Pitlochry Partnership's Background & Aims

Arising from those decisions, representatives from all sectors of the community were invited to a meeting on 12 September 2006. Those present agreed unanimously to create a new organisation that would span the entire community and meet the needs of our businesses, visitors, local community organisations and residents. That decision was conditional on the new organisation being able to generate sufficient funds to enable it to develop an effective presence and function.

Following a successful grant application to Awards for All, which provided funding to instigate the start up phase, the Pitlochry Partnership began work on 1 January 2007 with Ian Brown as Chairperson. In order to support the voluntary work of the busy committee members, it appointed a co-ordinator, Dennys Campbell, to help facilitate its ambitions and aims.

Objectives

The Pitlochry Partnership aims to:
Promote, support and assist those who work in and about our local and surrounding communities;
Improve the infrastructure to support, develop and promote tourism and other business interests in the Pitlochry area and establish Pitlochry as one of Scotland’s premier all year round destinations;
Organise, promote and support local events and activities.;
Stimulate economic and community activities in the Pitlochry area;
Promote and encourage quality in the physical environment and in the standards provided by tourism and other businesses based or operating in the Pitlochry area.

"PP is working closely with local and national government agencies, as well as representing the community at regional and national forums, with the aim of creating awareness of our town and all the unique qualities it offers," said Dennys. "We are also developing strong partnerships that will create continued economic benefit for our community. In addition, we are attempting to secure long term funding to ensure that our objectives can be given every opportunity to achieve their full potential."

Activities
In a short period the Partnership has attracted wide support and, since it started recruiting, it has quickly grown to over sixty members. "Since we began operation at the beginning of the year, we have been engaged in a wide variety of activities, besides our work with local and government agencies," Dennys continued.

"These have included supporting the work of local organisations such as the Major Events Committee, Atholl Curling Rink and the Atholl (Highlanders) Rugby Club, to mention just a few. We have also assisted with the organisation of Etape Caledonia and the formation of the Enchanted Forest Pitlochry Group.

"We have launched the Pitlochry web site www.pitlochry.org that was so long in development, and while we know that this urgently requires further input, at least we have an active site that serves Pitlochry. We all need to work together to improve and develop the site, however it has received enough hits already to significantly improve the search engine rankings. Any advice or contribution to help us improve our work will be gratefully received."

Strategic Plan
PP’s current primary task, which has taken up its full attention, is the creation of its strategic plan. This will draw on the strengths within the community with the aim of further enhancing Pitlochry for everyone’s benefit and firmly establishing the town as a premier, all-year-round tourism destination.

"The Partnership has been created as a result of Pitlochry’s strong, dynamic and vibrant community and we are here to offer further support and encourage our society to grow from strength to strength and become known throughout Scotland, the UK and further afield as the ‘Welcoming Community’," said Dennys.

PP would welcome support and active membership. For further information on how to become a member, or about the aims and objectives,contact the co-ordinator Dennys Campbell by email at dennys.campbell@pitlochry.org.uk or on (01350) 720015.

Alternatively you can speak to any of the committee members listed below:

Ian Brown (Chair), Mark Wood (Vice-Chair), Sheena Brennan (Secretary), Sandy Wilson (Treasurer), Stephen Carruthers, Annie Hibberd, Tony Hibberd, Cllr. Eleanor Howie, Cathy Joss, Angus John McLellan, Peter Miller, Davina Sheriff, Stuart Shilcock and Derek Allen (contact details available from Dennys Campbell on request)