A Road Less Travelled… The Hidden Gems Of The Highlands

This tour travels some of the roads that are less well trodden around Highland Perthshire. You will experience a feeling of isolation and will have the opportunity to admire stunning views from the high passes. You also have a good chance of spotting some of the local wildlife.

Firstly we will head west skirting the edge of the Highlands until we turn north through the scenic Sma’ Glen – which featured in the 1981 film ‘Chariots of Fire’ – on route to the hamlet of Amulree.

We will then leave civilization and head to Glen Quaich. A beautiful if somewhat hairy road takes you over a natural pass eventually leading to Loch Tay. The views from the summit are breathtaking. There are several lovely spots to stop for a snack or lunch.

It is now time to descend to the shores of stunning Loch Tay, one of the biggest expanses of water in Scotland. It is 23km (15 miles) long and over 150 meters (500ft) deep. It is surrounded by a number of Munros (mountains over 3000ft – 915mts) the highest being Ben Lawers on the North side at just under 4000ft (1200mts). We will stop at the beach awhile in the pretty village of Kenmore before heading for Killin at the West end of the Loch.

Killin is a town steeped in history. It has the lovely Falls of Dochart which look nice but innocuous at low water but are extremely spectacular in spate. It also has the Clan McNab burial ground on an island in the middle of the river where at least nine Clan chiefs are laid to rest – the earliest dating from the 1700s.

Continuing west into the isolated but beautiful Glen Lyon. It is one of the longest and most stunning Glens in Scotland. Home to the infamous Campbells who carried out the massacre of Glencoe in 1692 when seventy-eight MacDonalds were murdered. The Clan Campbell seat – Meggernie Castle – is a private home and as such is off limits. However, the trip down the glen is absolutely superb!
You really get a feel for what life must have been like in those days. This is a place that was easily protected from marauding Clans, a place where you could hide your stolen cattle.

We will make our way down the winding single track road to the bottom of the Glen. Eventually into the village of Fortingall. Here we have the Fortingall yew tree. It is estimated to be between 5000 years old! Making it, by some way, the oldest living thing in Europe. Allegedly Pontius Pilot was born here – evidence is however scant! There is also a fine hotel adjacent to the kirk, where the tree is situated, so a refreshment could well be in order.

Once fortified we will head towards Aberfeldy. It was once a busy market town and became a strategic point when General Wade built the iconic – and at the time state of the art – bridge over the river Tay. It was the only point to cross the river in 1773. It now handles 44-ton wood lorries on a regular basis!

Aberfeldy now offers an opportunity for some retail therapy and refreshment – the Old Mill bookshop is brilliant! From here we will head south via a wonderful road climbing to 400m and affording spectacular views along the way. All too soon we will be in Dunkeld – a bustling tourist venue steeped in history. You can wander through the charming square or around the Cathedral, soaking in the atmosphere and history