9 Best Things to do in Aberfeldy, Scotland

Aberfeldy is a small town in the Scottish Highlands located alongside River Tay, Scotland’s longest river. I’ve visited Aberfeldy countless times and it’s never failed to impress me with the seemingly endless list of amazing things to do and see!

One of Aberfieldy’s earliest claims to fame was when the famous poet Robert Burns wrote ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy’ in 1787. This poem references the Birks of Aberfeldy, a beautiful spot just outside the town which enchanted Burns and which we’ll cover in more detail below as it’s one of my favourite walks in the area.

Without further ado, let’s jump into the best things to do in Aberfeldy in Perthshire!

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1. Walk Through The Birks of Aberfeldy

The Birks of Aberfeldy was made famous by Robert Burns’ folk tune of the same name. This beautiful walk takes you past a series of cascading falls edged by dense forests. The largest waterfall in the cascade is known as the Falls of Moness which stands 150 metres high and is one of Scotland’s most impressive waterfalls.

The Birks are located within walking distance of the town of Aberfeldy or alternatively there is plenty of free parking at the start of the walk.

As you begin your walk you are greeted by a lifesize statue of Robert Berns.

The walk is 2.4km and involves a lot of steps which can make it quite tiring if you’re not much of a walker but it’s worth it when you reach the waterfall at the top. Total walk time is around 1.5 – 2 hours. It’s a circular walk so you’ll arrive back at the carpark.

Local tip: I recommend doing the walk clockwise as this gives you some of the best views and get’s the steps out the way whilst you’re full of energy.

2. Sample Whiskey at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery

Founded in 1898 by John Dewar & Sons, Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery produced a range of fantastic single malt whiskies up to 21 years old.

The distillery, which is located on the banks of the River Tay, is open for tours which is a great opportunity to learn more about the whisky making process and the family behind the distillery.

My favourite part of the tour is the tasting session – I don’t normally drink whiskey but I really enjoyed Dewar’s whisky.

Local tip: There is a small shop at the distillery where you can stock up on single malt Scottish whiskey afterwards.

3. Take a Tour of Castle Menzies

Just a stone’s throw away from Aberfeldy, in a tiny village called Weem, stands an imposing  Scottish castle and the ancestral home of the Menzies Clan.

Visiting Castle Menzies is an absolute must when you’re in the area as you are given virtually unlimited access to explore the whole castle. The castle is a classic z-plan castle and a great example of Scottish Renaissance architecture with its grand hall, impressive entertaining rooms and detailed carvings.

The castle had previously fallen into disrepair and was recently purchased by the Menzies Charitable Trust and painstakingly restored into the castle you see today.

After you’ve finished exploring the castle which takes an hour or two, there is a fantastic cafe on site which serves hot drinks and cakes made in Aberfeldy.

Local tip: Occasionally the castle is closed for private events so it’s worth giving them a ring before visiting to ensure they’re open if you’re travelling far.

4. Stroll Through Cluny House Gardens

Cluny House Gardens is a stunning woodland garden located near Aberfeldy and is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking some peace and tranquillity in the beauty of the Scottish countryside.

Spread over 4 acres of land, you’ll be treated to tropical plants such as those from the Himalayas which thrive in the Cluny’s perfect conditions. You’ll also be treated to an impressive collection of champion trees such as two magnificent Wellingtonias, one of them has a girth of over 11m.

The gardens are operated under the principles of organic gardening, for example they recycle the autumn leaves for natural weed suppression.

May is the perfect time to visit as you can see the most plants in bloom as well as the incredible wild bluebells

Local tip: Remember to take cash as they don’t accept credit cards. At the time of writing entrance fees are currently £5 per adult and £1 per child.

5. Visit The Oldest Tree in Europe

Aged between 3,000 and 9,000 years old, the Fortingall Yew is the oldest tree in Europe which makes it well worth a visit!

To give this ancient yew tree’s age some perspective, it’s possible this tree could have been around at the end of the last ice age, and even at its younger estimates it would have been growing when the Egyptians were building the great pyramids.

At the first recorded measurement of the circumference of the tree it was the size of one and half double decker busses but today it’s somewhat smaller. The reason for its reduced size is partly down to historic vandalism whereby parts of the trunk were chopped off and taken away as souvenirs and partly biological in that the tree has split into multiple smaller trunks all connected by the same root system.

Perhaps in part due to its age the tree which was originally male has begun to change sex (yes, I didn’t know trees have sexes either!) and one of its branches has turned female, indicated by the vibrant red berries which are only seen on female yew trees.

Today the Fortingall Yew is protected by a brick wall and railings but you can still get a great view of the astonishing tree.

Local tip: You can view the tree 24/7 and there is a free car park right next to the church lard in which the tree is located. Viewing the tree only takes 15 minutes, so it’s best done on your way to another point of interest.

6. Wander Across Wade’s Bridge

Built in the mid-18th century, Wade’s bridge spans the River Tay and is a testament to the engineering ingenuity of its time. The bridge was built by General George Wade, a military commander as part of his job to improve the transportation network within Scotland.

The bridge is built using local red limestone and is still in use today by both cars and people.

The bridge is steeped in history, for example during the Jacobite uprising of 1745, it played an important role in military movements in the area. The bridge was used by both the Jacobites and the government as they moved troops over the river before finally being used by the retreating Jacobite forces after their defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

Local tip: View the bridge from a different perspective – there is a scenic path that follows the River Tay on the south bank and gives a beautiful view of the bridge from below.

7. Visit Aberfildy’s Independent Shops

There’s nothing quite like stepping into a traditional village bookshop such as the Aberfeldy Watermill Bookshop. The sight of shelves lined with books of all shapes and sizes, their covers enticing you to open them and discover the secrets they hold, fills your heart with a sense of wonder.

This fantastic little bookshop has won the award of the top independent bookshop in the Scottish highlands and it really is a fantastic place to spend some time and buy a book or two. The bookshop includes a cafe where you can get hot drinks and delicious cakes. In addition to the bookshop and café, the Aberfeldy Watermill also has an art gallery that showcases the work of local artists with works including painting, sculpture, and photography.

There are many other wonderful local shops to explore in Aberfeldy such as a number of great secondhand book shops and if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation then the local butcher has a fantastic range of meats at very reasonable prices. They can even order local fish for you if you give them a few days’ notice.

Local tip: You can buy some really great local guides at the bookshop to learn more about the history of the area.

8. Watch a Movie at Birks Cinema

The Birks Cinema first opened in 1939 and is a little gem in the heart of Aberfeldy. After falling into disrepair, the cinema was restored and reopened in 2013, thanks to the hard work of a group of dedicated volunteers.

The cinema shows the latest films as well as other events such as live theatre performances, music concerts, and film festivals.

Local tip: The cinema also has a great little cafe and bar serving alcohol, hot drinks and local cakes.

9. Visit The Scottish Crannog Centre

The Scottish Crannog Centre, perched on the banks of Loch Tay (the sixth largest loch in Scotland), is a museum and living history site, bringing history to life through displays, exhibitions, music demonstrations and more.

As part of their focus on being a living history site, they have built a real-life reconstruction of an ancient crannog.These are prehistoric dwellings were the home of Crannog Dwellers who lived on Loch Tay 2,500 years ago.

When you visit you’ll be treated to a guided tour of the museum as well as interactive demos of ancient crafts and technologies.

Local tip: They also have a cafe on site which serves hot drinks and snacks

Final Thoughts

Aberfeldy is a charming town in the Scottish Highlands and in fact one of my favourite destinations in Scotland. There’s a host of things to do here, from long walks to marvelling at scenic castles. What is your favourite thing to do in Aberfeldy?

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