Itinerary

1. Perth & Scottish Highlands Highlights Tour

   • Make the first stop at Buchanty Spout. It is a picturesque spot on the River Almond, where it is frequently possible to watch the salmon attempting to ascend the tumbling waters.
   • Pass through the scenic Sma’ Glen – which featured in the 1981 film ‘Chariots of Fire’ – on route to the hamlet of Amulree.
   • Leave civilization for a while and head up Glen Quaich. A beautiful but 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.
   • Time to descend to the shores of stunning Loch Tay, one of the biggest expenses of water in Scotland. It is 23km (15 miles) long and over 150 meters (500ft) deep. It is surrounded by several Munros (mountains over 3000ft – 915mts), the highest Ben Lawers on the Northside at just under 4000ft (1200mts).
   • Stop at the beach while 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.
   • Continue west into the isolated but beautiful Glen Lochay.
   • Reach its head, and we will take a tiny used Electricity Board road over into one of the longest and most stunning Glens in Scotland – Glen Lyon. 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 place was easily protected from marauding Clans, a place where you could hide your stolen cattle.
   • 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 2000 – 3000 years old, making it, in some way, the oldest tree in Britain. 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.
   • Head towards Aberfeldy once fortified. 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 regularly! Aberfeldy now offers an opportunity for some retail therapy and refreshment – the Old Mill bookshop is brilliant! 
   • 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. 
   • Wander through the charming square or around the Cathedral, soaking in the atmosphere and history.