By Claire Elliot

A MINISTER has come up with an unusual way to tell the history of his parish - and keep locals in shape at the same time.

 
Rev Ronnie Gall has drawn up a 50-mile cycle path connecting 10 churches in an effort to keep the history that surrounds them alive.

And, with a number of visitor attractions and eating venues en route, he hopes it will also help to keep businesses booming in difficult economic times.

The route will start and finish at his church in Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, and will pass through various other villages along the way, including Fettercairn, Auchenblae, and Inverbervie.

 
It will include the ruins of one of the earliest Christian foundations in Scotland, and an arch built to commemorate a visit made by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1861.

 
Mr Gall, said: “There is a fascinating history around the churches, which is not really being told at the moment, and it could be made a bit more available.

“A lot of people cycle these days and the idea is to encourage people to take a look at the history because it is rich.

Some of the churches are on 13th century sites.

And he added: “Every community you go through has something - cafes, pubs and shops.”

He said most of the roads infrastructure was already in place for the route, which is still in the planning stages.

 
But to avoid dual-carriageways and A-class roads, work would be needed to improve some sections.

 
To promote the Mearns Cycle Route, signs would be erected along the way and information booklets published to show cyclists where to visit.

Fettercairn Distillery, which was founded in 1824; the Grassic Gibbon Centre, near Laurenckirk, which showcases an exhibition of the author’s work; and St Cyrus Nature Reserve, are some of the attractions the route will incorporate.

Isabella Williamson, manager at the Grassic Gibbon Centre, said: “We get about 7,000 visitors a year but we are always looking for more.

“Anything at all that brings people in this direction is a good thing.”