VISIT BREADALBANE

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Wild and wonderful

Breadalbane has some of the most diverse wildlife within the National Park. Golden eagles and peregrine falcons may be seen soaring over the higher peaks. In autumn the roaring of stags is often heard in the glens. If you are quiet and patient you may catch glimpses of elusive pine martens and otters.

Alpine flowers reward the walker with a dazzling array of colour. Breadalbane is home to more than 300 types of alpine plant and some of the best examples are found on the slopes of Ben Lui and Ben Lawers. But take care, the mountains can be treacherous and weather conditions can change rapidly.

Tyndrum and Crainlarich Community Woodlands are good places to find orchids. Look out for fragrant orchids and greater butterfly orchids.

Loch Dochart and Loch Iubhair (pronounced yew-er) are wintering sites for wildfowl such as goldeneye, whooper swan and tufted duck, while dippers can be seen bobbing in the Falls of Dochart at Killin. Ospreys are a regular sight over Loch Tay and Loch Earn. More than 100 species of bird have been recorded in Breadalbane and rare butterflies, such as the small pearl-bordered fritillary, have been spotted in Glen Ogle.

From Inverlochlarig in Balquhidder Glen, a steep path climbs the National Park’s highest mountain, Ben More. It’s the airy haunt of merlin and golden plover. Look out for red squirrels along the forest walks that set off from Strathyre.