Bungee-jumping off Garry Bridge gets go-head

THRILL-SEEKERS look set to flock to Killiecrankie, soon to be part of the Cairngorms National Park,  after the first permanent bungee-jumping platform in the UK was given the go-ahead.

 

Murray Trail, who works with adventure tourism company Highland Fling – based at the Nae Limits unit in Ballinluig – outlined the economic benefits jumping 50m from a base underneath the Garry Bridge would bring.

 

He told this week’s meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee: “We chose Highland Perthshire because it’s already established within the adventure tourism industry.

 

“Bungee-jumping has been commercially viable throughout the world for 25 years.

 

“Successful companies that have been around for that length of time are still experiencing growth.

 

“We expect the overall economic benefit for the area to be around £3m in year one and around £4.5m the following year.”

 

The jump platform is on the underside of the Garry Bridge, which spans the River Garry before joining the B8019 to Tummel Bridge.

 

Spectator pods will also be set-up in a small clearing off the wooded walk at the popular Pass of Killiecrankie beauty spot.

 

The operation will be run from the Killiecrankie visitor centre – run by the Natural Trust for Scotland – with shuttle buses taking people to the site.

 

Mr Trail said he hoped jumpers and spectators would explore local beauty spots as well as going in search of an adrenaline rush.