560 Route 73. DUNKELD. From Edinburgh
cathedral, the hermitage, and other points of interest (a walk of
172-2 hrs.).
The "Cathedral, charmingly situated on a grassy lawn, dates mainly
from 1318-1477. The choir has been restored and is used as the parish-
church of Dunkeld. Near the main door is the tombstone of the 'Wolf
of Badenoch'. Gavin Douglas (d. 1522), translator of Virgil, was Bishop
of Dunkeld. Close to the W. end of the cathedral are two of the old¬
est larches in Scotland. We then walk through the pretty grounds, skirting
the Tay, to the ferry. Here we cross the river and ascend to the Falls
of the Braan and the so-called Hermitage, whence we return to (3/4 hr.)
Dunkeld along the opposite bank of the Braan. This is the ordinary round,
but the visitor should not fail to ascend the left bank of the Braan to
the 'Rumbling Bridge 0/2 hr. from the Hermitage), in the park of Mr.
Frothingham, with a romantic waterfall in a narrow gorge, and then return
along the right bank of the Braan to Dunkeld (1 hr.).
Birnam Hill (1325 ft.), which may be ascended from the station in
3/4hr., commands a beautiful view. Two splendid trees (an oak and a sy¬
camore), close to the river, behind the Birnam Hotel, are held to repre¬
sent 'Birnam Wood which came to Dunsinane'. Other walks may be taken
to Craig-y-Barns, the (3 M.) Loch of the Lowes, etc.
From Dunkeld to Blairgowrie and Braemar, see p. 556.
From Dunkeld to Aberfeldy (via Ballinluig, see below), 17 M., railway
in 35-50 min. (fares 2s. 10d., 2s. Id., is 5d.). Near Aberfeldy (Breadalbane
Arms; Palace; Weem Hotel, across the Tay, 1 M. from the station), a
village at the junction of the Moness and the Tay, are the romantic Falls of
Moness (adm. 6d.), in a pretty little glen, clothed with the rowans and
larches that now represent Burns's 'Birks (birches) of Aberfeldy'.
From Aberfeldy to Looh Tay and Callander, a delightful and easily
accomplished excursion. Coach in summer twice daily to Kenmore;
steamer thence on Loch Tay to Killin Pier (see below) in 2 hrs., and rail¬
way thence to Callander in 3/4-l hr. — From Aberfeldy the coach runs
through the picturesque valley of the Tay to (61/2 M.) Kenmore ("Bread¬
albane Hotel), situated at the point where the river flows out of "Loch Tay
(15 M. long, 1/2-I M. wide), one of the finest of the Highland lakes. Adjacent is
Taymouth Castle, the seat of the Marquis of Breadalbane, surrounded by finely
wooded grounds, which are open to the public (10-4). Two good roads lead
from Kenmore to Killin, the one (16 M.) along the N.W. shore of Loch
Tay, skirting the base of Ben Lowers (see below), the other (18 M.), passing
near the (2 M.) Falls of Acharn, along the S.E. shore. — The steamer on
Loch Tay leaves Kenmore pier twice daily and calls at Fearnan (Tem¬
perance Hotel), on the N.W. bank (coach to Glen Lyon daily); Ardtalnaig
(S.W. bank); Lawers (Temperance Hotel), at the foot of Ben Lawers (see
below); and Ardeonaig (inn) on the S.W. bank. At Killin Pier we reach
the railway, which crosses the Lochay ("View ; pretty falls higher up) and
leads to (1 31.) the pretty village of Killin (Killin Hotel; 'Bridge of Lochay
Hotel, 1/2 M. from the station), situated on both banks of the Dochart,
near its entrance into Loch Tay. Thence the line runs to (41/2 M.) Killin
Junction (p. 543), where we reach the railway to Callander (p. 535) and
Oban (p. 5)0). In front towers Ben More (3845 ft.).
Ben Lawers (3985 ft.) may be ascended trom the hotel at its foot (see
above) in 4-5 hrs. there and back (guide 5s., pony 5s.). The route quits
the Kenmore road beyond the first streamlet, along the left bank of which
it ascends. Beyond (40 min.) a stile over a wall we proceed straight on,
climb the E. ridge some distance from the summit, and then follow the
ridge to the top (fine view). Many rare plants are to be found on Ben Lawers.
From (237'2 M0 Ballinluig (Rail. Rfmt. Rooms), the third sta¬
tion beyond Dunkeld, a line runs via (474 M.) Grandtully (Hotel)
to (9 M.) Aberfeldy (see above). — 2872 M. Pitlochry (Fisher's
Hotel; Scotland's, R. 3s., D. 4s.; Moulin, 1 M. from the station;
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