Heritage in Tay Forest Park
Heritage in Tay Forest Park
Trails through time
The history of Highland Perthshire is written across the woodlands of Tay Forest Park. You’ll find ancient hilltop forts, ruined farmsteads, military bridges and Victorian follies. You can even trace the fascinating story of the birth of Scottish forestry here.
Our trees tell a story
A ‘model forest’ was planted in the 19th century at Faskally. Here young foresters learnt their craft, planting a wonderful array of species around Loch Dunmore. The Dukes of Atholl planted the great trees at Craigvinean in Victorian times. Stroll amongst magnificent exotic species at Weem. These trees were brought to Scotland by some of this country’s greatest plant collectors. Step back even further in time at Drummond Hill. This is where Black Duncan of Breadalbane planted what is probably Scotland’s first managed forest.
Staking your claim
The hilltop strongholds at Grandtully, Drummond Hill and Allean all provided their inhabitants with spectacular vantage points over the surrounding hills and lochs. Centuries later, Queen Victoria enjoyed the spectacular vista over Loch Tummel. She noted in her journal in 1866 that the Queen’s View was named after her. However, the name is said to have been inspired by Isabella, wife of Richard the Bruce, over 500 years earlier.
Schiehallion
The hill route to the much-loved conical mountain of Schiehallion begins at Braes of Foss. Attracting walkers to its summit for centuries. Schiehallion’s slopes were first inhabited and cultivated around 3,000 years ago The mountain is also unique for its part in a remarkable mathematic experiment in the 18th century to estimate the mass of the Earth.