthshire's woodland heritage, greatly enhancing the visitor experience by improving recreational access to woodlands and helping to support the area’s economy by increasing visitor numbers.

Environment Minister, Michael Russell, said:

"I am delighted to officially open the Aitken Arboretum which will enhance Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park and ensure future generations will be able to assess a range of magnificent trees and shrubs for the enhancement of their own gardens. Jim Aitken's enthusiasm for the natural world will continue to be shared with others through the Arboretum.

"The Heritage and Access Project has greatly improved access at important tree and woodland sites across Perthshire’s Big Tree Country. This project has drawn together a wide range of experience, skills and funding and the achievements will have far reaching benefits for local people and visitors alike."

Some of the significant improvements also achieved in the project include:

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park - a new all-abilities route allows greater access to the most significant areas of the Park and a most abilities path leads to a 19th century folly with spectacular views down the Tay.
Queens View - the creation of a new path with sculptural features will enable all visitors to reach one of the most notable viewpoints in Scotland
Faskally Wood - an all-abilities route has been created around Loch Dunmore in one of Perthshire's most popular woods
The creation of a DVD of Big Tree Country - highlighting the stunning landscape and recreational opportunities available in Perthshire
Big Tree Country school partnerships – Schools across Perthshire and beyond were visited by the Woodland Bus, and pupils will be taken into woodlands where they will take part in learning in a forest classroom setting
Across Perthshire interpretation panels have been installed at key sites to provoke interest, relate to visitor's experiences, and reveal insights into the woodlands.
The heritage trees that were conserved include the Birnam Oak, thought to be the last remnant of the Birnam Wood immortalised by Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’; the Fortingall Yew, known to be the oldest tree in Europe; Niel Gow’s Oak, under which the famous fiddler composed many of his tunes; and trees said to be connected to the lives of Pontius Pilot, William Wallace and Robert Burns.

Bob Ellis, Chair of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust said:

"This has been the Trust’s biggest project to date. There is a vast potential in Big Tree Country for locals and visitors alike, and this three year project is likely to be just Phase I."

The Heritage and Access Project was delivered as part of Perthshire’s Big Tree Country - a partnership between Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council, Gannochy Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise. The funding came from a range of sources – the partner organisations, Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme, Heritage Lottery Fund, Rural Tayside Leader+, Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Trust, the Aitken bequest, and contributions from private landowners.

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park is jointly managed by Forestry Commission Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council, with the active involvement of Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park User Group.

Notes to editors:
1) Photographs are available on the day. Contact Alan Peebles on 07973706009.
2) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. For more information log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/aboutfcs)
3) The Countryside Trust (PKCT) carries out projects that fulfil its aim to “provide and promote high quality opportunities for countryside access and recreation throughout Perth and Kinross, for the benefit of the community as a whole.” It also offers grants to community groups, organisations and individuals, who wish to develop their own access projects. For more information visit www.pkct.org

Media Enquiries to:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 314 6506 or 07810853508

e-mail: claire.martin@forestry.gsi.gov.uk