Things to do in Fortingall
We like to visit this picturesque Perthshire village with our camera fairly regularly, as it’s something of a hidden gem in many ways, though perhaps most famous for the Fortingall Yew, said to be one of the oldest trees in Europe, and the oldest in the UK. No one is certain of its exact age though, which could be anything between 2000-3000 years old—or more. 5000 years old has also been raised as a possibility!
But, as remarkable and well worth seeing as the yew is, it would be a shame to only look at that and not spend a little extra time taking in some of the other features of this quirky and fascinating village.
Those who’ve come to Fortingall mainly to see the yew should also be aware of the nearby standing stones, easily spotted in an adjoining field, they offer another way to step back into the past. Indeed, Fortingall is a place where many different ages all come together to form one delightful village.
On that note, there’s some evidence of Fortingall and the surrounding area as having being inhabited for 5000 years, so it’s no wonder that historical buildings, remains and monuments from different eras are here to be found. Some of them need a little searching out though, such as the fragments of Pictish stones inside the church.
The church is especially photogenic if you have a camera with you, and there are some lovely little details that are well worth seeing on a quick walk round. One of our favourites is the old font on display outside. An example of an ancient cup-marked stone can also be seen in the churchyard.
The thatched cottages with their quirky features and pretty gardens are also a highlight of a stroll around this village, as are the beautiful views across the river. Even the red post box and telephone box are worth some attention and add to the overall aesthetic. At the far end of the village, you may also be fortunate enough to see a herd of white deer in the field next to Glen Lyon House.
We do have to admit at this point that a stroll around Fortingall, as delightful as it is, is unlikely to keep you occupied for much more than an hour or two, even with stopping every now and again to take some pictures. But fortunately, its setting between Aberfeldy and Kenmore means that it doesn’t have to—it’s the perfect stop off when going to or from either one of these destinations.
Another option is to set off up Glen Lyon, another beautiful Perthshire destination that starts off with with the quaint beauty of ancient woodland, tumbling burn, old stone bridges and white cottages and then later opens out to a wild and windswept landscape of hillsides almost bare but for the bracken and heather.
Wherever else you decide to head afterwards, there’s no doubt that Fortingall deserves a spot on your plan for the day, and it certainly adds its own unique charm and atmosphere to an exploration of this lovely area of Perthshire.
