Plans to make tourist attraction of Perthshire scenic road

Plans have been made to increase the appeal of the Devil’s Elbow to tourists from Scotland and beyond.

The route to Glenshee, officially known as the A93, is famous for its tricky gradients and series of hairpin curves that make it a challenging drive enjoyed by classic car and motorbike fans.

The road was improved during the 1960s to speed up journey times, but the original route - which crosses the Cairngorms through stunning landscapes - still remains.

Local body the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has voiced its plans to provide new walking routes, information panels and a new stopover point on the route.

Plans to attract tourists to the area are part of the Scottish Scenic Routes scheme run by the CNPA, which will see similar tourist spots created at Corgarff and Tomintoul in Aberdeenshire.

The winning design for the Glenshee attraction was provided by designers Daniel Smith and Philip Zoechbauer, who are keen to see the “uncelebrated” site redeveloped. The two saw off competition from over 70 different designs across the three projects.

Mr Zoechbauer said: “The proposal draws on the morphology of the old road as it existed prior to it being straightened, which followed the curve of the contours to navigate topography, to create a new meandering path cut into the hillside, connecting a lay-by to an existing path which is currently difficult to access.”

One of the most famous photos of the Devil’s Elbow is from 1967 and shows the Queen being driven to Balmoral by Prince Philip, as crowds wave from the roadside.

Artists have also been chosen to create the Tomintoul and Corgarff projects, which are expected later this year. Deputy Conenor of the CNPA board Brian Wood said: “This will encourage more people to experience and enjoy these breathaking landscapes of the Cairngorms”.

In total, 72 proposals were received for the three projects.

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