Sunday, December 25, 2011

PERTHSHIRE - Big Tree Country

I went in September with friend on a short excursion to the north of Perth , one Saturday , and I have been planning to write about that since then . Mainly around Dunkeld , visiting old cathedral there , nice tree gardens just next to , and the falls on river Braan . So I found out there from a brochure that Pertshire County is called Big Tree Country - because nowhere else in Europe grows so many big trees . Many exotic specimens are cultivated in numerous gardens , and many heritage trees can be found . The Birnam Oak is a remnant of the ancient Birnam Wood , made famous by Shakespeare in Macbeth . And the ancient yew at Fortingall is believed to be the oldest tree in Europe . I recommend to look at this website ;
http://www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk/

But in Perthshire not only trees can attract . I have been to this county a couple of times and can only encourage coming there , if you want to taste Scottish landscape and history . The county is situated in the heart of Scotland ( the towns like Aberfeldy or Pitlochry claims to lie at the geographical centre of Scotland ).Thanks to a good road network is possible quickly move away to other parts of the country .

Perth , Scottish capital in the late middle ages , is worth visiting for a couple of hours , at least . The Palace of Scone , just off Perth , the crowning site of Kings of Scots , is must see place . And Dunkeld , which I mentioned before , in the 9th century was established by king Kenneth McAlpin as religious capital of Scotland . Some interesting castles , with Blair Castle on the top could be seen .

Surely the small Victorian resort , Pitlochry , is iconic in this region . Fine place for relaxing time in this splendour little town , among Grampian Mountains . In Pertshire there are many nice historic towns and villages , like Dunkeld , Aberfeldy , Crieff .

Pertshire is known also for its waterfalls , the most famous , Falls of Moness by Aberfeldy . The western part of the county is covered with many Lochs , just to mention Loch Tay , Loch Tummel and Rannoch .

Nevertheless , a few images taken in the Big Tree Country .


                                                                   River  Tay

                                                  Waterfalls at The Hermitage , river Braan

                                                  Bridge over river Tay , Dunkeld

                                                                             Dunkeld                                                                                                              
                                                                                                               Dunkeld  Cathedral

                                                              Sunset over Loch  Earn




   The road above Loch Tay                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                              Rannoch  Moor

                                                        Falls of Dochart ,  Killin

                                                                     Ben  Lavers'  range .

                                                                       Glen  Lyon

                                                                         Castle  Menzies