Second Highland Walk

[psticks]

We decided to bail out on the Diamond Jubilee Celebration and as it was a nice day, quickly brought up the site and decided where to go. I had read about this walk and fancied checking out the Ospreys as I had heard on the news a couple of years ago that a long returning bird called Lady was ill. She was not expected to survive, but not only recovered but came back again this year. So a quick, but expensive stop at Tiso (LOL!) en route and we were up the A9.

The Cally Car park was packed! But we found a space. By the way, if you have low vehicle, I wouldnt try to drive it up the road to the car park, there are some massive gullys for rain run off.

Road crossing from car park.

Its a nice wooded walk and then up some green lanes which are very relaxing. Keep heading for the loch keeping the golf course on your left.

Soothing wooded walk.

You take a short detour and walk passed a right turn which is your return route back to Dunkeld. Cross a road and a short wooded walk to the Osprey Visitor Centre.

Short walk to Osprey Visitors Centre.

The visitor centre was brill. All the staff are so friendly and helpful to make sure you get the most from your visit. They have a great feeding area where we saw a brazen red squirrel pinching nuts, various tits and a wood pecker. From the hide we saw Lady sitting on her chick in the nest with the father popping back when some Buzzards were giving them some hassle. Lady is now at least 25 years old but the staff reckon more like 27. The oldest recorded Osprey was 28!! Her mate is 5 years old, the staff call her a real Cougar
There are some big screen TV's hooked up to cameras giving great views in the nest.

Red squirrel pinching nuts from the birds.

TV of Lady on her nest.

After an hour at the visitor centre we retraced our steps back to left fork then after a short uphill began the descent to Dunkeld.

Track downhill into Dunkeld through the posh bit with some fine houses.

Beautiful moss on the dry stone wall en route into Dunkeld.

All in all its a well marked route which is great for newbies like us with the big attraction of being able to see the magnificant Ospreys besides other wildlife. Great for a Sunday afternoon stroll after the roast. Check the visitor centre opening hours so your not dissapointed. Well worth walking.