Kilmac support welcomed for Perth community project
![Kilmac support welcomed for Perth community project](https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/uploads/Buckie-Braes-Athole-McDonald-left-and-Paul-Fagan-1152x1536.jpg)
Kilmac managing director Athole McDonald and Craigie Hill Golf Club’s past captain Paul Fagan
The team at Kilmac has played a role in restoring full public access to a popular Perth beauty spot.
The company and Craigie Hill Golf Club teamed up with a community group in the Fair City to tackle a core path which was slipping into a burn.
For more than a century, the area near Cherrybank has been a popular recreational spot and forms an integral part of a wider core path network.
However, after a flash flood washed away part of the route in 2022, Perth and Kinross Council was forced to erect a temporary fence and warning signs.
While several groups have banded together in a bid to secure the long-term future of the six-acre Buckie Braes, those safety fears threatened to restrict access.
Kilmac managing director Athole McDonald, who is a long-time member of the golf club, offered our support for the community project.
After discussions with the Buckie Braes Group, it was agreed to dispatch a team to restore the undermined pathway, which is popular with walkers, dog walkers, runners and cyclists.
![Kilmac support welcomed for Perth community project](https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/uploads/Buckie-Braes.-After-1152x1536.jpg)
A four-strong Kilmac squad under the guidance of Jimmy Riddoch spent a week reconstructing the damaged path.
It is one of several community initiatives being supported by the company across Tayside.
“After securing permission from SEPA and the Perth and Kinross Flood Team to carry out essential repairs, we brought in 40 tons of stone rock armour with a dumper via the adjacent golf course,” explained Jimmy.
“It was a big job. The path was only 18 inches wide and in dire danger of deteriorating even further. That would have seen it closed.
“We sealed it off and created a new sub-base along with installing a new timber rail fence above the burn.
“It’s great to see it back in use and being enjoyed safely once again.”
Former councillor Willie Wilson, chair of the Buckie Braes Group, welcomed the support from Craigie Hill Golf Club and Kilmac.
“The Buckie Braes has always been a popular recreational area and links in with a network of core paths linking Mailer Hill, St Magdalene’s Hill and Broxden,” he explained.
“The last flooding incident caused serious erosion to the core path near the top of the Braes and undermined previous restoration work.
“The Buckie Braes Group features representatives from a wide variety of organisations with the best interests of the area at heart.
“With money tight everywhere, we are exploring potential ways of maintaining this community asset.
“I welcome the roles played by Craigie Hill Golf Club and Kilmac in this community project, which ensures the Buckie Braes can again be accessed safely.”
Paul Fagan, past captain and a Craigie Hill Golf Club board member, said: “The golf club and Kilmac will continue to work with, and add value to the group where possible, and will assess ongoing short-, medium- and long-term initiatives moving forward that will hopefully bring benefit to the people of Perth and beyond as they enjoy Buckie Braes.”