Newton Bridge, Amulree

Newton Bridge is a very popular stopping point for walkers or picnics. The River Almond flows under the bridge giving the area a peaceful serenity before carrying on down through the Sma' Glen.
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Sma' Glen

It is one of the traditional drove roads linking Highland and Lowland Scotland. Its present name is a modern one for originally it was known as An Caol Ghleann, The Narrow Glen, and its Gaelic name is indeed descriptive of it.

The glen was of strategic importance to the Romans who built a fort and watchtower at Fendoch and in the 18th century General Wade built a military road through the Sma' Glen. Bones found beneath Ossian's Stone, a large stone removed to its present site by Wade's road-builders, were thought to be those of the legendary hero Ossian.
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Castle Menzies

Castle Menzies is a spectacular sixteenth century castle, restored by the Menzies Clan Society, welcomes visitors. Seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years and importantly situated, it was involved in the turbulent history of the Highlands and here Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746.
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Glen Quaich

Glen Quaich is a beautiful, peaceful glen steeped in history, not to be missed if you are touring Perthshire or touring Scotland.

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Glen Lyon

A dull Sunday afternoon but Glen Lyon never ceases to be breathtaking. Glen Lyon is one of Scotland's most beautiful glens. It starts at Fortingall and runs for some 20 miles to Cashlie. Over the journey it changes dramatically in character. At its base the River Lyon has cut a deep gorge known as MacGregor's leap. It gets its name from an outlaw member of the MacGregor clan, who is said to have escaped justice by leaping the falls. Watch out for the ruined stone bridge, which dates back to the late 18th century, on the opposite bank

The Glen is packed with history. It is infamous for having been the home of John Cambell of Glen Lyon - responsible for the Glen Coe massacre. You will also find close to Fortingall, the remnants of an early camp, said to be of Roman origin. Local fables and the writings of the medieval historian Holnished suggest that this was the birth place of Pontius Pilate. In the grounds of Fortingall Church you will see the remains of what is perhaps Europe's oldest tree. It is not much to look at today, but in the 18th century it was found to have a circumference of 54 feet. In the field opposite the Church is a standing stone which commemorates the medieval plague in which the whole village perished save one old woman. Some of the grave stones in the Churchyard tell their own stories.

Further up the glen is the Bridge of Balgie Post Office and tea room which is a good stop off point before heading up over the pass to Ben Lawers. Further up the glen at what should be a dead end at the dam, there is a small road, not marked on most maps, which actually takes you over to Killin via Glen Lochay but be careful as there are quite a few potholes in the road to keep you alert. Glen Lyon is a must for photographers of all levels and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful you will find in Scotland.

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The Birch Tree

Birches are the most common native trees in Scotland. Silver birch is distributed throughout almost all of Europe and in Asia Minor. Downy birch also occurs throughout much of Europe and in north Asia, and is one of the very few native trees in Iceland.

Both species of birch are widespread in Scotland, with silver birch occurring principally on well-drained, drier soils and downy birch preferring wetter locations. In many parts of the country, this results in a longitudinal transition, with silver birch in the east giving way to downy birch in the west.

Birches occur within other forest types, such as pine (Pinus sylvestris) and oak woods (Quercus spp.), and as largely monospecific stands, or birchwoods, in which they are the predominant trees. Birches are the most common native tree in Scotland. However, prior to the deforestation of most of the country by humans, when much larger areas of Scots Pine and Oak forests flourished, it is likely that birch was proportionately less abundant than it is today.

Both species of birch are fast-growing pioneer trees which readily colonise open ground. Silver birch is the faster growing of the two, and also the taller, reaching a height of up to 30 metres, whereas downy birch seldom exceeds 21 metres. As pioneer species, they are short-lived, with typical lifespans being between 60 and 90 years old, although some individuals can live up to 150 years. The trees are slender, with their trunks not normally exceeding a diameter of 40 cm. at breast height. Birch forest are also known as birks.

In young trees the bark is reddish-brown, but this changes to white as they mature. The white bark is most prominent on silver birch, where it is interspersed with conspicuous black patches. By contrast, the bark of downy birch is more greyish-white, with horizontal grooves on it. On old silver birches the bark can become corklike and deeply fissured, with parts covered by large colonies of the yellow foliose lichen, Candelaria concolor.

Birches are deciduous, and before their new leaves appear in spring the twigs and buds exhibit a characteristic reddish-purple colour, which is especially apparent after rain. The new leaves emerge in April and are bright green at first, with the colour darkening to a duller green after a week or two. The colour changes to yellow or brown in autumn, with the colours becoming more intense after sharp frosts. Silver birch leaves tend to turn a brighter yellow than those of downy birch, which are usually dull or brownish. The leaves are dropped at the end of October or early November, although this can be earlier, and the appearance of the new leaves in spring later, at higher elevations, where the climate is harsher.

The Birks of Aberfeldy by Robert Burns

The Old Packhorse Bridge - Carrbridge (Video)

Within the Cairngorms National Park is the small town of Carrbridge. Here you can see a quaint old bridge with a plaque nearby which gives it's history as follows -

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travellers and local people, there was no pint at which the River Dulnain could be crossed when it was in spate, and burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.

Brigadier - General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindalloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney. Between May and November 1717, the bridge was paid for out of stipends of the Parish of Duthil.

It's parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the famous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today.
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Loch Morlich - Dusk Approaching

Dusk approaches, looking out over the quite and still waters of Loch Morlich, overshadowed by the mighty Cairngorm Mountains in the Highlands of Scotland.
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Carrbridge - The Old Packhorse Bridge

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travellers and local people, there was no pint at which the River Dulnain could be crossed when it was in spate, and burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.

Brigadier - General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindalloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney. Between May and November 1717, the bridge was paid for out of stipends of the Parish of Duthil.

It's parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the famous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today.

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Cairngorm Mountains and Loch Morlich

It was a cold, crisp, Winter's day but this enhanced the beautiful but rugged Cairngorm Mountains viewed from across the still waters of Loch Morlich. The mountains are situated in the Cairngorm National Park which takes in some of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain, from the wild tundra of the high mountain tops to the seclusion of the ancient pinewoods. Heather moors and grand glens, haunt of the red deer and the golden eagle, are just some of the other habitats within the park.
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