Great Views

Strathbraan

Perthshire's secret storybook strath and glens... Amulree, Strathbraan and Glen Quaich lie within a golden triangle, between Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and the Sma Glen. Peaceful, secluded, and off the beaten path, but minutes from the A9, the main Scottish arterial route and the mainline railway station of Dunkeld and Birnam.

Established more than two centuries past as one of Scotland's first tourist routes, the charms, secrets, lively characters and stunning landscapes have been little known, slumbering in the half light of history. The area brims with characters, from centuries past to the present day residents. Their combined vitality and creative talents keep this area very much alive.

Swashbuckling legends such as Rob Roy and Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through here. The road building colossus General George Wade constructed his many miles of Military routes here. Poet William Wordsworth penned an ode to 'The Lonely Inn' at Amulree. Visit Loch Freuchie in Glen Quaich, enjoy a pitcure-postcard setting with an abundance of wildlife and idyllic walks. Make sure you take a minute to visit Amulree & Strathbraan Church, pop inside to view the information display on the history of the area.

An artist who relished this quiet area was Pre Raphaelite painter Sir John Everrett Millais. He loved painting away his summer holidays over 20 years, renting Rumbling Bridge cottage, which became a hotbed of scandal as he eloped with Ruskin's wife, Perth born Effie Gray. The cottage still stands, as do the scenes of his painting. Later, European Royalty fanned out over the moors from a nearby turreted shooting lodge.

Musical legends lived and loved here, such as famous fiddle player Niel Gow; while legendary modern musicians such as Pete Clark keep his genius alive. Beatrix Potter's inspiration figure for Mrs Tiggywinkle spent her early childhood on a remote farm here.

This is fungi foraging country; hares race across the fields, ospreys, red kites and buzzards fly overhead. The very tallest of 'Big Trees' grow here, from the highest Douglas Fir at the Hermitage to an impressive half mile avenue of ancient oaks.

Walks span well marked riverside routes, and little known tracks. Explore hidden places such as one of the highest hill passes in Scotland, the mystical deserted fairy village in Ballinloan, the Hermitage Routes, drove roads, heritage paths, Wade Roads, wild swimming and quad biking.

View an magical map of Strathbraan by clicking here... seeing really is believing!

Carn Liath

Carn Liath (Grey Mountain) stands at 975m and is the lowest of the Bein a'Ghlo's (Hills of the Mist) three summits, the other peaks being Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (Height of the corrie of the round lumps) and Carn nan Gabhar (Peak of the Goat). It is an extremely popular climb amongst hill walkers (ranked 181 of 283 Munros), as perhaps evidenced by the badly-eroded track to the summit.

Hill Fort Above Glen Garr, Near Dunkeld

This hill fort on Craig Obney above Glen Garr has tremendous 360 degree views. You can reach it by following the Glen Garr path from Balhomish above Birnam, then branching off left as you walk towards Upper Obney.

Image © ronnie leask and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Innerwick Kirk, Glenlyon

This white painted kirk was built in 1828 with government funds provided under an 1823 Act of Parliament "for building additional places of worship in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland" A total of 42 new Parliamentary churches were built; many of them to the plans and specification of Thomas Telford (see Dunkeld Bridge). A Celtic bell, believed to date from the 8^th century and known as ‘St Adomnán's Bell’ is kept in a recess in the porch of the church.

Picture copyright Gordon Hatton and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

Cup Marked Rock on Birnam Hill

These ancient rock carvings are thousands of years old, and almost always are to be found in areas with lovely open views. This is certainly true of this example on Birnam Hill, just above Rohallion Castle.

Best visited in the winter or spring before the bracken grows too high, by taking a short detour from the main Birnam Hill path.