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Aberfeldy, Loch Tay and Glen Lyon
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any on the images below to enlarge!
 Aberfeldy, Loch Tay and Glen Lyon are associated with
Scotland’s ancient history and traditions. They are set in
spectacular Highland scenery, far from the pressures of today’s
big cities. You will discover a totally different world with water
sports, castles, gardens, biking, walks, food and music
festivals: there is much to see and enjoy. Here we tempt you to
come and explore this fascinating part of Highland Scotland. For
information, call Tel:01887 820276
www.aberfeldy.co.uk
Castle Menzies - an outstanding example
of a 16C “Z” plan fortified house. The seat of the Chiefs of
Clan Menzies and still owned by the Menzies Clan who were
heavily involved in the turbulent history of the highlands,
including giving hospitality to ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ in 1746.
See the Menzies Claymore (sword) used by the Chief at the Battle
of
 Bannockburn.
One of the few castles still owned by a clan today, it has been
renovated and restored to it’s original condition at the time it
was built in the 1550’s. Today the castle is available for hire
for weddings, ceilidhs and functions. Open 1 April to mid
October Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm Adults
£5, Conc. £4. Children £2. Clan Museum and gift Shop. 1mile West
of Aberfeldy on the B846 Tel: 01887 820982
www.menzies.com
 Dewar’s
World of Whisky. A whisky experience which will challenge
your skills and senses, as it guides you through the
extraordinary people, adventurous spirits and ground breaking
innovations of Dewar’s. See a world first from 1898 - the first
ever cinema advert made for a drinks product. Try out our
interactive blending game and nosing table and see if you have
the skills to be a Master Blender. Starting with a 10 minute
introductory film in our atmospheric theatre,
 move
through a re-creation of Lord Dewar’s Edwardian study, a
blending room, 1950’s advertising agency, finishing in the
present day with our nosing table and brand display. Try a dram
of Aberfeldy Single Malt or Dewar’s 12 before heading off for a
guided tour of Aberfeldy distillery. Enjoy a light snack in our
coffee shop. Open 7 days (closed Sunday in winter). Tel 01887
822010. Follow signs for Aberfeldy.
 The
Scottish Crannog Centre. Award-winning heritage
attraction featuring guided tours of a re-created Celtic
loch-dwelling; Exhibition Centre with videos, original artefacts
& lively, “hands-on” crafts. Lochside walk. Gift Shop,
refreshments, Events. Open daily 15 Mar to 31 Oct: 10am to
5.30pm, last entry 4.30pm. Nov: Sat/Sun 10 to 4pm, last entry
3pm. Kenmore, Loch Tay
www.crannog.co.uk
Tel:01887 830583
St
Mary’s Church, Grandtully. Alexander Stewart of Grandtully
endowed the church in 1533. The wooden ceiling is decorated with
the coats of arms of families connected with the Stewarts of
Grandtully. The main feature is a panel depicting a death scene
and the last judgement. Free Entry. Historic Scotland. Off the
A827 Aberfeldy to Ballinluig road at Pitcairn farm.
Cluny
House Gardens
is a 6 acre Himalayan woodland garden,situated on a hillside
overlooking the scenic Strathtay valley. See red squirrels! The
aspect, climate and soil are ideal for growing Primulas,
Meconopsis, Trilliums, Rhododendrons Lilies and many species of
trees and shrubs. Open daily from March 1 to Oct. 31, 10am to
6pm. Adults £4.00, children under 16 free. Tel: 01887 820795
Signposted from the Weem and Grandtully junctions of Strathtay
to Weem Rd.
The
Black Watch (Am Freiceadan Dubh) is so named to
distinguish it from regular troops who wore red uniforms (Saoghdearan
Dearg - red soldiers). Six independant companies were raised in
1725. The Black Watch became the 43rd Regiment in May 1740 and
mustered in a field on the northern side of Wade’s Bridge and
Aberfeldy. Originally it only enlisted Highlanders, both
officers and privates who favoured the Hanoverian cause.
Memorial beside the bridge north of Aberfeldy.
 The
Birks of Aberfeldy inspired Robert Burns to write his poem
of the same name after a visit in August 1787. The circular 1.5
mile path (allow 1.5 to 2hrs) follows the path alongside the
Moness Burn. What you see today is the product of the past, not
the recent past but of millions of years. Waterfalls are a
feature of these hanging valleys where side streams drop down
steep slopes into the main valley. From the centre of Aberfeldy,
take the A826 road to Crief for 200yds. The Birks of Aberfeldy
is on your right. Excellent leaflet and map available in the car
park.
 Bolfracks
Gardens. These beautiful gardens overlooking the Tay valley
include a walled garden with borders of trees, shrubs &
perennials & a burn garden with rhododendrons, azaleas, primulas,
meconopsis, etc., in a woodland setting. With masses of bulbs in
spring & good autumn colours, a must for all garden lovers. No
dogs please. Open 7 days 10 to 6pm. Apr 1 to Oct 31. Admission
£4.00, under 16s free. 2 mls W of Aberfeldy on the A827.
 Croft
Moraig, ‘Mary’s croft’, is a stone circle comprised of eight
standing stones in an oval setting at about 7m diameter followed
by a second circle of twelve standing stones about 12m in
diameter. Excavations in 1965 found pottery of local Neolithic
origin dating to 300BC. Access through the gate into the field.
Explanation plaques tell you the whole story. Situated on the
left of the road just metres after the farm entrance. (See map
on back page.)
 Kenmore.
In 1572 a hostel (today's Kenmore Hotel see above) was built in
Kenmore by Colin Campbell as he wanted an ale house more
conveniently situated for himself and his family. In 1760 the
distinctive cottages either side of the square were built and
fourteen years later the Bridge over the Tay was built. Today
the village reflects this distinctive style from over 200 years
ago.
 Weem
Village, ‘Cave’, existed in 1235 and was the centre of
religious and economic importance for the whole area. The Weem
Old Parish Church is one of a handful of surviving churches
built between 1560 and 1620. Today it is the Menzies Mausoleum.
 The
Fortingall Yew Tree is estimated as being between 3,000 and
5,000 years old. Acknowledged as Europe’s oldest tree. In 1769
the tree’s girth was 56ft (over 17 metres). Tradition has it
that Pontius Pilate was born here whilst his father was on a
mission from Ceasar to a Caledonii King. The Yew tree is in
Fortingall church yard. Open all year, free entry.
Glen Lyon, the ‘Crooked
Glen of Stones’, is sometimes said to be ‘the most beautiful
glen in the whole of Scotland.’ There is certainly a very
distinct feeling when you enter this glen that you are somewhere
very special.
The much photographed Ruined Stone Bridge on the opposite
bank dates from the late 18thC. Carnban ‘White Cairn’
Castle was built in 1564 by the Laird of Glen Lyon. It had
previously been the site of the home of the hated McNab who had
terrorised the local tenants. When you reach Bridge of Balgie,
take the road to Loch Tay up through the high mountain pass.
Ben Lawers Visitor Centre has a nature trail and
audio-visual programme with a special children’s version.
Aberfeldy, Loch Tay and Glen Lyon / Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie / Dunkeld and Birnam / Pitlochry / Strathtummel a | 
