Recent blog posts - Highland Perthshire Blogs

For an update on how repairs to Dunkeld's Atholl memorial fountain are coming al...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 04 January 2014 in Highland Perthshire

For an update on how repairs to Dunkeld's Atholl memorial fountain are coming along, click on the article below. http://fw.to/OlXd9sQfw.toOriginal linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

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Posted by peter on Wednesday, 01 January 2014 in Highland Perthshire

Timeline PhotosHappy New Year from the National Trust for Scotland! With so much going on, we're looking forward to welcoming you all to our properties throughout 2014! To find out more about the Trust, please visit www.nts.org.ukOriginal linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Wishing you a Happy New Year

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 31 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

On this, the last blog entry from Loch of the Lowes of 2013, I just wanted to let you know that the latest data from our young osprey Blue YD shows him to be basking and fishing on his usual part of the river in Senegal. As he enjoys warm temperatures...

The River Garry at Killiecrankie was pretty high today with all the recent rain...

Posted by peter on Monday, 30 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The River Garry at Killiecrankie was pretty high today with all the recent rain and snow melt.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Wildlife Highlights of 2013

Posted by peter on Sunday, 29 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

As the year winds down and we await the new year turning, it seems like a good time to look back and mention a few of the highlights of 2013 on the Perthshire reserves. My personal highlights of 2013 have included: Our beloved female osprey returning for a 23rd year –...

This was the Hermitage falls on Christmas eve, the water levels are still high s...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 26 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

This was the Hermitage falls on Christmas eve, the water levels are still high so a spectacular place for a holiday walk.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 24. Resting up for the big night ahead. Happy Christmas!

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 24 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 24. Resting up for the big night ahead. Happy Christmas!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

How You Can Help Wildlife in Winter

Posted by peter on Monday, 23 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

One of the most common questions we get asked is how to help winter wildlife so we thought we’d give you our top ten things you can do at home this festive season: Provide consistent food in your garden- a variety of seed sizes and types are ideal. Remember to use clean...

Advent Calendar; Day 23. View from Craigower (Jan 2010) looking west towards Loc...

Posted by peter on Monday, 23 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 23. View from Craigower (Jan 2010) looking west towards Loch Rannoch and Glencoe in the far distance.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 22. Black Linn Falls, the Hermitage Dec 2010.

Posted by peter on Sunday, 22 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 22. Black Linn Falls, the Hermitage Dec 2010.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 21. Snow on a snowberry :)

Posted by peter on Saturday, 21 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 21. Snow on a snowberry :)Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 20. Hungry birds - how many species of bird can you see on...

Posted by peter on Friday, 20 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 20. Hungry birds - how many species of bird can you see on the Killiecrankie feeders?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 19. The cold cold winter of 2010 saw the rivers freeze. Can...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 19 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 19. The cold cold winter of 2010 saw the rivers freeze. Can you spot the otter we saw, braving a fishing trip on the River Braan at the Hermitage?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 18. Have you ever seen this out in the woods after a hard f...

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 18 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 18. Have you ever seen this out in the woods after a hard frost? What do you think it is? We'll give you the answer shortly.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Osprey Udpate 17th Dec

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 17 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Still no news alas of our young osprey Blue YZ who was least heard from in Guinea Bissau a month ago. We are no longer holding out any hope of her transmitter restarting and have only distant hopes that she has survived. I have been asked about her altitude before her...

Advent Calendar; Day 17. Can you spot Ossian's Hall in amongst the snow from Jan...

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 17 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 17. Can you spot Ossian's Hall in amongst the snow from Jan 2010?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 16. What’s your Christmas tree like?

Posted by peter on Monday, 16 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 16. What’s your Christmas tree like?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Season's Greetings from Pitlochry Angling Club

Posted by peter on Sunday, 15 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Another year over and and another almost begun! How fortunate we were to have enjoyed some superb spring salmon fishing in 2013 proving once more that we offer some of the best value-for-money fishing available to the public for salmon and trout.The Pitlochry Dam beats will be available for visitors bookings before...

Advent Calendar; Day 15. What do you think made these prints in the snow?

Posted by peter on Sunday, 15 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 15. What do you think made these prints in the snow?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 15. What do you think made these prints in the snow?

Posted by peter on Sunday, 15 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 15. What do you think made these prints in the snow?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 14. A snowy Killiecrankie Jan 2013. Not sure we'll be seei...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 14 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 14. A snowy Killiecrankie Jan 2013. Not sure we'll be seeing much snow this month with the mild weather we're having!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Sleep Through Christmas For Some Of You

Posted by peter on Friday, 13 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Sleep Through Christmas?For some of you, sleeping through Christmas might seem like an attractive option. Bats should be sleeping just now but the mild weather has wakened them and many have been spotted both in twilight and during the day. The warm weather triggers them to wake up and go and...

Advent Calendar; Day 13. A snowy Dunkeld Dec 2010.

Posted by peter on Friday, 13 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 13. A snowy Dunkeld Dec 2010.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

From a Winter Volunteer 12th Dec 2013

Posted by peter on Thursday, 12 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Hello, I am Chantal, one of the two winter residential Volunteers at Loch of the Lowes. It has been a great week so far, as I have been able to participate in the daily bird counts on the loch where I’ve observed lots of waterfowl including Teal, Wigeon, Greylag and Canada...

Advent Calendar; Day 12. Don’t forget to stock up on bird food for the holidays,...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 12 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 12. Don’t forget to stock up on bird food for the holidays, birds like this siskin at killiecrankie like treats as well.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 11. We hope you are enjoying our Calendar, if you would lik...

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 11 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 11. We hope you are enjoying our Calendar, if you would like to help care for these wonderful places and our work, why not become a member and support us all year around. Visit the Ell Shop in Dunkeld, open until Christmas (it may or may not look...

Osprey Update 10th Dec 2013

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Sorry for the couple of days delay to our usual updates- just a few technical glitches this week! Our surviving young osprey in Africa, Blue YD’s movements this week have been routine, alternating his time between his favourite roost spots, and hunting over the Senegal river. His most adventurous day was...

Advent Calendar; Day 10. Jelly "antler" fungus :)

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 10. Jelly "antler" fungus :)Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

A great gift idea - and supporting the Trust's conservation efforts too!

Posted by peter on Monday, 09 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

A great gift idea - and supporting the Trust's conservation efforts too!This Christmas, we think you lot can do better than a boring jumper. Choose battle scarred helmets, legendary stories and brilliant days out instead. With Gift Membership from only £21, give brilliant... not boring! http://www.nts.org.uk/nts-giftOriginal linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger...

Advent Calendar; Day 9. A frozen Soldier's Leap Dec 2010.

Posted by peter on Monday, 09 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 9. A frozen Soldier's Leap Dec 2010.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 8. Squirrels don't hibernate but are less active in winter....

Posted by peter on Sunday, 08 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 8. Squirrels don't hibernate but are less active in winter. This one was munching on peanuts at Killiecrankie last December-think he's a bit camera shy!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 7. It’s Dunkeld Santa Day! He arrives in The Cross at 1.30p...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 07 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 7. It’s Dunkeld Santa Day! He arrives in The Cross at 1.30pm. Visit www.dunkeldandbirnam.org.uk for the full programme.Welcome to Dunkeld and Birnamwww.dunkeldandbirnam.org.ukVisitor information for Dunkeld and Birnam, Perthshire, including accommodation, things to see and do, walking and cycling, food and drink.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 6. Tomorrow is Dunkelds main Christmas event ‘Santa day! A...

Posted by peter on Friday, 06 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 6. Tomorrow is Dunkelds main Christmas event ‘Santa day! Apart from the obvious visitor you never know who else will be there! This polar bear was a previous visitor, who was in the costume? Visit www.dunkeldandbirman.org.uk for the full days programme.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 5. No not Narnia but the Hermitage back in Dec 2010. Do you...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 05 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 5. No not Narnia but the Hermitage back in Dec 2010. Do you think we'll get a white Christmas like this?Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Dunkeld's Christmas tree is now up but it took quite a few folk to help get it i...

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 04 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Dunkeld's Christmas tree is now up but it took quite a few folk to help get it in place today. A bigger tree this year, meant we even needed the help of the army - thanks everyone!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Advent Calendar; Day 4. The Dunkeld Christmas tree goes up today - this was last...

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 04 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 4. The Dunkeld Christmas tree goes up today - this was last year’s tree. Look out for a photo of this year’s tree later.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Christmas is coming…

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 03 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

With Christmas now fast approaching are you struggling to find the perfect gifts for your friends & loved ones? If so, we may be able to help you!… Here at Loch of the Lowes we have a wide variety of wildlife-themed gifts, from children’s stocking fillers through to limited edition photos...

Advent Calendar; Day 3. Linn of Tummel Jan 2011 - ranger Louise standing next to...

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 03 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 3. Linn of Tummel Jan 2011 - ranger Louise standing next to some of the river ice that was starting to break up.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Osprey Update 2nd December

Posted by peter on Monday, 02 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Our young Osprey Blue YD ( 2012) is still doing well in Africa and has stayed in his usual haunts on the Senegal/ Mauritania border this week. Just how much these birds are creatures of habit is revealed by the picture below, which shows how often he has used a particular...

Advent Calendar; Day 2. Killiecrankie Feb 2013

Posted by peter on Monday, 02 December 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Advent Calendar; Day 2. Killiecrankie Feb 2013Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

WORK AT PORTNACRAIG FOOTBRIDGE

Posted by peter on Saturday, 30 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Portnacraig Footbridge 30/11/13. Note the scaffolding on the main supportsExtensive refurbishment work is taking place on Portnacraig Footbridge, so it is closed just now. As can be seen from the second photo, it is scheduled to reopen at 5pm on 20 December, which means it will be open again for the start...

Osprey Q and A : 29th November 2013

Posted by peter on Friday, 29 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

As we all contemplate the probable loss of this years Loch of the Lowes hatchling Blue YZ on her first migration in Africa, there are understandably a lot of questions. Some we may never be able to answer with absolute certainty- such as exactly what caused her loss. Discussing others can...

Osprey Update 26th November

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 26 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Still no news of Blue YZ which sadly means we are unlikely to make contact with her again- it does look most likely we’ve tragically lost her in Guinea Bissau. Lots of people have asked about why she might have perished and of course, there are many possibilities. One is that...

Our Wildlife is Ready for Winter

Posted by peter on Thursday, 21 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The hills have had their second full carpetting of snow here after a wild stormy day on Wednesday with proper blizzards. If you want to come out to the hills now, full winter gear is recommended - ice-axe, crampons and winter boots. Many of the tracks are icy - so you need...

Blue YD – latest news

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Whilst we’ve all been worrying about Blue YZ over the past ten days or so, our other satellite tagged bird from 2012, Blue YD, has been a busy young osprey, making another of his periodic trips to the Senegalese coast and back. Late morning on the 9th he left his favoured...

Grave Concerns for Blue YZ

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Unfortunately it looks like there may be a problem with our young satellite tracked osprey, Blue YZ, whose fascinating first migration we have been following so avidly this autumn. Despite several attempts over the last week to access data from her tracking device, the satellite is not showing any new data...

Wildlife Diary 15th November 2013

Posted by peter on Friday, 15 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Autumn continues apace here at Loch of the Lowes. The brilliant reds, oranges & yellows of early autumn are gradually fading as the trees lose their leaves and those remaining take on deeper shades of brown. The woodland birds & red squirrels, sensing the impending arrival of winter are frantically to-ing...

Highland Perthshire in November

Posted by peter on Sunday, 10 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

It only seems a few weeks ago that we were all complaining that it was too hot, and looking forward to the cooler temperatures of autumn. As the seasons change, the glen shows its different faces, each with its own beauty: October may be past, and with it...

Do you think these roe deer, that were caught on the trail camera at Killiecrank...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 09 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Do you think these roe deer, that were caught on the trail camera at Killiecrankie, wanted to see if we had reached 200 "likes" yet? Share if you spot the 2nd deer in the shot and help us get 200 "likes".Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Sadly one of our car park pay machines was stolen from the Hermitage (between 6p...

Posted by peter on Friday, 08 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Sadly one of our car park pay machines was stolen from the Hermitage (between 6pm Sunday and 1.30pm Tuesday). As the NTS is a charity, the money from the parking meters raises funds for the conservation of the Hermitage. If anybody saw anything suspicious please let us know.https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-ash1/1063679_187446551307751_1344820357_s.jpgTayside PoliceTHEFT OF PARKING...

Osprey Satellite Tracking Update 8th Nov

Posted by peter on Friday, 08 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Both our young ospreys are doing well and are still in their respective wintering areas in Africa. Blue YZ has moved a whole 5 miles in the last few days, to an area slightly downriver of her previous location. It is interesting in this close-up map to see her exploring relatively...

The BBC's 'Landward' recently filmed it's programme links at The Hermitage. Bei...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 07 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The BBC's 'Landward' recently filmed it's programme links at The Hermitage. Being broadcast this evening Friday 8th November at 7pm on BBC2 Scotland.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

A mysterious looking Pass of Killiecrankie in the fog this morning.

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 06 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

A mysterious looking Pass of Killiecrankie in the fog this morning.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Osprey Diary 4th November

Posted by peter on Monday, 04 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Our two young ospreys in Africa continue to do well and the good news is that our 2013 chick Blue YZ seems to have found herself a winter territory in Guinea Bissau for now. He latest satellite tracking data shows her sticking around a delta in the Quinara region between the...

The recent heavy rains and frosts are speeding up the change from autumn to wint...

Posted by peter on Monday, 04 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The recent heavy rains and frosts are speeding up the change from autumn to winter but the falls at Linn of Tummel were still looking great with the mix of colours at the weekend.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Visitor Centre Winter Opening

Posted by peter on Friday, 01 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

As of today the Visitor Centre here at Loch of the Lowes has switched to our winter opening pattern. Consequently the centre is now open (weather permitting) Friday, Saturday & Sunday only, from 10:30am-4pm. The observation hide remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Crannog Hide & the...

Here are some of the great batty pencil holders that the kids made during our Ha...

Posted by peter on Friday, 01 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Here are some of the great batty pencil holders that the kids made during our Halloween event yesterday, at Killiecrankie.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre: Just a reminder that the centre is now closed unti...

Posted by peter on Friday, 01 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre: Just a reminder that the centre is now closed until 1st April 2014. All walks remain open and the toilets and cafe will be open until Sunday 3rd November.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Wild Weather Winter Suddenly Seems To

Posted by peter on Friday, 01 November 2013 in Highland Perthshire

WILD WEATHERWinter suddenly seems to have arrived in Blair Atholl. Torrential rain, hugely swollen rivers and snow on the hills added to the long dark evenings have definitely made it feel like winter is upon us.River Tilt in spate The Witches Rock - not such a good place for swimming today! The...

Killiecrankie's visitors may be spellbound today!

Posted by peter on Thursday, 31 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Killiecrankie's visitors may be spellbound today!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Osprey Migration Q and A, 29th Oct

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 29 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Some great questions coming in to our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. address about osprey migration- do you have a question not answered by our FAQ’s ( tab at top of this page)? Q: Did Blue YZ overshoot her destination and will she make her way back to the Senegal area where so many others...

Wildlife Diary Monday 29th October

Posted by peter on Monday, 28 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Our chick Blue YZ is still in Guinea Bissau, she seems to have stopped for now dotting around a river and it’s tributaries roosting and fishing which is just what you’d expect from a young Osprey. Whether she stays there remains to be seen so we’ll watch with interest will she...

Osprey Satellite Tracking Update 27th October

Posted by peter on Sunday, 27 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Our two young birds in Africa continue to do well and are sending us fascinating information regularly. Their transmitter tags are programmed to collect location information every hour , where available, and then transmit that info to the satellite at set intervals: during peak migration, every 2 days, but as of...

Couldn’t resist posting another one of the Killiecrankie team at today’s Wheelba...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 26 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Couldn’t resist posting another one of the Killiecrankie team at today’s Wheelbarrow processionOriginal linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Diary 26th October

Posted by peter on Saturday, 26 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The loch is looking wonderful today with the fantastic colours of autumn reflecting on the water. The water level is very high at the moment following recent heavy rainfall. Fallow deer continue to rut & bucks & hinds have been sighted today from the hides. Slavonian grebes were spotted on the...

Well done to Ossian's train which won 3rd place in this morning's community deco...

Posted by peter on Saturday, 26 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Well done to Ossian's train which won 3rd place in this morning's community decorated wheelbarrow procession in Dunkeld, seen here are the NTS team celebrating with Dougie MacLean.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Alba's enjoying her first autumn out on the properties and is having great fun p...

Posted by peter on Friday, 25 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Alba's enjoying her first autumn out on the properties and is having great fun playing in all the fallen leaves.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Just a reminder - if you're in the Dunkeld area this saturday (26th), remember t...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 24 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Just a reminder - if you're in the Dunkeld area this saturday (26th), remember to come and cheer on our wheelbarrow entry during this fun event :)Decorated Wheelbarrow Processionwww.highlandperthshire.orgTourist information for Highland Perthshire, Scotland, including Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, Kinloch Rannoch and Blair Atholl.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Here's this month's mystery picture. On which North Perthshire property will you...

Posted by peter on Thursday, 24 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

Here's this month's mystery picture. On which North Perthshire property will you find this feature? Bonus marks if you know what it commemorates!Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...

Wildlife Diary 23rd October

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 23 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

With all the excitement about our young Osprey Blue YZ completing her first migration successfully, we’ve been forgetting somewhat to keep you up to date with what else is happening at Loch of the Lowes and SWT’s other Perthshire reserves this autumn. After the first decent summer for several years, we...

The autumn colours are really coming on now. This was the Pass of Killiecrankie...

Posted by peter on Tuesday, 22 October 2013 in Highland Perthshire

The autumn colours are really coming on now. This was the Pass of Killiecrankie this morning- looking quite atmospheric with the mist too. Enjoy the colours if you're out and about over the next week or so.Original linkOriginal author: North Perthshire Ranger Service...