Blair Atholl, Bruar, Calvine

6 miles

Four and a half miles North of Pitlochry on the new road turn right onto the B8079 signposted to Blair Atholl. This is the charming village which stands outside the gates of Blair Castle. The Duke of Atholl, chief of Clan Murray has the only legally recognised private army in Europe, the Atholl Highlanders, following a privilege granted by Queen Victoria.
In the village itself, which stands on the River, is a working cornmill and the Atholl Country Life museum, open to visitors during the Summer months. The village was also the setting for the 1990’s BBC drama series “Strathblair”.
After travelling about four miles from Blair Atholl we come to Bruar where the retail outlet ‘House of Bruar’ is located. The Clan Donnachaidh museum is also situated here and is open all year round. It features the history of the Robertsons, Reids and Duncans. Woodland paths and bridges lead to the nearby Falls of Bruar, immortalised by Robert Burns in the poem “The humble petition of Bruar water to the noble Duke of Atholl”.
After the house of Bruar immediately turn right before reaching the main road onto the B849. This takes us under the new road and the railway before reaching the village of Calvine. In this locality the famous Scottish artist Samuel John Peploe painted. We then rejoin the new road.