Aberfeldy

Aberfeldy is situated at a bend of the beautiful River Tay (the UK's largest) and 9km down stream from Loch Tay. The name Aberfeldy is thought to come from Abair Pheallaig which basically means the mouth of the Pheallaig burn, now known as Moness Burn.

The town itself began as the growing together of several small farming settlements in the early 18th century which were collectively known as Aberfeldy. General Wades road and bridge which were built in 1733 increased the growth rate. In 1799 the town had it's own cotton mill, the railway in 1865 and a gas works soon after to feed the lights of the town. Whisky distilling was legally in the town by the mid 19th century and the Aberfeldy Distillery, now Dewars World of Whisky, appeared in 1896.

There is a fine selection of eating places, gift shops and galleries along the main street which runs through the town. The main car and coach park can be found sign posted off to the left on entering the town from Grandtully and the A9. The main street is only 50 yards from here.

Next to General Wade's Bridge is the Black Watch Memorial where, 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. Since then the battle honours collected depict a regiment on almost constant deployment in the most dangerous and inhospitable parts of the world.

From the town square you can walk the "Birks of Aberfeldy", then known as the Den of Moness, made famous by the poem of the same name by Robert Burns. He wrote this poem while visiting Aberfeldy in 1787. The spot where he sat is now marked with a plaque. The Birks(birch trees) is now one of the most popular walks in Perthshire. The picturesque Falls of Moness can be seen on this walk.