Perthshire’s most idyllic glens, see for yourself the scenic splendour!
Glenshee’s location in the heart of Scotland makes it an ideal base for an extended stay as there are a wide array of touring opportunities available. If you must leave our magical Glen for the day……… the fairies will happily wave you off knowing you’ll return.
Once over the Cairnwell Pass you enter the Cairngorm National Park with all that it has to offer: spectacular landscapes, wildlife, friendly towns, folk museums, castles, mountain walks and sporting activities.
In Royal Deeside is Braemar a delightful tourist village surrounded by dramatic scenery, the spectacular Lynn of Dee is located just outside Braemar. The Braemar Royal Highland Gathering on the first Saturday in September is visited by the Queen every year and is quite the occasion. Braemar Castle is an impressive fortress built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar on the site of an even older habitation. Used by Hanoverian troops after the Jacobite Rising of 1745, later transformed by the Farquharsons of Invercauld into a residence of unusual charm.
A short drive north of Braemar lies the Queens residence Balmoral Castle. Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, Balmoral has been the Scottish Home of the British Royal Family ever since. The original castle was considered too small for the needs of the Royal Family and under the supervision of Prince Albert a new building was designed and completed in 1856. The castle is open to visitors when the Royal’s are not in residence.
Neighbouring Balmoral is the Royal Lochnager whisky distillery. Established 1845.
Past Balmoral is the pleasant town of Ballater. The station museum highlights Deeside's royal connections and the streets are lovely to stroll along with several antique shops. Glen Muick can be accessed from here with a lovely short walk to the loch a must.
The drive from Glenshee through Royal Deeside makes a nice day out and going over the Cairnwell Pass at 2200 feet is dramatic to say the least. Keep an eye out for Red deer as they are quite common along this road.
The road to Pitlochry takes you through Kirkmichael, a delightful small village worth a short visit itself and through Strathardle with its wonderful scenery. Pitlochry has a lovely main street with many shops, and many nearby places to visit. There is Edradour Scotland's smallest and delightful whisky distillery, established 1825 and it's large neighbour Blair Atholl distillery established 1798, with professional tours and tasting rooms.
North of Pitlochry lies Blair Castle the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The castle enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings in the heart of Highland Perthshire. With its roots in the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years. At the gateway to the Grampian Mountains on the route north to Inverness, the location was highly strategic. Today you can enjoy the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape but centuries ago it was a threatening and dangerous place. One of the first private homes to open to the public in Scotland, Blair welcomes more visitors than any other.
South of Pitlochry is the delightful town of Dunkeld. It's position on the river Tay, ruined cathedral and delightful Georgian cottages all combine to make Dunkeld a special place.
Blairgowrie is Glenshee’s nearest major town and the Glen’s locals shop here. It’s an ancient market town centred around the historic Wellmeadow. The walks along the banks of the River Ericht are lovely.
Just outside Perth lies Scone Palace where the Kings of Scotland were traditionally crowned.Today, in the 21st century, it is the home of the Earls of Mansfield, and a major attraction to visitors from all over the world. Fifteen hundred years ago, it was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and the centre of the ancient Celtic church. In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of Kings. It has housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Next to the Palace is Perth Race Course, holding horse race meetings throughout the summer.
Taking the road east leads to Angus through our neighbouring glen of Glenisla with its lovelly scenery. The faiytale looking Forter Castle, was originally a fortified tower, built in 1540 and owned by the Ogilvys, it was destroyed by the Duke of Argyll's men in 1650 and recently restored in 1990 for private use.
Kirriemuir is a bustling Scots town with tightly woven streets. Glamis Castle is only a few minutes away with the driveway approach simply breathtaking. Glamis is a place of legends. Family home of the Earls of Strathmore and a royal residence since 1372, childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, birthplace of Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret and legendary setting for Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth.
After an enjoyable day out returning to the Glen of the Fairies will feel like coming home.
