Geocache treasure hunt set for historic trail

A PIONEERING hi-tech treasure hunt has been launched on a historic trail once used by Scottish cattle thieves in a bid to attract more tourists to one of the most scenic stretches of Eastern Perthshire.

The UK’s first “Geo Tour” in which enthusiasts use GPS technology and a special Android phone app to pinpoint buried “treasure” follows the 64 mile route of the Cateran Trail, once used by cattle rustlers in the 17th Century.

And the aim is to attract some of the five million “geocaching” enthusiasts across the globe now taking part in the increasingly popular sport in a major boost for local tourism.

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The Geo Tour is being spearheaded by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, working in partnership with the Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Tourist Association (BEPTA). The tourist initiative is also being supported by the Forestry Commission and Perth and Kinross Council.

The Cateran Trail - which takes its name from the feared cattle thieves who raided the rich lands of Strathardle, Glenshee and Glen Isla - is a circular route which begins and ends at Blairgowrie.

A spokesman for the countryside trust said: “Building in popularity with adventure-seekers, Geocaching is a treasure hunt style game, in which participants use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to seek out a cache that has been hidden at a specific location. There are over five million registered players worldwide and over two million caches hidden in every corner of the globe. Since hosting the annual UK Mega Cache event in 2010 Perthshire has come to be known as the geocaching capital of Scotland.

“The Cateran Trail GeoTour will be the first based in the UK. “

He explained that enthusiasts joining the trail would use their GPS systems to locate a total of 20 special caches hidden in spectacular locations along the route.

The spokesman continued: “To take part geocachers will record finds in a special passport. Points can be earned by finding caches (1 point), by stopping to eat (2 points) or staying overnight (3 points). A collectable bronze geocoin will be awarded to geocachers who collect 25 points. An antique silver geocoin will be awarded to geocachers who collect 30 points.

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“Visitors can also download the new free Cateran Trail Android phone app and enjoy stories, legends and insights into points of interest along the trail. The app brings the trail to life and will really enrich walks taken by visitors.”

The spokesman added: “The trail can be tackled in five easy stages or walked in four of five days.”

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Mike Cantlay, the chairman of VisitScotland, praised the scheme. He said: “In the Year of Natural Scotland, it is great to see organisations coming up with new and innovative ways in which to promote our country’s breathtaking beauty. Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust’s Cateran Trail GeoTour and Android app will give visitors exciting new ways to explore this stunning region.”

Bob Ellis, the chairman of the local tourist association said: “BEPTA is really excited to be working in partnership with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust on the launch of this exciting new tourism initiative. The Cateran Trail is the number one attraction on Trip Advisor for visitors to the area and BEPTA recognises its importance as an asset to both local people and businesses.

“The beauty of the GeoTour is that it is targeting a new tourism market that is growing rapidly. BEPTA members taking part will display a distinctive GeoTour window sticker and will enjoy additional spend on overnight stays and food and drink from geocachers. We believe it could have the potential to bring a significant economic boost to East Perthshire.”