Beatrix Potter and Birnam

Across the Dunkeld bridge in Birnam, The Beatrix Potter Centre and Garden awaits you. Beatrix Potter drew inspiration from her childhood holidays spent along the banks of the River Tay and is reputed to have written " The Tale of Peter Rabbit " on one of her trips here. Beatrix Potter is celebrated around the world for her Peter Rabbit Tales. For nearly 90 years her delightful animal characters have enchanted adults and children alike and are more popular today than ever. Few people know of the importance and influence of Scotland on her life. For twelve successive years during her childhood, Beatrix and her family enjoyed long summer holidays in the Birnam area. It was here that Beatrix and her brother Bertram were able to indulge their passion for wildlife, after the constraints of life in London. It was from Eastwood, Dunkeld in 1893 that Beatrix wrote to a young friend the amusing picture-letter which later became "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and people she had met there inspired the loveable characters of Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jeremy Fisher. Beatrix Potter is renowned not only as an author and illustrator, but also as an eminent mycologist. During her residence in the Birnam area she met and formed a special friendship with Charles McIntosh - the Perthshire naturalist - sharing a mutual interest in fungi and wildlife.

In the village of Birnam throughout the summer, at the new Beatrix Potter Center, there is a wonderful Exhibition telling the tale of this " Fascinating Aquaintance ". The adjoining Beatrix Potter Garden magically recreates the lovely countryside which so impressed the young Beatrix - featuring flowers, fungi and characters which epitomise her relationship with the area. Footpaths lead you to Mr Tod and Mrs Tiggy-winkle's house, alongside the stream and pond where Mr Jeremy Fisher lives and to Peter Rabbit's Burrow.

Link to verse illustrated by Beatrix Potter

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