European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse S<5s photos by Gus Schuettler the quiet Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld provides a great habitat for a Bird Sanctuary and nature Reserve. Handful of attractions. The most famous landmarks Are the partially ruined 14th-Century Cathedral and the seven arched Dunkeld Bridge which dates to the Early 19th Century. The main Street has several attractive shops and one very Good family restaurant that specializes in homemade soups and baked goods. Along the River North of the Bridge is a Public Garden and playground a perfect Stopover for those travelling with children. A couple of Miles East of Dunkeld is the Loch of the Lowes nature Reserve established by the National Trust for Scotland visitors can hike around the several Lochs learn about the area s Flora and Fauna in the visitors Center and Wau h ospreys and waterfowl from a Lakeside Blind. The Countryside undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis As one follows the a-9 North through the Tay Valley then up the River Tummel past Pitlochry. In a distance of 20 Miles Hills become Small mountains deciduous forests gradually give was to evergreens and then North of the Killiecrankie pass dwindle to a few lonely Trees. Heather covered mountainsides slant up to craggy peaks where the Snow arrives Early and stays late. Those interested in exploring the Region in More detail May want to take a Side trip to Loch Tay the 14-mile-Long Lake that is the headwaters of the River. The town of Aberfeldy about tour Miles from the Lake hosts several annual events that attract visitors from throughout the land and beyond. Every june Aberfeldy is the finish line for Scotland s largest raft race. And nearby Kenmore on the Lake holds a Highland Carnes festival every year on the first wednesday in july but the Region s most popular destination is Pitlochry a resort and spa town that gained prominence in the mid-19th Century partly because Queen Victoria vacationed there. Today it is an attractive collection of hotels shops and bed and breakfast establishments that touts itself As Quot the Premier Inland resort in its shops offer nearly every manner of Home grown handicraft from fishing lures and flies to tartans hats and walking Sticks. During the summer the Pitlochry festival theater hosts a variety of plays and concerts As Well As performances of traditional scottish music and dance. At the Pitlochry dam and fish ladder visitors can View migrating Salmon. Nearby attractions include the Edra dour whisky distillery and Blair Castle the Duke of Atholi s gleaming White ancestral mansion set amid the moors and mountains a few Miles North of town both Are open to the Public. But like the whole Region Pitlochry s main draws Are not its Public events and historic landmarks hut the outdoor pursuits in the surrounding Countryside amid what the tourist office s Pollock aptly describes As Quot Beautiful scenery that has t been 9 winds North through the Tay River Valley As it Heads North into the Central tips the Tay River Valley Region is about an hour s drive North of Edinburgh. Take the m-90 to Perth then follow a-9 to Dunkeld and beyond. If driving from fort William in the West take a-82 North then a-86 East to a-889 South and a-9 South. Prices for accommodations vary from about 10.50 pounds $1 7.64 per person per night in a modest bed and breakfast place the vie More guest House in Pitlochry to 100 pounds $168 in a top hotel the stakis Dunkeld House hotel in Dunkeld. Most places Cost 25 pounds $42 or less. For More information Contact a tourist information Center the Cross Dunkeld Perthshire ph8 0an, Scotland Telephone 03502-688. A Perthshire tourist Board 45 High st., Perth Phi 5tj, Scotland. A tourist information Center 22 Atholl Road Pitlochry Perthshire ph16 5bx, Scotland Telephone 0796-221 5, Telephone numbers Are for Calls from within Britain those calling from outside the country should add the proper country code. A Norm Zeigler september i9, js9? stripes Magazine 11
