Aberfeldy
It was in 1787 that Robert Burns penned his famous invitation to " Come let us spend the lichtsome days in the Birks of Aberfeldie." Accept the offer of Scotland's National Poet and you too will experience the unspoiled beauty of this spectacular part of Perthshire.
Every visitor to Aberfeldy should walk across its famous bridge, which provided the vital crossing of the River Tay for General Wade's network of military roads. The bridge was constructed in 1733 to the design of architect William Adam, father of the more famous Robert Adam. The work was completed in 9 months using clorite schist from a local quarry. onstruction of the bridge was supervised by General Wade and carried out by soldiers employed as labourers. Wade considered his bridge at Aberfeldy to be his greatest accomplishment. Prior to the construction of the bridge, the river was crossed by a ferry. Thus, the motto of the seal of the Burgh - " Swift and often goes the boat of Aberfeldy. "
Nearby you will also find the Black Watch memorial commemorating the raising of the world famous regiment. In the wake of the 1715 Scottish rebellion, companies of trustworthy Highlanders were raised from loyal clans. They became known as the Black Watch for the watch they kept on the Highlands and from their dark government tartan. In 1739 King George II authorised the companies be formed into a regiment of foot, "the men to be natives of that country, and none other to be taken". That same year they held their first regimental parade on the banks of the River Tay at Aberfeldy, on what is now part of the Golf course. The monument takes the form of a massive cairn surmounted by the statue of Private Farquhar Shaw dressed in the original uniform of the regiment.
The original golf course was created on the site of two of the town's grazing areas. It was opened on July 5th, 1895, by Lady Currie of Garth and redesigned in the 1920'2 by James Braid. The golf course is now extended on the north bank of the river, to the scene of the first muster of the Black Watch. Access to the north bank is by the world's first fibreglass bridge, erected in 1992. The course, which is just a few minutes walk from the town centre, has eighteen holes and splendid views of the River Tay and surrounding hills. Angling is also renowned around Aberfeldy. And wonderful walks are plentiful.
The Birks of Aberfeldy, a wooded den surrounding the Falls of Moness, has been maintained as a scenic walk for almost 200 years, first by the Moness Estate, and now by the District Council. It was visited by Robert Burns on August 30th, 1787, inspring him to write the " The Birks of Aberfeldy " describing the beauty of the area.
The present Aberfeldy Water mill, situated on Mill Brae, was built in 1825 in the form of a two-storey, stone rubble structure of L-shaped plan, with brick and wooden additions. The kiln has a pyramidal roof and an unusual shaped ventilator. The mill is driven by an eight-spoked overshot wood and iron wheel. The Forbes family of Camserney were the original owners, followed by McKerchar and McNaughton of Aberfeldy. The Water Mill was completely restored in 1987 by Tom Rogers, a miller from Cupar in Fife, and is now open to the public. There is a long tradition of illicit distilling in the Aberfeldy area, but the present legal distillery was established on its present site in 1898, and lies just to the east of Aberfeldy overlooking the River Tay.
Aberfeldy Gallery established in 1981 as a showcase for the work of local artists and craftsmen. Since that time the Gallery has become well known for the high quality of artwork on display and artists from all over the country are now regular exhibitors. Increasing demands for the paintings, sculptures and pottery ensures a steady turnover of work and a constantly changing exhibition. The Gallery concentrates on original artwork and shows paintings of both a traditional and contemporary nature. The space is divided into 3 galleries with Gallery 1 showing traditional watercolours, some superb "Raku" figures, pottery, furniture and decorative wood pieces hand turned from native trees. Gallery 2 shows contemporary paintings in watercolour and acrylic together with sculpture carved from Scottish marble, both abstract and realist in nature. Gallery 3 has just opened and contains a fine show of oil paintings, photography and new items of pottery. There is therefore something for everyone.