View from the Garry Bridge
Perth and Kinross councillors will today meet to decide whether to approve plans for the construction of the UK’s first dedicated bungee jumping platform.
The structure would be built from the Garry Bridge (on Walkhighlands’ Bealach na Searmoin walk between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie). A company, Highland Fling, has been set up especially to promote the development.
Phillip Riddle, chair of VisitScotland, was reported on the BBC as stressing the economic importance of adventure tourism, “whether it’s climbing, or walking, sailing, or bungee jumping”, whilst the John Muir Trust warned that there is a danger that such developments could harm the wild landscapes that attract visitors.
UPDATE: 21/1/2010 The scheme has now been given approval and is likely to start operating in May. Perth and Kinross councillors did impose a number of conditions, including one prohibiting jumps before 10am and another stating there can only be only three jumps a month after dark. The platform must be completely removed and the bridge fully restored if the project is not a commercial success.