Big Tree Country www.perthshire.co.uk What to see and do in the great outdoors Welcome to Perthshire Here in the green heart of Scotland is a magnificent, varied landscape boasting some of Europe’s most remarkable trees and woodlands. Our spectacular countryside changes colour from season to season reaching an autumnal woodland crescendo with blazing red and gold leaves still visible in mid-November. Many of our local woods, forests and and don’t forget our network of eight country gardens are open to the public Tourist Information Centres (TICs), and, as an added bonus, most are free offering friendly advice and a wide of charge! Perthshire has a fascinating range of books and maps (see pg 31). range of things to do and see for all the family and you'll find the options for Contents walking, cycling and watching wildlife are plentiful. Cycle or walk along forest 3. Big Tree Country tracks, gorges and riverside trails, 5. The Call of the Wild keeping your eyes and ears peeled for a glimpse of remarkable birds and 8. Walking & Cycling Highlights animals. 9. Highland Perthshire Deer, pine marten and red squirrels are 19. Perth & East Perthshire all inhabitants of our forests. You may 23. South & West Perthshire even spot a rare osprey nesting among the top branches of our tallest 28. Seasons to Celebrate evergreens. Alternatively, why not find a 29. Access & Safety quiet spot and relax with a drawing pad and pencil or a pair of binoculars and 31. Further Information Sources soak up the fresh air and scenery…. 32. Outdoor Operators after all you can’t be active all the time! 33. Win a Short Break Use this guide to help you discover 34. Travel Information some of the best outdoor spots in Perthshire, including all our Big Tree 35. Map & Key to Symbols Country sites and some real ‘hidden 36. Make the Most of your gems’. Many locations have on-site information panels giving further details Stay in Perthshire on their own particular highlights… 1 www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk Big Tree Country Famous the world over for its superb natural environment and outstanding tree and woodland heritage, Perthshire is known as Big Tree Country. Our forests and woods offer an unrivalled assortment of glorious greenery, a perfect playground for those who enjoy the outdoors - and all within easy reach. It's tree therapy on a grand scale! We Are The Champions Perthshire is packed with high and mighty trees, including the following rich mix of reputed record breakers: ◗ Tallest hedge in the world Meikleour beech hedge (H 30m, L 530m) ◗ Oldest living thing in Europe Fortingall yew (estimated 3000 – 9000 years old) 1. ◗ Largest yew in Europe Fortingall yew (G 17m) ◗ Tallest Sitka spruce in Britain ◗ One of the tallest trees in Britain Strathearn (H 61m, G 5m) A Douglas fir near the Hermitage ◗ Tallest Japanese larch in Britain (H 64.5m) Diana’s Grove at Blair Castle ◗ Widest conifer in Britain (H 44m, G 3m) Wellingtonia at Cluny House 1. Diana’s Grove, Blair Atholl Gardens (H 39.5m, G 11m) Front Cover Main pic:- Bruar Falls, Blair Atholl ◗ Fastest growing stand of trees in UK Inset pics from left:- Cyclists at Allt Mhor, Kinloch Rannoch; Japanese larches; Loch Rannoch and Grand firs at Dalguise Schiehallion; the elusive Scottish wildcat. 2 Big Tree Country Alongside this striking heritage of ancient trees, Perthshire can also claim to be the birthplace of modern Scottish forestry. In the early 17th century, Sir Duncan Campbell began planting up the bare slopes of Drummond Hill, near Kenmore. Lords of the Larch It was the ‘Planting’ Dukes of Atholl, These noble planters completely however, who introduced forestry on a transformed the Perthshire landscape large scale. Between 1738 and 1830 and today visitors can enjoy mile upon the family planted some 27 million mile of mature, productive and varied conifers – for ‘beauty and profit’ - forest. around Dunkeld. 2. 3. 1. The Hermitage, Dunkeld 2. Fabulous Fungus! 3. Rowan Berries 4. Archibald Menzies 1. 5. David Douglas 6. Admiring a fine Douglas fir 3 www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk Men of the World Scotland has a proud history of plant collecting. Two men widely regarded as being amongst the greatest of all plant hunters came from Perthshire: Archibald Menzies from Aberfeldy and David 4. 5. Douglas from Scone. Archibald Menzies (1754 -1842) was a surgeon-naturalist with the Royal Navy. Many species now commonly grown in this country were initially recorded by Menzies. He also introduced the weird and wonderful looking monkey puzzle tree to Europe, having come across the seeds whilst having dinner in Chile! At the age of just 11, David Douglas (1799 -1834) began training as a gardener at Scone Palace. He later sailed to America and worked under extremely difficult conditions in his quest to find new plants and trees. Douglas introduced more than 200 new plants to Britain, including some of our most important trees and commonly grown garden flowers. Rooted in History Trees have long been part of Perthshire’s cultural heritage. At Birnam a gnarled oak is thought to be the last survivor of the wood made famous in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’. On the banks of the Tay, famous Scots fiddler, Niel Gow, is commemorated in an oak bearing his name. While, national bard, Robert Burns, wrote two poems in praise of Perthshire trees - ‘The Birks of Aberfeldie’ and ‘The Humble Petition of Bruar Water’. 6. 4 The call of the wild Perthshire is renowned as a land of remarkable natural beauty, rich in many different habitats that support an astonishing array of species. Mountain, glen, river, loch and wood - each has its own magic and is home to all kinds of wildlife. The possibilities for getting close to nature are endless! Stroll through broadleaved, mixed and Remnants of the ancient Caledonian conifer woodlands and you'll come into pinewoods are also a haven for a huge contact with the wildly charismatic variety of birds, animals and insects residents. A highlight of your visit could including capercaillie, pine marten and be a glimpse of a young roe deer, a red the Scottish crossbill. And don't forget squirrel or maybe a brightly coloured to look on the forest floor for wood woodpecker drumming on a tree trunk. ants and fascinating fungi. 1. 2. 3. 5 www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk Spring There's plenty drama on the water too. See the magnificent spectacle of ◗ Bluebells carpet the woodland floor breeding osprey at Loch of the Lowes or visit one of the many natural salmon ◗ Purple saxifrage flowering on leaps. To the south, Loch Leven is a Ben Lawers wildlife hotspot of global importance ◗ The last snows of winter linger on for ducks and other wildfowl. high mountains The action continues in the hills. Hear ◗ Willow warblers and other the stags roaring in the October dusk songbirds sing their hearts out or take a trip to Ben Lawers, one of ◗ Trees come alive with fresh green the best places in Britain to see buds mountain plants. Keep an eye out for golden eagle and other birds of prey soaring and hunting over the upland areas. On the moorland, red grouse Summer and ptarmigan make their home. ◗ Dragonflies and damselflies bask on Perthshire is an extra-ordinary place warm stones for wildlife. So go quietly, and who ◗ Ospreys at their eyrie on Loch of knows what you might see? the Lowes 1. Common Blue Butterfly ◗ Ducklings make an entrance on 2. Green Woodpecker river and loch 3. Red Deer Stag 4. Adult Female Osprey ◗ Wild orchids radiant on moor 5. Greylag Geese and wetland ◗ Wood ants busy nest building with pine needles and twigs 4. 5. 6 Autumn ◗ Red deer stags roar across hill and glen in the rut ◗ Huge numbers of geese arrive to winter on Loch Leven ◗ Salmon leaping at Linn of Tummel and The Hermitage 1. 2. ◗ Blooming heather clothes the hills with purple hue ◗ Perthshire woodlands burst into glorious red, orange and gold ◗ Fabulous fungi in the forest Winter ◗ Native red squirrels move effortlessly through the trees ◗ White coated mountain hares bound across upland terrain ◗ Scottish crossbills pairing in the pine woods ◗ Ducks courting on Loch Leven and Loch of the Lowes ◗ Conifer woodlands magnificently cloaked in glistening frosts 1. Fly Agaric Toadstool 3. 2. Capercailie 3. Red Squirrel 7 www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk Walking & Cycling in Big Tree Country Below you will find an exciting range of walking and cycling trails that should not be missed and with some exceptions, are generally suitable for all abilities. Further information about these suggestions is available from local Tourist Information Centres detailed along with relevant websites below. Further published information, where indicated, can be found in the publications section on pg 31. Highland Perthshire Aberfeldy Waymarked Walks - walks network in and around Aberfeldy located 15 miles west of main A9 accessed via A827. Walks range from 1 mile/1.6km to 5 miles/8km. TIC: 01887 820276. 'Footprint' walks guide available, see pg 31. Ben Lawers - take the A827 from Aberfeldy and Kenmore to the north side of Loch Tay. National Trust for Scotland Mountain Visitor Centre and seven Munros on two ridges located a short way off the A827. Web: www.nts.org.uk Dunkeld Waymarked Walks - walks network in and around Dunkeld and Birnam located off main A9. Eight waymarked walks from 3 miles/5km to 6.75 miles/11km. TIC: 01350 727688. Dunkeld and Birnam Walks guide available, see pg 31. Pitlochry Waymarked Walks - walks network in and around Pitlochry located off main A9.