Crannocks Squirrels Hydro

We were both looking forward to our day at the Crannock. It was about an hour and half drive. We stopped on the way on a wood with a small car park and signs for a poetry walk.

Having spent time searching for the elusive red squirrel we were surprised and fortunate to see 4 .

The drive was reminiscent of the Highlands at times. Not unsurprisingly as this is where the Highlands begin in earnest.

The river where the squirrels were was in full spate following last night's rains.

This is the loch that the Crannock center we had come to visit was based.

They have built a replica prehistoric village. Manned by apprentices who show you around th museum and run experimental archaeology with wood,pottery , fabric, herbs and offer you a go at it.

The cranocks are prehistoric meaning before writing🤷‍♂️ about 1500 years ago. They were built by using about 700 trees banging them into the lake bottom in a circle then filling them with rocks. You then built a bridge to it and filled it with rocks. A family of about 25 people and their animals would live and work in them. They have found evidence of about 16 on this loch so far. Most have trees growing out of them . One didn't and this one they excavated. Because the tree roots damage any remains. They are an incredible endeavour considering the basic tools they had back then. So far they have identified 600 in Scotland, 2000 in Ireland, 1 in Wales and non in England.

They have to be built in reasonably shallow water.

Surprisingly there's evidence of trade from as far away as India.

That's the walk way out towards the reconstructed Crannock.

Unfortunately it was burnt down. I guess wood straw and fire is a risky combination.

They are in the process of building a village and a Crannock on a new site across the loch. It will be accessible and provide sensory gardens etc.

We have spoken to the team and they are keen for us to join them next year in a voluntary capacity.

We are thinking of doing 1 week a month from March to November next year. It would be good to explore the area get to know some of the locals and help create something unique, interesting and worthwhile. A bonus is that there's plenty of room to park the van so it's an exciting proposition!!

On the way back we called into Pitlochry a major tourist destination. Loads of coaches pulling in to access the shopping.

It's also home the the Hydroelectric Dam with the fish ladder. This enables the fish in particular the Salmon to circumnavigate the dam.

Not the right time of year to see the Salmon jumping up here!

This is the view from downstream. A very impressive sight with the power of water turned into electricity.

Hopefully we will return and get some time at the Crannock center next year.

It was a great day with lots of new experiences. Since first spotting these strange islands on the isolated lochs and finding out what they were it was great to be able to put some meat on the bones.

If you're ever up this way it's a great place to visit.

Tomorrow we will jump on the train and do one of our favourite coastal walks from Burntisland to Kilkaldy. The tide is out in the morning and it's a magnificent walk at low tide not so good at high tide There's over a 6 metre drop. The weather is dry with 40 + mph wind so an ideal time for a walk along the seashore!