Peeblesshire Paths Group
The Peeblesshire Paths Group (PPG) is a group of local volunteers who assist in the maintenance of a number of paths in the Peeblesshire area including part of the Tweed Valley Railway path (Peebles to Cardrona). Thanks to a grant from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme, PPG has been able to purchase a petrol-driven weed wiper machine, enabling them to work more efficiently at keeping their local path network in top condition.
The Tweed Valley Railway Path follows a picturesque route along the Tweed, providing a traffic-free connection between Peebles and nearby Cardrona. This quiet and smoothly surfaced route is well-used for walking, cycling and wheeling – and this shared usage makes it particularly important that the full width of the path is available. PPG works to clear vegetation encroaching on the edges of the path. Thanks to the purchase of a hydraulic two-wheel tractor with weed wiper head, PPG can now work much faster and more efficiently.
Key to the project’s wide-reaching impact is PPG’s commitment to sharing the machine with neighbouring communities through Innerleithen and Walkerburn Community Trusts, who maintain the paths in their own areas too.
PPG is a sub-group under the umbrella of Peebles Community Trust, you can find out more about their work at https://peeblescommunity.org/
Total project costs: £7960.00
Grant awarded: £7960.00 (100% of total costs)
One weed wiper machine purchased
Members of three community groups trained up to use the machine
25 volunteers helped with path maintenance in 2025
42 hours of volunteer time contributed in 2025
The acquisition of the Kersten K1500 tractor has allowed us to retrieve the edge of the path from encroaching growth of moss and other vegetation – previously done manually by volunteers using shovels. It is more effective and greater distances can be covered. It gives the volunteers more satisfaction, more rewarding. It also adds to the skill set in handling the machine. It gives the advantage of being able to work with other groups, Innerleithen and Walkerburn Community Trusts, promoting joint enterprise.
Impact of the grant on PPG’s activities
The Community Grants Scheme was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.
Find out more about Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme