A Personal Survey of the Atholl Glens for Mountainbikers and Walkers

The aim in this series of books is to provide the mountainbiker and walker with information on a variety of routes so they know something of what to expect. One of the problems is that O.S. maps give no indication as to whether an 'other road' is metalled, a path or a forest fire break, or anything in between. Many bridges shown on O.S. maps do not exist. Rivers are difficult to judge in size from the map, and a building may be anything from a pile of stones to a maintained bothy. All is revealed without removing the sense of adventure and exploration. Gradient profiles help to assess how strenuous a route is, and each hand-drawn page contains a wealth of information. The object is to save wasted leisure time and enable the armchair explorer to plan ahead or relive experiences. "The Atholl Glens" includes: The Glens East of Drumochter, Glen Tilt to Cairnwell, and Aberfeldy to Dunkeld.

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Perthshire and Kinross-shire's Lost Railways (Paperback)

As well as information on the counties' railway system before the Beeching era, this book contains fifty-two rare photographs of stations at locations including Killin, Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie, Aberfoyle, Meigle, Lochearnhead, St Fillans, Bankfoot, Bridge of Earn and Crieff.

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Anne MacLeod - Aberfeldy Author

Author and poet Anne MacLeod was born in Aberfeldy in 1951 but now lives near Inverness, where she works as a dermatologist. Her first poetry collection, Standing By Thistles, was shortlisted for a Saltire Society award, as was her debut novel, The Dark Ship, a saga set in the aftermath of the Great War in the Hebrides.

Her medical background influences her writing, particularly her second novel, The Blue Moon Book, which tracks the slow recovery of a woman suffering from both aphasia and amnesia.

Anne MacLeod regularly performs her poetry at festivals in both Scotland and Canada, and her short stories have been recorded for radio. She lives in the Black Isle, and has four children.

Information taken from BooksfromScotland.com.

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The Dark Ship by Anne MacLeod

The Dark Ship by Anne MacLeod, born in Aberfeldy. This saga spans three generations on the Isle of Lewis and has at its heart the story of the sinking of the Iolaire in 1919. The ship was bringing troops back from WWI and sank on its entry to Stornoway Harbour, with most on board perishing.

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The Blue Moon Book by Anne MacLeod

The Blue Moon Book by Anne MacLeod, born in Aberfeldy. Love can leave you breathless, lost for words. Jess Kavanagh knows. Doesn’t know. Twenty four hours after meeting and falling for archaeologist and Pictish expert Michael Hurt she suffers a horrific accident that leaves her with aphasia and amnesia. No words. No memory of love. Michael travels south, unknowing. It is her estranged partner sports journalist Dan MacKie who is at the bedside when Jess finally regains consciousness. Dan, forced to review their shared past, is disconcerted by Jess’s fear of him, by her loss of memory, loss of words.

Will their relationship survive this test? Should it survive? Will Michael find Jess again? In this absorbing contemporary novel, Anne MacLeod interweaves themes of language, love and loss in patterns as intricate, as haunting as the Pictish Stones.

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The Black Watch: A Concise History

The Black Watch was formed at Aberfeldy in Perthshire in the early eighteenth century as an independent security force, or 'watch', to guard the approaches to the lawless areas of the Scottish Highlands. Instantly recognisable due to the famous red hackle cap badge and the traditional dark blue and green government tartan kilt from which it got its name, The Black Watch was renowned as one of the great fighting regiments of the British Army and served with distinction in all major conflicts from the War of Austrian Succession onwards.

In a highly controversial move, the regiment served under the operational control of the US Army during the counter-insurgency war in Iraq in December 2004. The Black Watch prided itself on being a 'family regiment', with sons following fathers into its ranks, and this new concise history reflects the strong sense of identity which was created over the centuries. In 2006, as part of a radical review of the country's defence policy, The Black Watch was amalgamated into the new Royal Regiment of Scotland. This new account of the famous regiment is therefore a timely memorial to its long and distinguished history.

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Black Watch (Black Watch Photography Archive)

The Black Watch Photographic Archive. The Black Watch Regimental Archives contain many thousands of photographs graphically illustrating the history of this famous Highland regiment since the first images were recorded some 150 years ago. Over two hundred of these pictures have been selected for this volume to represent different aspects of regimental life both home and abroad, in peace and at war.

From the days when the infantry still practised forming squares to the hand over of Hong Kong, the last significant remnant of the Empire, in 1997, this collection provides a fascinating insight into the activities of the Regiment. Naturally, many of the Regiment's great heroes and characters appear in these pictures but so do many other famous people, members of the royal family, Presidents of the United States of America and other heads of state. The collection of photographs also covers the Territorial battalions of the Black Watch from their early days as Rifle Volunteers through the two World Wars during which they won such renown for the Regiment.

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Black Watch: The Inside Story of the Oldest Highland Regiment in the British Army

The Black Watch is one of the finest fighting forces in the world and has been engaged in virtually every worldwide conflict for the last three centuries. Named after the dark tartan of the soldiers' kilts, its unique formation - raised from loyal Scottish clans at Aberfeldy in the wake of the 1715 Jacobite rebellion - make it the oldest Highland regiment.

As part of the British army, their first battle abroad was in Flanders in 1745 but the regiment soon moved to North America to fight the French, and then shared the capture of Montreal, the Windward Islands and Martinique. The American War of Independence saw the regiment once again in America, fighting horrific battles and eventually storming Fort Washington in 1776.

Since then the regiment has held its own from Egypt to the Napoleonic Wars, from the Crimea to the Indian mutiny, from both World Wars to Iraq. The Black Watch is the UK's most decorated regiment, combining the proud history and tradition of an organisation that has been soldiering for over 250 years.

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To War with the Black Watch

To War with the Black Watch (Paperback) by Gian Gaspare Napolitano. First published in an Italian-language anti-fascist newspaper in Switerland in 1944, this remarkable book tells the story of Lieutenant Pinto, appointed Italian liaison officer to the Scottish Black Watch. Based on the author's own experiences as a Black Watch liaison officer, "To War with the Black Watch" is a sharp, witty and moving insight into Scots-Italian relations in the latter part of the Second World War.

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The Guide to Mysterious Perthshire

"The Guide to Mysterious Perthshire" contains everything folkloric, supernatural, paranormal, eccentric and odd that has been recorded about the county. The guide is a fascinating introduction to Perthshire's tombstones, simulacra, standing stones, gargoyles and archaeological curiosities; tales of ghosts, fairies, witchcraft, freak weather, strange deaths, tall tales and hoaxes. This is a guide for the armchair adventurer or the on-location visitor, with stories arranged in a sequence of easily found geographical locations. It is profusely illustrated with the author's own photographs and there are extensive references and endnotes to enable the reader to follow up the sources, if he should so wish.

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The Perthshire Book (Paperback) by Donald Omand

This collection of essays is the story of Perthshire, Scotland's heartland, where many of her greatest treasures are to be found. The district resonates with folklore and incident; it was the birthplace of Rob Roy and also inspired some of Scott's finest work.

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Tiree and Coll, Inner Hebrides aerial photograph

Tiree and Coll, Inner Hebrides aerial photograph.
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Luing and Seil Islands, Scotland aerial photographs

Luing and Seil Islands aerial photograph.
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Loch Scridain, Mull aerial photograph

Loch Scridain, Mull Xenolithic Sill aerial photograph.
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Isles of Bernay and Mingulay, Outer Hebrides aerial photograph

Isles of Bernay and Mingulay, Outer Hebrides aerial photograph.
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Isle of Mull, Scotland aerial photograph

Isle of Mull, Scotland aerial photograph.
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Inveraray, Loch Fyne aerial photograph

Inveraray, Loch Fyne, Scotland aerial photograph.
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Gare Loch and Loch Long aerial photograph

Gare Loch and Loch Long, Scotland aerial photograph.
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Garelochhead, Scotland aerial photograph

Garelochhead, Scotland aerial photograph.
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Ardmeanach, Isle of Mull aerial photograph

Eroded tertiary lava flows at Ardmeanach, Isle of Mull, Scotland.
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Dumbarton and Loch Lomond aerial photograph

Dumbarton and Loch Lomond, Scotland.
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Coll, Inner Hebrides aerial photograph

Island of Coll, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.
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Ben More, Isle of Mull aerial photograph

Ben More, Isle of Mull, Scotland.
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Ben Buie, Mull, Scotland aerial photograph

Ben Buie, Mull aerial photograph.
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Balloch, Loch Lomond aerial photograph

Aerial photograph of Balloch beside Loch Lomond, Scotland.
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Aerial Photographs Scotland

This photograph has been kindly supplied by Ken Van Dellen, a lecturer in geology from Michigan, USA, who contacted us through this website. Most of his aerial photos were taken by Ken while flying to and from various countries throughout the world to attend geology conferences or give lectures. See Scotland as you have never seen it before.
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Holidays in Aberfeldy

The Aberfeldy area of Highland Perthshire has a wealth of holiday accommodation available to all sizes of groups. There is a tremendous choice from bed and breakfast, self catering or hotel holidays or short breaks. The surrounding area is among the most beautiful you will find in Scotland with sweeping glens, hills and mountains, lochs and rivers and an abundance of wildlife.
Holiday accommodation in the Aberfeldy area

Aberfeldy Accommodation

Aberfeldy is situated at a bend of the beautiful River Tay (the UK's largest) and 5km down stream from Loch Tay. It is an excellent base for touring Scotland or Highland Perthshire. There is a fine selection of coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops and galleries along the main street which runs from East to West through the town. The main car and coach park can be found sign posted off to the left on entering the town from Grandtully and the A9. The main street is only 50 yards from here.
Accommodation in the Aberfeldy area

Scottish Castles

Scotland has a multitude of castles spread through all parts of the country, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Urquhart Castle and Castle Menzies to name but a few. They are all steeped in history and legend, all with their own particular stories of war, battles, mystery and romanticism. A selection of books giving information and their history can be seen by clicking on the image above.

Uist - Peat

Peat was used as fuel throughout the Highlands and Islands. It was cut from peat banks and cutting usually began in May to make the most of the summer to dry the peat. The peat was cut in brick shapes and left to dry for two to three weeks. After this the peat bricks were stacked in small cairns for another week or two before being inverted and re-stacked to allow the bottom edge to dry. Once the peat was dry enough it was moved from the peat bank and stacked by the croft house.
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The Quirang - Isle of Skye

The Quirang is a fascinating rock formation on the Trotternish peninsula on Skye. It is approximately two miles north west of Staffin and six miles south east of Rubha Hunish. There is a challenging but popular walk through the formation which contains three main elements. The Needle is a rock spire which reaches a height of 120 feet. The Prison is an enclosed rock formation with the path running through the middle, while the Table is a flat, sunken shelf where, it is rumoured, locals played shinty in the past.
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Pucks Glen - Argyll

Pucks Glen is a narrow gorge within the Argyll Forest Park. It has such a mystical atmosphere with it's walls of stone and beautiful rock pools, that you expect to see pixies and fairies appear at any time.
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The Kildalton Cross - Islay

The Kildalton Cross, dates from the 8th century. It is the only complete, unbroken, early Christian wheel cross to survive in Scotland.
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Kildalton Church Islay

On the island of Islay which lies to the west of the Kintyre peninsula you will find the roofless ruins of the medieval parish church of Kildalton, which dates to the late 12th or 13th century.
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Walks in Perthshire

Within Highland Perthshire there are literally hundreds of walks to cater for all levels of fitness. Click on the link below to see some of those available and find links to buy books and maps and get more information on walking in Scotland.
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Glenkiln Sculptures, Dumfries

There are 6 sculptures by Henry Moore, Sir Jacob Epstein and Auguste Rodin placed throughout the glen. The works were bought and placed by the landowner Sir William Keswick, starting in 1951. There is an interesting walk of abot 2 hours which takes you round all the sculptures. The above picture is the "King and Queen" sculpture.
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Dunkeld Cathedral

Dunkeld Cathedral was started in 1325. It was unfortunately destroyed in the Reformation in the 16th century. It stands on the banks of the River Tay in the bustling town of Dunkeld in Perthshire.
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Rob Roy MacGregor - happy birthday!

The famous Rob Roy MacGregor was born on this day 7th March 1671. He was born at Glengyle, at the head of Loch Katrine. His father was Donald MacGregor, his mother Margaret Campbell. He was the third son of Donald of Glengyle, a chieftain. Rob Roy became War Leader of the clan, which entitled him to wear the three eagle's feathers of a chief.

He married Mary Helen MacGregor of Comar, born at Leny Farm, Strathyre. They were married in Glenarklet in January 1693, according to Buchanan Records. They had four sons. They were James, known as Mor, or Tall; Ranald; Coll; Robert, known as Robin Oig, or Young Rob. A cousin Duncan was adopted.

Rob Roy died in his house at Inverlochlarig Beg, Balquhidder, on 28th December 1734, as reported in the Caledonian Mercury newspaper one week later in Edinburgh. He was buried in Balquhidder Kirkyard, confirmed by information given by his descendants to the Clan Gregor Society. The detail on the ornamental bronze rail round his grave gives his age wrongly as 70. He was 63.

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Thomas Telford Bridge, Dunkeld, Perthshire

In 1809 Thomas Telford built this magnificent five arch bridge spanning the River Tay between the villages of Dunkeld and Birnam. This bridge replaced the busy ferry.
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Benbecula, Western Isles, Scotland

Benbecula is an island in the Western Isles of Scotland which is situated between the islands of North Uist and South Uist. The islands are all connected by large causeways. Benbecula is quite a sparse island but what land there is available is used to it's utmost. The island is a haven for wild otters who play in the vast range of shallow, sandy bays.
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Ardgarten, Loch Long, Scotland

Loch Long as seen from Ardgarten. Loch Long is a sea loch surrounded by beautiful mountains. Too the north end of the loch is Arrocher which is a busy little village, especially in the summertime. The loch was used extensively for testing submarines and torpedoes until the mid-80's.
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Ardcastle Forest, Loch Fyne

Ardcastle Forest overlooking the stunning Loch Fyne, Scotland. If you are touring Scotland or Argyllshire you will probably pass by or near to this loch which is 41 miles in length Loch Fyne and is the longest sea loch in Scotland. The area around Loch Fyne is extremely beautiful and includes many walks and areas of interest that are well worth visiting. Loch Fyne supports both dolphins and seals and in the summer it is possible to see basking sharks.
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Uist Beach

Beautiful beach on Uist. Photograph supplied by amateur photographer Brian Robertson from Stirling.
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Queens View

This is said to be one of the most famous and most photographed views in Scotland. Anyone who has been there can understand why this is so. It was named after Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria, both of whom stopped to admire the stunning panorama of mountain and loch. Situated on the outskirts of Pitlochry, the geographic centre of Scotland, Queens View overlooks Loch Tummel, Schiehallion on the western horizon and on a clear day the mountain scenery extends as far as Glencoe. There is a visitor centre, shop and tearoom here.
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Falls of Dochart, Killin

The Falls of Dochart form the most scenic and most photographed section of the River Dochart in Glen Dochart. Situated by a bridge leading into the village of Killin at the western end of Loch Tay, the Falls cascade around the island of Inchbuie or Innes Buie, the traditional burial place of the clan MacNab.
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Glen Lochay

Glen Lochay runs from the beautiful Glen Lyon in a south easterly direction to Loch Tay and the quaint village of Killin. The private road which runs through it does not appear on many maps but it is there and it is accessible.
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