The Birks’ were made famous by Scotland’s national bard (poet) Robbie Burns after he visited on his Highland Tour in 1787 and wrote ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy’. A statue of Burns surrounded by the birks (Scots word for birch trees) as well as stately oak trees, willowy ash and tall elm trees sits close to the Urlar Burn.
In local folklore an urisk, or water spirit, called Peallaidh was said to live by the Moness Falls and gave his name to Aberfeldy (Aberpheallaidh).
There is a tree trail at the Birks, planted by, Bobby Masterson, who also established the spectacular garden at nearby Cluny House. There is also a cup-marked rock, one of many of these mysterious objects that are found in the area, near the A826 road. Rocks marked like this are thought to date from Neolithic times (around 5,000 years ago).
Printed Information: Featured in 'Trails of the Upper Tay' and leaflet and volume 1 of Felicity Martin's series of books, "Experience Big Tree Country", available to purchase from Visitor Information Centres.
