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Every visitor to this area should walk over the famous bridge, which provided the vital crossing of the River Tay for General Wade's network of military roads - Wade's Bridge. Nearby you will also find the Black Watch memorial commemorating the raising of the world-renowned regiment.
Having soaked up the history of this area take a walk into the centre of bustling Aberfeldy where you will find an excellent range of shops, here traditional service prevails and local craft products adorn the shop fronts.
You can enjoy family favourites on Aberfeldy's putting green and in the town's Victoria Park. Just outside Aberfeldy, close to Weem, historic Castle Menzies is waiting to welcome you. Two gardens are open to the public; one nearby at Bolfracks, noted for its flowering bulbs and stream garden, and another at Cluny House which is one of Scotland's best woodland gardens. Dewar's World of Whisky at Aberfeldy Distillery tells the Dewar's story and celebrates a courageous spirit. At the Glen Lyon Gallery, now located close to Aberfeldy, you can purchase originals, limited editions and sculptures by the artist Alan B Hayman.
The district around Aberfeldy is rich in natural heritage and folklore. Look out for the yew tree in the churchyard at Fortingall , at some 3000 years old, you will be looking at what is believed to be Europe's oldest living thing.
In Fortingall you will also be at the mouth of Glen Lyon, the longest enclosed glen in Scotland stretching 34 miles /51km in length. Some of Perthshire's finest scenes can be captured here. Once a populous community, there are now only a few folks still living in the Glen which becomes more uninhabited as it runs west towards Loch Lyon.
At Bridge of Balgie stands mighty Ben Lawers, Perthshire's highest and most fascinating mountain which is home to possibly the finest selection of alpine flowers. You needn't feel you have to climb to the summit to find out more; instead spend some time at the visitor centre and nature trail at the base of the Mountain.
Ben Lawers however does not stand alone. It overlooks Loch Tay, Perthshire's largest Loch, a magnificent stretch of water; at some 14 miles/23 km long. Today it is hard to believe that ancient settlers once lived on Loch Tay, on their very own man-made islands or crannogs. The Scottish Crannog Centre, a wonderfully reconstructed crannog built on the loch which paints a fascinating picture of early Iron Age life, brings your imagination to life. At the eastern edge of Loch Tay lies the pretty whitewashed conservation village of Kenmore where you can enjoy unrivalled views of the loch.
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The Birks of Aberfeldy
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Wonderful walks are plentiful in this area from the cascading waterfalls at the Birks of Aberfeldy through forest walks at Weem and Drummond Hill, to serious high-level walking around Glen Lyon and the hills of Breadalbane. Angling around Aberfeldy is renowned, as is golf. Golfers can choose from 18 wonderfully scenic holes around Taymouth Castle, the 18 hole layout at Aberfeldy, or the attractive 9 hole courses at Kenmore and Strathtay. You may have difficulty keeping your eye on the ball amidst such splendid scenery! High adrenaline activities are not far away either, and two centres on Loch Tay offer a wide selection of water sports including canoeing, river-rafting and windsurfing.
There's so much more to find out, so pop into Aberfeldy Tourist Information Centre where all your questions will be answered.
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Think of Scotland and you think of lochs, mountains and forests. You think of castles, whisky and history. You think of golf, fishing and walking. Aberfeldy, Loch Tay & Glen Lyon has all these things in abundance, but it also has much more.
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