The Birch Tree Studio
Aberfeldy
A ceramics studio producing handmade pottery inspired by the textures, colours, and light of the Highland landscape.
Discover
Makers, shops, local produce, and the stories that make this place unforgettable.
Makers · Shops · Culture
Loch Tay is more than scenery. It's blacksmith galleries and working tweed mills, organic farm shops and community cafés, 5,000-year-old trees and Monty Python filming locations. This is where you find the soul of the place.
Culture & Stories
The stories behind the scenery
Film locations, literary connections, ancient legends, and mountain tales — editorial pieces that go deeper than the guidebook.
Mountain Tale·
Chasing the Flower Moon on Ben Lawers
Mountain writer and photographer Alan Rowan recounts a magical night ascent of Ben Lawers to catch the Flower Moon and a perfect Highland sunrise — with a BBC Scotland film crew in tow.
Alan Rowan·15 June 2025
Culture
10 Stunning Lochs of Central Scotland You Need to Visit
Everyone knows Loch Lomond and Loch Ness, but central Scotland is scattered with dozens of lochs that are just as beautiful and far less crowded. Here are ten of the very best — from vast wilderness reservoirs to tiny hidden gems you can have entirely to yourself.
Explore Loch Tay·12 February 2025
Culture
Loch Tay in Film, Literature & Legend
Monty Python fought the Killer Rabbit here. James Bond's house was here. Robert Burns scribbled on a hotel wall. Pontius Pilate may — just may — have been born here. Loch Tay's cultural footprint is far bigger than most visitors realise.
Explore Loch Tay·10 February 2025
Mountain Tale
Running on Empty: A Day of Struggle on the Tyndrum Corbetts
Mountain writer Alan Rowan recounts a humbling day on the Corbetts above Tyndrum — when energy deserts you halfway up and every step becomes a battle on some of Scotland's steepest small hills.
Alan Rowan·1 November 2025
Mountain Tale
Perthshire's Hidden Gems: Why Size Isn't Everything
Mountain writer Alan Rowan makes the case for Perthshire's overlooked smaller hills — from Glen Almond to the shores of Loch Tay, these hidden gems pack a punch far beyond their modest heights.
Alan Rowan·15 October 2025
Mountain Tale
Shifting Moods on Snowy Cruach Ardrain
Mountain writer Alan Rowan describes a day of dramatic contrasts on Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean — from freezing fog to brilliant sunshine on snow-covered peaks above Crianlarich.
Alan Rowan·1 October 2025
Mountain Tale
The Mystery Figure on Ben Challum
Mountain writer Alan Rowan recounts a haunting experience on Ben Challum near Crianlarich — lost in a white-out with a broken compass, then guided to safety by a figure who vanished without trace.
Alan Rowan·15 September 2025
Mountain Tale
The Tarmachan Ridge: More Than Just the Cherry on Top
Mountain writer Alan Rowan tackles the Tarmachan Ridge from a different angle — a horseshoe circuit taking in Corbett Tops and fresh perspectives on one of the most popular ridges above Loch Tay.
Alan Rowan·1 September 2025
Mountain Tale
Glen Lyon Revisited: All Quiet on the Carn Mairg Circuit
Mountain writer Alan Rowan returns to the Carn Mairg horseshoe in Glen Lyon — expecting conflict, but finding peace, red squirrels, and one of Scotland's most rewarding Munro circuits.
Alan Rowan·15 August 2025
Mountain Tale
Wet and Wild on the Lawers Range
Mountain writer Alan Rowan describes a spectacularly soggy day tackling Meall Corranaich and Meall a' Choire Leith — the outlying pair on the Ben Lawers range — in relentless rain.
Alan Rowan·1 August 2025
Mountain Tale
Deep Snow Reprise on the Glen Lyon Horseshoe
Mountain writer Alan Rowan recounts a magical spring day of winter reprise on the Glen Lyon horseshoe — four Munros, deep snow, dramatic inversions, and views to Ben Lawers and Schiehallion.
Alan Rowan·15 July 2025
Culture
7 Surprising Facts About Perthshire That Will Change How You See It
Perthshire likes to call itself 'Big Tree Country', which makes it sound like a forestry brochure. But behind the marketing sits one of the most historically strange, geographically fascinating, and culturally rich counties in Scotland. Here are seven things you almost certainly didn't know.
Explore Loch Tay·11 February 2025
Culture
Hidden Gems of Breadalbane: 8 Places Most Visitors Miss
Breadalbane — the ancient Highland territory centred on Loch Tay — has a tourist trail, and it's a good one. But the best things here aren't on any trail. They're down unmarked side roads, behind unlocked gates, and at the end of tracks that look like they go nowhere. Here are eight of them.
Explore Loch Tay·9 February 2025
The best souvenirs from Loch Tay aren't tartan scarves from a gift shop. They're a piece of forged iron from a blacksmith's gallery, or a jar of heather honey from a farm you actually visited.
Loch Tay Explorer · Editorial
Makers & Artisans Studio Mill Artisan Gallery
Craft worth seeing
Glenlyon Tweed Mill
Aberfeldy
A working tweed mill with a strong heritage story, producing beautiful Scottish tweed and stocking a shop full of textiles.
Keltneyburn Smithy Gallery
Aberfeldy
A working forge and gallery where recycled scrap metal is transformed into extraordinary sculpture and artwork.
Killin Gallery
Killin
A warm, curated gallery in the heart of Killin showcasing local and Scottish art, prints, and handcrafted gifts.
Food & Drink Producers Distillery Producer Producer Producer
Taste the landscape
Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy
One of Scotland's finest Highland malt distilleries — tours, tastings, and an exceptional visitor shop.
Falls of Dochart Smokehouse
Killin
Artisan smoked salmon, cheese, and local products with a tasting counter — right in the heart of Killin.
Heather Hills Farm
Aberfeldy
Local heather honey, preserves, and bee products from a Highland Perthshire apiary — a taste of the landscape.
Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier
Aberfeldy
Award-winning artisan chocolatier in Grandtully with tours, tastings, and a shop full of exceptional handmade chocolates.
Shops & Local Produce Stockist Stockist Stockist Farm Shop Cafe Cafe Cafe
The good stuff, straight from the source
Organic farm shops, community stores, artisan delis, and stockists — the places where you find what you can't get anywhere else.
Karelia House
Kenmore
A major craft destination for yarn, fabric, and creative workshops — plus a beautiful shop stocking artisan materials.
Kenmore Village Shop
Kenmore
A charming village shop that actively stocks local artisan products alongside everyday essentials.
Taymouth Courtyard
Kenmore
A gift shop and deli near Kenmore, stocking local makers, Scottish foods, and carefully chosen homewares.
Tombreck Farm Shop
Lawers ££
Organic rare-breed farm on the south shore of Loch Tay, selling free-range pork, venison, lamb, and more direct from the land.
MacGregor's Community Store & Café
Killin £
Community-owned organic shop and café in the heart of Killin — local produce, proper coffee, and a genuine Highland welcome.
Thyme Deli & Bistro at Errichel
Aberfeldy ££
Award-winning farm bistro and artisan deli above Aberfeldy — Scottish Thistle Award winner for food tourism.
The Watermill, Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy ££
Award-winning independent bookshop and café in a converted watermill — a perfect rainy-day destination near Loch Tay.
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