Page 244 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

242 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

VISITING CALLANDER
6 Pass of Killiecrankie by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The grounds
Tourist Information Pitlochry, Perthshire; PH16 5LG include a deer park, gardens and
52–54 Main Street, FK17 8ED; 01877 On the evening of 27 July 1689, woods, the haunt of red squirrels.
330 342; www.visitscotland.co.uk
the wooded gorge at Killiecrankie ª Return past Killiecrankie on B8079,
WHERE TO STAY became a bloody battleground, when then go right on the scenic B8019. At
Highland troops led by John Graham Tummel Bridge, go left on B846 and turn
PASS OF KILLIECRANKIE of Claverhouse routed government right to Fortingall. Park at the church.
Killiecrankie House Hotel expensive forces in the first battle of the Jacobite
Enjoy crisp white bedlinen and tasteful 8 The Fortingall Yew
furniture at this small country hotel with rebellion. The Visitor Centre (Apr–Oct:
rural views and locally sourced breakfasts. open daily) tells the story of the battle Fortingall, Aberfeldy; PH15 2NQ
Pass of Killiecrankie, PH16 5LG; 01796 and also has displays on the wildlife In a corner of the churchyard stands
473 220; www.killiecrankiehotel.co.uk and natural history of the gorge, which the Fortingall Yew: probably the
CALLANDER looks particularly beautiful when the oldest living thing in Europe, it is
Arden House moderate trees turn russet and gold in autumn. thought to be 5,000 years old. Legend
This handsome Victorian house has A path leads down to a viewpoint over has it that Pontius Pilate knew this
comfortable, good-sized rooms. Soldier’s Leap, where a government tree, not so unlikely as his father, an
Bracklinn Road, FK17 8EQ; 01877 339 soldier, leapt 5.5 m (18 ft) across the army officer, was stationed here
405; www.ardenhouse.org.uk River Garry to escape the Highlanders. during the Roman occupation.
Leny Estate expensive ª Turn left out of car park and follow ª Continue down the road to Bridge
This peaceful estate on the edge of B8079 to Blair Castle and car park. of Balgie and turn left signed to Killin.
Callander has six attractive, heated lodge- Turn right on the A827, go through
style cabins and a flat in the castle.
Leny House, FK17 8HA; 01877 331 078; 7 Blair Castle Killin, then pick up the A85 towards
www.lenyestate.com Blair Atholl, Pitlochry; PH18 5TL Perth. At Lochearnhead, take the A84,
Roman Camp Country House Strategically situated to defend the then turn right to Balquhidder.
expensive highland passes, imposing Blair Castle
A 17th-century hunting lodge, this (Apr–Oct: open daily; www.blair-castle.co. 9 Balquhidder
country house with wood panelling and uk) was the ancestral home of the Perthshire; FK19 8PA
ornate ceilings offers traditional comforts. Dukes of Atholl. It dates back to This small village is set by Loch Voil
Off Main Street, FK17 8BG; 01877 330
003; www.romancamphotel.co.uk the 13th century but has been greatly under spectacular mountains. In its
expanded over the years. In summer, a churchyard is the grave of one of
INCHMAHOME PRIORY uniformed piper may well be playing Scotland’s most famous figures: Rob
Lake of Menteith Hotel expensive outside – an Atholl Highlander, the Roy Macgregor (1671–1734). Rob Roy,
This hotel looks across the water towards only private army in Europe, raised by whose nickname came from his red
Inchmahome Priory and has bright
rooms. Breakfast on Scottish produce. the 4th Duke in 1778. Highlights here hair (“roy” comes from the Gaelic for
Port of Menteith, FK8 3RA; 01877 385 include the furniture used by Queen red), fought at Killiecrankie. After a
258; www.lake-hotel.com Victoria and an ivory compass carried dispute with the Duke of Montrose,
he embarked on a campaign of cattle
rustling and eventually became an
outlaw. Avoiding capture, he became a
romantic hero, immortalized by writers
Sir Walter Scott and Daniel Defoe.
ª Return to the A84 south to
Callander and park in the centre.
0 Callander
Callander, Stirling; FK17
Popularly known as the “gateway to
the highlands”, Callander, with its shops
and restaurants, makes an excellent
base for exploring. In the 1960s and
70s it gained fame as Tannochbrae in
the UK TV version of Dr Finlay’s Casebook
by A J Cronin. Visitors can enjoy signed
walks along the River Teith and to
Far left Shaded woods in the gorge at the
Pass of Killicrankie Top left The magnificent
white-painted exterior of 13th-century Blair
Castle Bottom left The grave of Rob Roy
bearing its defiant motto
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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