Dunkeld, Aberfeldy & Loch Tay

In Blairgowrie take the A923 to Dunkeld, passing the Five Lochs – Marlee, Clunie, Butterstone, Craigluish and Lowes. In spring and early summer stop at the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve at Loch of the Lowes and watch the Ospreys on their nest or feeding their young.

Dunkeld

Dunkeld is a very picturesque small town. The 17th century Little Houses in the centre of Dunkeld have been tastefully restored by The National Trust for Scotland – just behind them on the banks of the River Tay lies the 12th century Dunkeld Cathedral. You can walk down to the river for a fine view of the old Dunkeld Bridge, built by Thomas Telford in 1809.

Beatrix Potter spent her summer holidays in nearby Birnam where she created Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle and Jeremy Fisher. A small museum is dedicated to her and her work.

Leaving Dunkeld, join the A9 for about half a mile and turn off at the sign for The Hermitage. This National Trust Forest has a beautiful woodland walk (approx. 3miles) leading to a picturesque folly built in 1758 above a wooded gorge of the River Braan.

Further up on the A9 at Ballinluig, take the turning for Aberfeldy and enjoy a drive trough lovely rolling countryside. A stop at the Highland Chocolatier in Grandtully is a must for chocolate lovers. Aberfeldy’s sights include a Watermill, Black Watch Regiment Monument and the famous Birks of Aberfeldy. This scenic walk has been famous for over 200 years, ever since Robert Burns was moved to write a poem about it. The circular walk, which is also a nature trail, follows a path through woodland, than crosses the Falls of Moness.

Leaving Aberfeldy you can either head south on the A826 trough Glen Cochill, eventually arriving back at Dunkeld – or you can continue on to Kenmore, a pretty town at the eastern head of Loch Tay. Kenmore is well known for water sports and maybe you have time a quick cruise on the Loch.

To return home, head south trough Glen Quaich (single track road), joining the A822 at Amulree, then Dunkeld, Blairgowrie and Alyth.

(Route approximately 60-100 miles / 96-160 km depending on route)