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Springtime in Perthshire
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Revive your senses in spring among the woods and forests of Perthshire ... Big Tree Country.
Few places are as vibrant with new life as here, where trees grow to remarkable proportions, sheltered in the fertile straths and glens of the southern Highlands.
It's the perfect place to find peace and tune into the pulse of nature. From late March to the end of May, there are a host of events to help you explore the sights, scents and sounds of spring in Perthshire.
You'll find Perthshire's spring landscape comes in soothing shades of green and blue. Everywhere there are relaxing views of trees and water, from the soft haze of birch and willow lining meandering rivers to the young green of larches reflected in tranquil lochs. Cyclists can fill their lungs with the nutty aroma of hawthorn blossom while riding along quiet country lanes.
Throughout Perthshire, the spring air is full of birdsong. The chorus ranges from the melody of song thrushes in native woodlands to the high-pitched twitter of siskins in coniferous plantations. Above the trees, buzzards mew to their mates as they soar over their territories. After the harshness of winter there are a host of soft textures: furry catkins of pussy willow, delicate leaves of wood sorrel and hairy cushions of moss.
Spring advances so rapidly in Perthshire that there are new things to see each time you go outside, especially on the many waymarked walks around woods and forests. Before trees come into leaf white, yellow and purple wildflowers cover the ground like a scatter of stars. Next come carpets of bluebells and banks of primroses. Resident birds, such as the capercaillie, Britain's largest gamebird, begin their courtship displays in March. By April many migrants have returned to nest - listen for the liquid song of willow warblers and look for fish-eating ospreys, birds of prey that nest in the top of pine trees. Loch of the Lowes reserve is one of the best places to find both species.
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Spring into action ... get out and about in Perthshire's Great Outdoors!
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Mammals too are at their most active in spring. It's easy to see roe deer and red squirrels before the cover grows too thick. Wildcats, pine marten and otters are also around, but harder to spot. These wild creatures depend on trees for their food and shelter. The trees themselves are equally fascinating. Look closely at the young leaves as they burst open - often they are coloured red or yellow before chlorophyll turns them green. And many trees flower in spring - larches have pink female and yellow male flowers, while ashes sport purple tufts.
Perthshire's champion trees, which include Europe's oldest living thing and the widest conifer in Britain, are amazing specimens. They'll provide lasting memories, such as the sight of the 100-feet high Meikleour Beech Hedge - the tallest in the world - freshly dressed in millions of vivid green leaves.
A short break in spring is the ideal natural tonic. Whether you stay in one place like Dunkeld or tour around, you'll feel invigorated in Perthshire Big Tree Country.
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