Scotland's National Flower

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Castle Menzies Farm Holiday Cottages
In Highland Perthshire, the Heartland of Scotland.

Tours Further Afield
Castles History and Heritage | Walks and Rambles | Gardens and Parks |
Things To Do | Places To Visit

For those who wish to explore the wider scene in Scotland here are a few suggestions which are our own favourites. Any mileages are approximate.

Two super local tours within a day or less.
  1. GLENLYON AND LOCHTAY (approx. 50 miles)
    Particularly Recommended for Autumn Colours. Route from Castle Menzies.
    Take the B846 westwards to Coshieville, take the left fork signposted to Fortingal. Leaving Fortingal fork right up Glenlyon.

    Continue up the glen to Bridge of Balgie (approx. 6 miles) - there you have choices;-
    Turn left and cross the shoulder of Ben Lawers to Loch Tay and then westwards along the north side of the Loch to Killin.

    or...

    Continue up the glen to the Hydro Dam at Lubreoch the official road end –
    Don’t be deterred keep going and follow the tarred road which continues over to Glen Lochay and down to Killin. This road is not marked on many maps as it was built for the construction of the hydro dams and is all tarred single track, with arguably better gradients than the Bridge of Balgie to Loch Tay road.

    From Killin after crossing the River Dochart, take a left and follow the 17 miles south Loch Tay to Kenmore and hence back home.

    Along the Way.
    Fortingal –
    Designed village by McLaren the progenitor of Charles Rennie McIntosh. Note the hotel with name inscribed above the door, thatched cottages, the famous 4,000 yr old yew tree, allegedly the oldest piece of living vegetation in Europe.

    Glenlyon –
    Enter through the very narrow spectacular pass, the first mile is a stunning photo opportunity in autumn. Opens out to a wider vista of steep valley sides, sheep and cattle farming, deer, grouse and fishing support the economy.
    For most of the 20th century the Wills family of tobacco fame lived in Meggernie Castle and owned the top end of the glen from around Bridge of Balgie westwards, in the 1950’s farming 17,000 breeding Blackface ewes!

    Meggernie Castle of course in the eighteenth century was the location where the infamous Campbells plotted the massacre of Glencoe!
    Over the top from Lubreoch Dam to Glen Lochay. The great gaelic Bard,

    Killin –
    Old cottages, spectacular crossing of the River Dochart at the falls.

    Had enough here?
    Go home the easy way main road along North Loch Tay to Kenmore, you still have good views from a high vantage most of the way.
    However South Loch Tay should not be really missed out –
    Another long narrow sometimes single track road, but never uninteresting with great views, near and far, over the Loch to Ben Lawers.
  2. THE ROAD TO THE ISLES
    ‘Sure by Loch Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go’
    Particularly Recommended for Autumn Colours.

    Route from Castle Menzies.
    Take the B846 west to Coshieville, however this time take right fork up to the junction at the top of the mountain ridge. Follow the left fork signed ‘Schiehallion Road’ on the nearly single track road over the shoulder of Schiehallion. At Kinloch Rannoch follow the road up the North side of the Loch (11 miles) to the junction at the top. It is worth a journey from there to Rannoch station just to see what a Scottish wilderness is like. Road terminates there. Return to the junction and take a right turn to follow the road along the South of the Loch back to Kinloch Rannoch. There cross the bridge over the Tummel keep right and continue to Tummel Bridge. Before crossing the bridge there take the left fork and proceed along the North side of Loch Tummel to join the old A9 just above Pitlochry, and then Home.

    Along the Way.
    As you drive over to Kinloch Rannoch there is a car park for those who wish to climb Schiehallion. Just before that there is a small memorial cairn at the side of the road, to the scientist Masculin, who (in circa 1759) utilised the almost perfect conical top of the mountain to calculate correctly the density of the earth to three decimal places!

    The view from this road from the very high point above Kinloch Rannoch looking West 30 miles to Glencoe is stunning, although very difficult to capture in camera!
    Around Loch Rannoch it is worth stopping 2 miles West of Kinloch rannoch to capture the famous view of Schiehallion from the lochside looking East. The mountain is a perfect cone from there.
    Rannoch Station in the middle of Rannoch Moor, (around 900 - 1000ft above sea level) is the point where you can take the train to Fort William and Mallaig for a day trip. This is well worth the effort to get there in the morning - allow 1 hour traveling time from Castle Menzies to be safe. Check train times from the TIC in Aberfeldy square (01887 820 276). Usually leaving the station around 10am returning between 5 & 6pm.

    Returning along the South side of Loch Rannoch you pass through one of the few remaining areas of the original old Caledonian forest, which at one time covered much of Scotland.
    The very unobtrusive hydro-electric station on the North Loch Rannoch shore generates electricity from a tunnel from Loch Ericht and was one of the very first in UK. Opened in 1930, with its sister further down the Tummel at Tummel Bridge. Originally built by private enterprise, by George Balfour, who started Balfour Beattie, they were nationalised on his death during WWII in 1942, and then privatised again some 15 years ago!

    OTHER LOCAL SUGGESTIONS.
    There are various single track ‘back roads’ more than worth exploring
  3. The road from Amulree to Kenmore through Glenquaich and over the hill into Kenmore has amazing views of Loch Tay.
  4. The alternative route to Pitlochry on the South side of the valley, turn left up the very steep road just after the church at Logierait.
  5. The roads up the South sides of Loch Tummel and Loch Tay.
  6. The road from Grandtully to Dunkeld along the South side of the Tay.
  7. General Wade’s original road. From Tummelbridge follow north over the hill to Trinafour, then immediately over the bridge there, take a left and the single track steep road leads over the hill to the A9 at Dalnacardoch. Narrow but saves many miles going North!


LONGER TRIPS YOU CAN DO IN A DAY

KENMORE, KILLIN, TYNDRUM, GLENCOE, FORT WILLIAM, SPEAN BRIDGE, LAGGAN, DALWHINNIE, PITLOCHRY.

Along the Way.
This journey has many varying and interesting features.
Worth timing the journey to arrive North of Fort William for lunch at the top of the Gondola Ski Lift. Very user friendly. Allow two and half to three and half hours to get there.

From Castle Menzies to Tyndrum you gradually leave the more lush scenery of eastern Scotland and approach the wilder and more mountainous western areas.

Pass loch Tay and through Crianlarich to Tyndrum, where you should note the the area cleared high on the southern slopes of the valley as you turn right for Glencoe. This was where the Lady Breadalbane mined lead and a little gold. Scotland’s only gold mine is off the road to the left just before reaching Tyndrum but well out of sight of the road.

Pass over the western edge of Rannoch moor passing the White Corries ski centre to the left, just beside the great rock climbing cliffs on Buchaille Etive Mhor, and enter the wild and bleak valley of Glencoe. The infamous massacre took place at the lower end beside the village.
Cross the bridge and on to Fort William a very busy and thriving town. 4 - 5 miles further on visit to the ski lift where a very modern gondola lift system will take you up the shoulder (Aonach Mhor) of Ben Nevis. At the top are incredible views from the excellent café, look West to the Hebrides, and South down Loch Etive.

Continue to Spean Bridge and take the road to Laggan. Pass along Loch Laggan and observe on the opposite side of the loch, at the Eastern end, the large house called Ardverickie, the large baronial mansion almost bought by Queen Victoria before she settled on Balmoral, now the home of the latest Sunday night soap! Of course now known as Glenbogle, in the Monarch of the Glen TV series.. You might even catch them filming as you pass!
Return to the A9 at Dalwhinnie and home by Pitlochry.

1. PITLOCHRY,KIRKMICHAEL,BRAEMAR,BALMORAL,BALLATER, ABOYNE, BANCHORY, STONEHAVEN, FORFAR, GLAMIS CASTLE, COUPAR ANGUS, DUNKELD.
Quite a long day! Particularly if you wish to visit both Balmoral and Glamis Castles. They may be better made the subject of separate individual visits!

A fairly self explanatory route. A large circle around part of the North Eastern area. Leaving home for Pitlochry, then taking the road signposted to Braemar from Pitlochry (a long 38 miles) over the ‘Devil’s Elbow’ past the ski centre at the top of Glenshee, down to Braemar. This is the western end of Royal Deeside, continuing East down an excellent road, watch out for Balmoral on the South side of the river, there is only one short stretch of road you can see it from. Parts of the castle are open, but only when the Royals are not in residence.

Continue right down the Dee past Dinnet, Aboyne and Banchory to Crathes (see Gardens) where you take a right to return over the hill by the ‘Slug’ road to Stonehaven.

From Stonehaven continue on the dual carriageway to Forfar and then take a right for Perth. 5 or 6 miles from this turn off is Glamis Castle the home and birthplace off both the Queen Mother and also Princess Margaret. An extremely well run and interesting castle – open to the public.

Also of interest is the historic old town of Kirriemuir just West of Forfar, the birthplace and home of James Barrie, of Peter Pan fame.

Continue to Coupar Angus, turn right for Blairgowrie, then after 1 mile take the left turn for Dunkeld and the A9 home.

2. CRINAN, OBAN AND THE WEST.
This is a favourite of our own. It imparts a completely different aspect of Scotland to the traveler. The West, a taste of the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, The wonderfully picturesque town of Inverary with its old town jail, the Crinan canal, up the west coast to Oban - the Gateway to the Hebrides.
Leaving Aberfeldy head due West through, Killin, to Crianlarich. Turn left down Glenfalloch to the head of Loch Lomond, and down to Tarbert. From there turn right over the ’Rest and be Thankful’ road to Loch Fyne, continue around the top of Loch Fyne (great Oyster Bar there!) and down to Inverary. A visit here to the old town jail is definitely worth it. Good bar meals in the George Hotel nearby.

Continue South down Loch Fyne past Crarae with its famous garden, (rhodies & azaleas)
At Lochgilphead turn right and continue to Carnbaan. From there follow the Crinan Canal (famous for the Para Handy TV series) to Crinan. Although you have to return along this 5 miles it is well worth the visit to the little port of Crinan at the western end of the canal. Crinan Hotel excellent (expensive!)
Return to Carnbaan and turn left, for quite a long but very interesting journey, up the West coast to Oban. This area is a yachtsman's paradise and there many marinas and anchorages all the way to and including Oban.

Oban is a busy tourist town in the season, but the port for many of the services and ferries to both the Outer & Inner Hebrides. All leave from jetties in the centre of the town.
From Oban to home is a straight run on relatively good roads all the way.

SOME OTHER EASY DAY VISITS FURTHER AFIELD

1. INVERNESS (2hrs)with Loch Ness and it’s monster.

2. EDINBURGH (1½hrs)
– Edinburgh’s Park and Ride –
Worth a thought, save parking and worry about negotiating a strange and busy city full of one way systems. Just before you cross the Forth the Road Bridge – Well signposted and takes you to City centre.

Large towns like Edinburgh can be difficult to explore if you are unfamiliar with them, but below are a few of our favourite places to visit.

Edinburgh Castle a must for all.
This is the strategic and stunning viewpoint to see all Edinburgh, particularly Princes Street. The castle is home, of course, to the Scottish Crown Jewels, The Stone of Destiny and to the world acclaimed Military Tattoo (Aug/Sept),

The Royal Mile –high street from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Botanic Gardens superb world renowned gardens.

Royal Yacht Britannia now moored in Leith docks, and open to the public.

‘Deep Sea World’ just before you cross the Forth Road Bridge, beside the Park & Ride. One of the largest aquariums anywhere. Walk under water and see sharks and all varieties of sea life swimming around you. Immensely popular with all ages.

3. AVIEMORE (1½ hrs)
With its new £ multi million funicular mountain railway to the top of Cairngorm.
Take a run to the ski slopes of Cairngorm and take the easy way up. The last word in modern uphill locomotion - Very easy and completely disabled friendly (including wheelchair access on the railway) for those with problems. Superb views at the top, the highest restaurant in the UK, a splendid café with amazing views.

Castle Menzies Holiday Cottages
Mrs. M. McDiarmid
Castle Menzies Farm
Aberfeldy, Perthshire
PH15 2LY
Tel. 01887 820260