Birks of Aberfeldy.

Start. Aberfeldy.

Route. Aberfeldy - War Memorial - Moness Burn - Crieff Road - Birks car park - Moness Dun Wood - Falls of Moness - Moness Den - Birks car park - Crieff Road - Abefeldy.

Notes. The valley in which the Birks lies was shaped during the last ice age, it now plays host to the foaming waters of the Moness Burn plus many feeder streams. A scenic walk for over two hundred years it's present name derives from a song composed by Scotland's famous bard Robert Burns, his visit in 1787 inspired him to put quill to paper and pen The Birks of Aberfeldy. As our hotel was just a few yards from the Birks car parks it seemed appropriate we take an early evening stroll before retiring to the pub for Tea.

Tucked away behind the buildings on Bank Street stands the single classic arch of the Aberfeldy War Memorial, our walk began here, we could have started up the road at the Birks car parks but opted for a town centre start. After passing under the arch a well trod path guided us to the Moness Burn, a foot-bridge allowed us to cross dry shod before the path guided us to the Crieff Road, we crossed to enter the Birks car parks. A short walk through said car parks followed before another foot-bridge allowed access to the opposite bank of the burn, Moness Dun Wood welcomed us. On we walked passed a statue of the famous bard sitting gleaming inspiration before many steps ushered us up the steep sides of the gorge, bridges spanned the many feeder streams. On we climbed to be halted by a viewing platform Across the deep ravine the Falls of Moness plunged over a rock ledge, the sound was deafening, a cauldron of white water and spray. We marveled a while before wandering around the top of the gorge to access a foot-bridge above the falls.

From this extremely noisy spot the right hand of two foot-paths guided us above the shear cliffs on the opposite side of the gorge. The views on this side aren't quite so good, we were gifted with the odd view over the valley of the River Tay. Too soon we found ourselves wandering through the car parks passed a cup and ring stone then onto the Crieff Road, this short stretch of road guided us back to the centre of Aberfeldy.

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The classic arch of the Aberfeldy War Memorial, our gateway into the watery world of the Birks.

The Moness Burn in a never ending hurry to reach the dark waters of the River Tay.

Statue to Scotland's famous bard, Robert Burns.

Bonnie lassie, will ye go,
will ye go, will ye go,
Bonnie lassie, will ye go
To the birks of Aberfeldy?....

....Now simmer blinks on flow'ry braes,
And o'er the crystal streamlet plays,
Come, let us spend the lightsome days
In the birks of Aberfeldy....

....The little birdies blithely sing,
While o'er their heads the hazels hing;
Or lightly flit on wanton wing
In the birks of Aberfeldy!....

....The braes ascend like lofty wa's,
The foaming stream, deep-roaring, fa's,
O'er-hung wi'fragrant spreading shaws,
The birks of Aberfeldy....

....The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi'flowers,
White o'er the linns the burnie pours,
And, rising, weets wi' misty showers
The birks of Aberfeldy....

....Let fortune's gifts at random flee,
They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me,
Supremely blest wi' love and thee
In the Birks of Aberfeldy....

....Bonnie lassie, will ye go,
will ye go, will ye go,
Bonnie lassie, will ye go
To the birks of Aberfeldy?....

Robert Burns 1787.

The Moness Burn above the Falls of Moness.

A gap in the trees gifts us with this wonderful view, Ben Vrakie under a blanket of snow.

Prehistoric art, cup and ring stone found near the entrance to the Birks car park.

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