Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Ossian's Hall, River Braan, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the Falls of Braan at Ossian’s Hall near Dunkeld in Central Scotland.

This site attracts about 200,000 visitors each year no doubt influenced by scenic attraction and proximity to the A9 main north-south tourist route.

Key facts:

• Site is known as the Hermitage but most visitors rarely get beyond Ossian’s Hall and the Falls of Braan
• Was part of an 18th century designed landscape under ownership of the Duke of Atholl who owned (and whose descendants still own) vast tracts of central Scotland.
• To access the site entails a pleasant walk of about half a mile along the wooded banks of the River Braan, one of Scotland’s shortest rivers with a length of about 80 miles. The path navigates through the tallest grove of Douglas Firs in the U.K. These were planted in 1920 and may well last for another 300-400 years.
• One of the trees near the Falls has a height of about 200ft and ranks as one of the tallest trees in the U.K.
• During the season salmon can be be viewed trying to jump the falls, an endeavour which always ends in failure.
• Ossian’s Hall ( see image above) was built as a summer house in 1758. Nearby, a stone bridge was built over the river in 1770, ostensibly to enhance the natural attractions of the site.
• Ossian is a character from Irish mythology. In 1760 one James McPherson, a local tutor, gathered local legends and dedicated (attributed?) same to Ossian. The Duke of Atholl duly dedicated the building next to the falls to Ossian.
• The Hall has recently been re-built to incorporate the original series of experiences which mirrors and skylights would have afforded visitors in the 18th century. However, the hall is essentially a viewing platform for the spectacular falls.

Here is a clip  of the falls in full spate.

Falls of Braan, Ossian's Hall, Scotland

Whenever possible  include a visit to the falls in my tours  of the area.

Birnam Hotel, Birnam, Scotland

Today, I ventured into central Scotland with trip aided by unusual sunny weather and blue sky.

Here there are two towns with an almost seamless join, namely Birnam and Dunkeld. Both of these towns are popular with visitors to Scotland. Birnam is, perhaps, most famous for its Macbeth connection with Birnam Wood and Birnam Oak. The latter can viewed on bank of the River Tay although unlikely to be a relic from Shakespeare’s time.

Above image shows the Birnam Hotel which dates from around 1850 and was probably built to accommodate the first wave of tourists to the area aided by a new railway and the fashion set by Queen Victoria of visits to Scotland.

The childrens’ author Beatrix Potter used to holiday in the locale in her teens and obtained inspiration for her series of books.

Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland

Above image shows the popular small town of Dunkeld which sits on the banks of the River Tay. Dunkeld means’ Fort of the Caledonians’ and trace its origins back about 1500 years, and possibly longer. The Cathedral  in centre of town, although part ruin, is a popular visitor attrraction and famous as an early Christian site dating back to the Culdees in AD 815.

The image below gives a perspective of Dunkeld in context of the mighty River Tay which comprises Scotland’s longest river system and is popular with anglers for salmon fishing.

Dunkeld and River Tay, Scotland

An interesting site nearby is Ossian’s Hall and the Falls of Braan. Today, following persistent heavy rain, the river was in full spate.

Falls of Braan at Ossian's Hall, Scotland

Overall, a worthwhile trip . In the distance snow capped mountains could be seen.

This morning, I collected guests from Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh and then proceeded as follows:

First to Dunfermline Abbey Church whose foundation dates from 1072. This is an interesting site comprising (a) the ruined Abbey (b) ruined former Royal Palace (c) the Abbey Church which is an active place of worship (Presbyterian) and location of burial of Scotland’s King Robert The Bruce (14th C). Effectively, this site was the capital of Scotland until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland moved to London to become King of England as well. We viewed all the principal aspects and availed of the scenic views towards the Firth of Forth.

Scottish Thistles at Dunfermline, Scotland

Dunfermline Abbey Church, Dunfermline, Scotland

Dunfermline Abbey, Dunfermline, Scotland

Next to central Scotland. First we stopped at Birnam to walk along the banks of the River Tay and visit the Birnam Oak. Then to the Beatrix Potter Garden and Exhibition.

River Tay, Birnam, Scotland

Birnam Oak, River Tay, Scotland

Next to nearby Dunkeld to have lunch at the Atholl Arms and then a walk down to visit the Cathedral and back along the bank of the Tay to the car.

Atholl Fountain, Dunkeld, Scotland

River Tay at Dunkeld, Scotland

Next a short trip up the A9 to Ossian’s Hall. We walked along the banks of the River Braan and then reached the stunning Falls of Braan  which provided  some good photo opps.

Falls of Braan, Dunkeld, Scotland

Next we continued north to Blair Castle, a popular visitor attraction and seat of the Duke of Atholl. Guests toured the interior which took about 1 hour.

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland

After the visit to Blair Castle we drove north for about 90 mins to Inverness, capital of the Highlands and our lodgings for the night at a guest house on the banks of the River Ness.

Inverness, capital lof the Highlands, Scotland