Big Five Nature & Wildlife in Aberfeldy, Loch Tay & Glen Lyon

Weem Meadow

Weem Meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), not well known although it is only a stone's throw from Aberfeldy. It is not far along the footpath from Aberfeldy to Kenmore - NN8479 4898. Weem Meadow SSSI lies to the west of Wade's Bridge in Aberfeldy, and is one of the very few hay meadows left in Scotland and the only one in Perthshire known to be managed with a traditional hay cropping regime. This management allows a huge diversity of plants to thrive - with botanists recording over 150 different species on the site. Parking is available in nearby Aberfeldy. The path is accessible to most, or you can drive over the Wade Bridge.

Meadow Images are Copyright of SNH & Lorne Gill

Glen Lyon

Scotland's longest, loneliest, loveliest glen...

Glen Lyon is one of Scotland's most beautiful glens and it is packed with history. It is infamous for having been the home of John Cambell of Glen Lyon - responsible for the Glen Coe massacre.

If you are visiting the area by car, then Glen Lyon is an absolute must. Be warned though, some parts of the road are very narrow with potholes and cracks, don't forget the bends and twists. The road follows the river for the first couple of miles then it opens up slightly, it is single track all the way. The trip from Kenmore to Killin takes a good few hours. While you are on your journey, be sure to drop in at the Bridge of Balgie for a cream tea at the local Post Office & Tearoom by the banks of the River Lyon.

Glenlyon House rests at the west end of Fortingall village, dating back to 1694. To the west, the River Lyon emerges from the steep sided rocky jaws of Glen Lyon itself. Watch out for the arch of a packhorse bridge crossing a tributary below a waterfall on the south bank of the River Lyon, this is known as the Roman Bridge, though seems to date back to the 1600s or 1700s. Further on are the ruins of Carnbane Castle, these stand on top of a spur of high ground on the north side of the river above the road. The castle dates back to the 1500s, built by Red Duncan Campbell the Hospitable, who was not quite so hospitable that he overlooked the inclusion of gun-loops in the design. The castle was burned down during a raid by cattle thieves, and has stood as a ruin ever since.

The tiny hamlet of Invervar is best known as the starting point for the walk round the "Glen Lyon Horseshoe", a circuit of four Munros, or individual mountains over 3000ft high, to the north: Carn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Carn Mairg and Meall na Aighean. Assuming you are driving rather than hillwalking, the next highlight along the glen is St Adamnan's Cross (or St Adomnán's Cross) on top of an embankment on the left hand side of the road just before you reach the farmstead at Camusvrachan. This is a stone which leans over to one side and carries a cross on two faces. It is named after Adomnán, Abbot of Iona from 679 to 704. There are suggestions that Adomnán visited Glen Lyon on a number of occasions en route from Iona to Pictish Atholl, and the cross is one of a number of objects named after or dedicated to him in the area.

In Glenlyon Church at Innerwick you can see St Adomnán's Bell, believed to date back to the 700s and found in the churchyard of the ruined St Brandon's Chapel in the glen. Not far from Glenlyon Church is the Glen Lyon War Memorial which is situated next to the road. A little further is Bridge of Balgie, home to the glen's beautiful post office and a tearoom. From Bridge of Balgie an adventurous single track road provides an alternative route into or out of the glen as it climbs to a height of 1,800ft over the flank of Ben Lawers before descending to Loch Tay, east of Killin. Please note this minor road is not kept open in winter conditions. The glen opens up west of Bridge of Balgie, it is worth looking out for the spectacularly white Meggernie Castle close to the river south of the road, you will only catch a brief glimpse from the main road. Meggernie Castle was the traditional home of the Campbells of Glen Lyon, Lairds included Captain Robert Campbell, who led the government troops who committed the Glencoe Massacre.

A branch in the road beyond Meggernie Castle allows you to turn north west towards Loch an Diamh and its surrounding Munros, including Meall Buidhe. The alternative is to press on into the ever wider spaces of the western end of Glen Lyon. You will pass power stations at Stronuich and Cashlie and the remains of a series of homesteads. A cairn on a hill to the right of the road remembers Robert Campbell (albeit a different one), noted for his exploration of north west Canada. As you approach Pubil and Lubreoch, the glen is increasingly dominated by the massive Lubreoch Dam, whose construction in the 1950s created the five mile long Loch Lyon as part of a wider hydro-electric scheme. The head of Glen Lyon is an intriguing place, with the far end of the loch being only four miles from Bridge of Orchy and the West Highland Railway.

Glen Lyon has an abundance of botanical interests, nature and wildlife (buzzards, ptarmigan, grouse, deer to name but a few) - make sure you have your camera at the ready!

If you fancy a stroll, you can walk along the river bank from Bridge of Balgie to Roro Estate then return back along the road, or take the footpath to Rannoch (even going up a short way can be rewarding) or walks along Loch Lyon and Loch an Daimh can be as short or as long as you fancy.

Birks of Aberfeldy

Follow in the footsteps of our national bard, Robert Burns

Over the centuries, thousands of visitors have been inspired by the natural beauty of the gorge. The Birks of Aberfeldy is a popular circular walk through wonderful mixed woodland on the outskirts of Aberfeldy. The Falls of Moness tumble through the gorge and provide a dramatic centrepiece, especially impressive after heavy rainfall. Robert Burns visited in 1787 and was so inspired that he wrote the poem 'The Birks of Aberfeldie'.

A quote from one of the verses sums up the splendid scene:
"The braes ascend like lofty wa's,
The foaming stream deep-roarin' fa's
O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws
The birks of Aberfeldy"

A narrow, well defined path is overhung by mature trees and rises to a height of 150 metres at a bridge directly above the Falls of Moness. From here there are splendid views of the roaring white water beneath and, in winter, fine views over the top of the woodland to the valley of Strathtay. This 4km circular walk is accessible from the centre of Aberfeldy or from the Birks Car Park off the A826. There are seats and viewpoints along the way. For those not so mobile, there is a picnic area at the car park which gives a good flavour of the walk. There is also a short tree trail identifying a large number of species. The gorge is a place of immense natural power and beauty in any season but perhaps most photogenic in the cooler days of late autumn.

The Birks (Scots for birch trees) still cloak the steep slopes of the Moness gorge, along with oak, ash, elm and willow. Remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest can be found in steep, inaccessible parts and it is likely that, in places, there has been continuous woodland cover for around 5000 years. More recent tree planting took place in the area in the late 1780's.

Many woodland plants flower in the spring and early summer before the leaves of the trees fully unfold. A stroll through the Birks in May or June will reveal wildflowers such as red campion, yellow pimpernel, bugle and sweet woodruff. The aromatic smell of wild wood garlic or ramsons is another lovely spring feature - look out for clusters of starry, white flowers on the woodland floor.

Much of the gorge is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its rich plant and animal life. The cool, damp climate is perfect for mosses and it is possible to see at least ten different kinds, in a small area, on the bank near Burns' Seat. In Japan, mosses are highly valued and moss gardens are popular for their tranquillity.

Birds seen and heard most frequently are those of the woodland and waterside. The variety of habitats provides shelter, nest sites and a variety of ready meals. Warblers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers are among many species that make their home in the trees. Pied and Grey Wagtails flit busily across the water, wagging their tails up and down. Dippers are recognisable by their strange dipping motion and striking white bib. They also have an amazing ability to walk along stream beds, underwater and against the current, as they search for grubs and insects amongst the stones.

Keltneyburn Nature Reserve

Fantastic wildflower meadow containing, amongst other plants, eight different species of orchid. Many butterfly and dragonfly species can also be found here.

Follow the steep track up to the reserve. There is a rough waymarked trail within the meadow; please stay on this trail as this will prevent wild orchids being trampled.

Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve

Ben Lawers Nature Reserve is a range of mountains, connecting ridges, cliffs and lochans, built of ancient rocks, folded and faulted in picturesque contortions, and home to the most celebrated collection of mountain plants in Britain. These surviving outliers of the arctic and alpine floras, relict and isolated, require sensitive protection and management.

Be alert and you may be rewarded with exciting sightings of the following:

Black grouse: In decline, but gaining from our enhancement of its woodland and moorland habitats.
Mammals: Tell-tale signs such as droppings, footprints and burrows may be all that is seen of wary beasts such as fox, wildcat or otter.
Mountain ringlet: Our best known special butterfly, a local, upland species, abundant here on sunny days in July.
Raven: Hard to miss as it proclaims its presence with a loud throaty croak, and displays its aerobatic skills.
Frog: Thrives on these hills, and often jumps just under your feet!

The mountain plants discovered in the 18th century are the reason why most field botanists aspire to visit these hills at least once. They are the reason why the Trust bought these hills – to conserve the rare plant communities and species of national and international importance. Ben Lawers is home to several of our rarest plants, such as alpine gentian, alpine woodsia, alpine mouse–ear, alpine saxifrage, alpine fleabane & alpine gentian, to name but a few...

Experience the varied plants and wildlife on the Reserve by walking around the Nature Trail, an area slowly returning to a dynamic, sparse, patchy woodland habitat for an increased variety of life. This 1km loop passes close to the Edramucky Burn, before climbing gently out of the gorge to reveal stunning views of Loch Tay and the mountains beyond.

Please don’t pick the wild plants. Leave them for everyone to enjoy!

Click here to see all the guided walks and events at Ben Lawers Nature Reserve.