Here and there...
Glenshee offers a wide choice of activities – whether you are after a central touring location to base yourself in, a wide choice of sporting activities to keep the family busy or a spot of hillwalking and wildlife watching.
Activities
Hillwalking: Take in the magnificent scenery of the Glenshee mountains with many low level walks. Good estate tracks run close to the rivers in Glen Lochsie and Glen Taitneach. For the more challenging walks there are many fine mountains in the immediate area including Mount Blair, The Cairnwell, Carn a Gheoidh, Glas Maol, Creag Leach, Glas Tulaichean and Ben Gulabin. For the Munro bagger there are 21 Munros within a 14 mile radius of the Cairnwell pass.
The Cateran Trail: Following the paths used by the 15th century cattle rustlers (caterans), this is a wonderful walking route taking in the breathtaking scenery of Glenshee and the surrounding area. It takes on average 4 or 5 days to complete the circular route (64 miles) with many sections suitable for shorter walks.
Click here for some other popular walking trails for walkers of all abilities in Glenshee.
Fishing: There’s fishing for trout and salmon on the doorstep in Glenshee. The salmon and trout fishing season on Shee Water and Black Water is from 15 April to 15 October. Loch trout fishing is also available on a couple of local lochs, Loch Nan Eun and Loch Beanie are perfect for a day out walking and fishing.
Cycling: For cycling both off road and on, the area is already well regarded with quiet scenic back roads and exciting off road tracks. Mountain bikes can be hired locally, the easy to moderate walking trails of Glenshee make a great active day out on a bike.
Golf: Glenshee is home to one of the highest courses in Britain. A well kept hilly 9 hole course at Dalmunzie Hotel, surrounded by lovely Glenshee scenic views is not to be missed.
Shooting: Clay shooting, rifle shooting and stalking are all available at local estates and activity centres.
Outdoor Adventure: Local activity centres provide all year round activities for families, groups and individuals of all abilities. Instruction is available for:
On Land: archery, cross bows, indoor crate climbing, rock climbing and abseiling, ropes course, zip wire, indoor climbing wall, team building days, tennis.
On Water: kayaking, canadian canoeing, sailing, canyoning.
Canyoning/Gorge Walking: High adrenaline activities of cliff jumping and waterfall abseils.
Craft: There are numerous scenic spots in peaceful locations to spend the day drawing or painting local scenes. Stop by Glenshee pottery for local pottery wares and craft classes, or head over to Alyth and visit Primrose Hill Interior's new gallery and shop (opening spring 2008) for a beautiful range of home and fashion accessories www.primrosehillinteriors.com
Snowsports: Glenshee is home to one of Britain’s most popular ski areas and has the largest lift system in Britain with no less than 38 runs extending over four mountains. The area offers skiing, snowboarding and telemark skiing and numerous local companies hire equipment. Courses and instruction are also available for winter mountaineering, ski touring and snow and ice climbing.
Places to Visit
Castles and Historic Houses:
Scone Palace, Perth -The one-time crowning place of Scottish Kings and home of the Earls of Mansfield www.scone-palace.co.uk
Blair Castle, Blair Atholl - The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl www.blair-castle.co.uk
Glamis Castle, Glamis - Childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother www.glamis-castle.co.uk
Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside - Set in Royal Deeside, the estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848 and has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family ever since www.balmoralcastle.com
Distilleries:
Bell’s Blair Athol Distillery, Pitlochry - One of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland www.discovering-distilleries.com/blairathol
Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry - Edradour is Scotland’s smallest whisky distillery www.edradour.co.uk
The Famous Grouse Experience, Crieff - Glenturret is Scotland’s oldest distillery and spiritual home of ‘Famous Grouse’ www.thefamousgrouse.com
National Trust for Scotland:
National Trust for England and Wales membership, also allows you free entry to National Trust for Scotland properties www.nts.org.uk
J M Barrie’s Birthplace, Kirriemuir - Birthplace and early home of the creator of Peter Pan
Angus Folk Museum, Forfar - Six 18thC cottages, showing life in rural Angus
Towns and Villages:
Pitlochry - This Victorian town in Perthshire has a variety of attractions including:
Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder – watch the salmon negotiate the ‘ladder’ to bypass the Dam
Heathergems – watch the crafts people turn heather stems into jewellery
Queens View – one of the most famous views in Scotland
Dunkeld and Birnam - Situated either side of the River Tay:
Dunkeld - a cathedral town now partly owned by the National Trust for Scotland
Birnam – a Victorian village - home to the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden
Braemar and Ballater - Both situated in Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park, either side of Balmoral Castle
Braemar is home to the Braemar Gathering, visited each year by the Queen and Royal Family
Ballater has a long association with the British Monarchy and many of the local shops and businesses display the Royal Warrant.
Other Attractions:
Discovery, Dundee - Follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton aboard the Royal Research Ship ‘Discovery’ www.rrsdiscovery.com
Glenshee Pottery, Glenshee - Local pottery, home of the ‘Glenshee Bothy’.
Peel Farm, Lintrathen nr Kirriemuir - Coffee and craft centre, including local crafts, paintings, coffee shop, farm shop and farm trail www.peelfarm.com
House of Bruar, nr Pitlochry - Scotland’s most prestigious country store, including clothing, homewares, gallery, food hall and restaurant, situated alongside the Falls of Bruar waterfall walks www.houseofbruar.com
Glendoick Gardens and Garden Centre, Glendoick nr Perth - The World’s favourite rhododendron and azalea nursery, with gardens open to the public from mid Apr – mid Jun, garden centre and teashop www.glendoick.com
Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre, Abernyte nr Perth - The largest selection of antiques and arts in Scotland www.scottish-antiques.com