Nature & Wildlife

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.

Beinn A'Ghlo

Taken from just below the summit of Carn Liath (Grey Peak 975m), the summits of Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (Height of the corrie of the round lumps 1070m) and Carn nan Gabhar (Peak of the Goat 1121m) are clearly visible.

This picture copyright Euan Nelson and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

The Bridge Through Ha-Ha, Kenmore Village

The bridge at Ha-Ha can easily be missed as you walk along the North Terrace on the north bank of the River Tay downstream from the bridge at Kenmore. The North Terrace is a broad walk and beech avenue over 2000m long, with Maxwells’s Tower at one end and the Star Battery, a fake gun emplacement used during Queen Victoria’s visit, at the other. The views from the terrace and associated paths closer to the river are many and varied, depending on the twists and turns of the routes, including views along and across the river and to the parks on either side.

This picture copyright Russel Wills and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

Allt Torcaidh

Allt Torcaidh is just one of many burns ("allt" is the Gaelic word for "burn") spilling off the surrounding hillsides and feeding the River Tilt, a popular salmon fishing beat.

This picture copyright Euan Nelson and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.