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Aberfeldy is situated in the Tay Valley on the upper reaches of the River Tay (around 300 feet asl). The River Tay begins up-valley from Aberfeldy at Loch Tay, and carries on south and east from Aberfeldy until it discharges at its estuary east of Perth at the Firth of Tay. Lying in a U-shaped valley, the terrain in and around Aberfeldy is of gently undulating character with farming and agriculture bordering the town in the valley floor. However, areas further outside of Aberfeldy (particularly to the north and west) give way to the extensive Grampian Mountains, with scenic peaks such as Creag Odhar, Farragon (780m), Schiehallion (1083m), Ben Lawers (1214m) and Sron Mhor punctuating the landscape. Ben Lawers is Scotland's 9th highest peak and is renowned for its wild flowers - there is nothing higher to its south.
It is possible to reach both Scotland's east and west coasts in a few hours from Aberfeldy, and the town is about an hour and a half from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow.
Glen Lyon, which is widely regarded as one of Scotland's most stunning and least-visited valleys, lies barely 8km from the outskirts of Aberfeldy. At the mouth of Glen Lyon lies the village of Fortingall, legendary birth place of Pontius Pilate and home to the world-famous Fortingall Yew Tree - a tree reputed to be over 5,000 years old.
Aberfeldy lies at the intersection of two A roads - the A826 to Crieff and the A827, which leads east and south towards the main trunk road of the A9, and to Perth and points southwards. Aberfeldy is easily reached from southern locations via the A9, and then taking the Ballinluig exit and the A827 to get to the town. Owing to its location off the A9 trunk road - Aberfeldy is less geared for tourists than its close cousin town, Pitlochry.
The entrance to a very well known gorge and scenic walk made famous by the poet Robert Burns - lies on the southern outskirts of Aberfeldy on the A826. The Birks is classified as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), and contains many varieties of flora and fauna, some of which are protected.
The Birks of Aberfeldy is a popular circular walk through wonderful mixed woodland. The Falls of Moness tumble through the gorge and provide a dramatic centrepiece, especially impressive after rain. Robert Burns visited in 1787 and was so inspired that he wrote the poem `The Birks of Aberfeldie`.
A narrow, well defined path is overhung by mature trees and rises to a height of 150 metres at a bridge directly above the Falls of Moness. From here there are splendid views of the roaring white water beneath and, in winter, fine views over the top of the woodland to the valley of Strathtay. The 2.5 mile/4km circular walk is accessible from the centre of Aberfeldy or from the Birks Car Park off the A826. There are seats and viewpoints along the way. For those not so mobile, there is a picnic area at the car park which gives a good flavour of the walk. There is also a short tree trail identifying a large number of species. The gorge is a place of immense natural power and beauty in any season but perhaps most photogenic in the cooler days of late autumn.
The Birks (Scots for birch trees) still cloak the steep slopes of the Moness gorge, along with oak, ash, elm and willow. Remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest can be found in steep, inaccessible parts and it is likely that, in places, there has been continuous woodland cover for around 5000 years. More recent tree planting took place in the area in the late 1780's.
Many woodland plants flower in the spring and early summer before the leaves of the trees fully unfold. A stroll through the Birks in May or June will reveal wildflowers such as red campion, yellow pimpernel, bugle and sweet woodruff. The aromatic smell of wild wood garlic or ramsons is another lovely spring feature - look out for clusters of starry, white flowers on the woodland floor.