The Birks of Aberfeldy (‘birks’ from the Scots for birch trees) is a 1.5 mile circular walk along the Moness Glen on the outskirts of Aberfeldy in Perthshire, Scotland where there are a series of hanging waterfalls through mature mixed woodland.
The Birks 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.
The Birks Of Aberfeldy Walk is along a well-defined circular path. The clockwise direction gives the most spectacular views, while having steepest climbs going up many steps. The anti-clockwise we are told is kinder on the knees! Leaflets giving details of the walk and some of the plants and birds can be obtained for the Visitor Information Centre in the Square, Aberfeldy.
The walk is 1.5 miles in length (allow 1.5 to 2hours) begins from the upper level of the Birks car park. The path slowly ascends up to 150m above where you start with beautiful views all the way up. Eventually you will reach the Upper Falls of Moness which are 380m in height and drop in 3 tiers.
As you descend on the opposite side of the river on your return you will be rewarded with great views of the Falls of Moness as well as numerous small waterfalls running into the main river from the sides of the gorge.
At a small rocky cleft you will find an engraved plaque marking the location where Robert Burns was inspired to pen his famous lyrics for The Birks of Aberfeldy.
It was in 1787 Robert Burns was inspired to write the lyrics for The Birks Of Aberfeldy after being inspired by the beauty of this location with the beech trees and the stunning Falls of Moness on the outskirts of Aberfeldy, Perthshire during a tour of the Scottish Highlands with his friend William Nicol.
The Birks of Aberfeldy
Bonnie lassie, will ye go,
Will ye go, will ye go?
Bonnie lassie, will ye go
Tae the birks of Aberfeldy?Now Simmer blinks on flow’ry braes,
And o’er the crystal streamlets plays;
Come, let us spend the lightsome days
In the birks of Aberfeldy.The little birdies blythely sing,
While o’er their heads the hazels hing,
Or lightly flit on wanton wing
In the birks of Aberfeldy.The braes ascend like lofty wa’s,
The foaming stream, deep-roaring, fa’s
O’erhung wi’ fragrant-spreading shaws
The birks of Aberfeldy.The hoary cliffs are crown’d wi flowers,
White o’er the linns the burnie pours,
And, rising, weets wi’ misty showers
The birks of Aberfeldy.Let Fortune’s gifts at random flee,
They ne’er shall draw a wish frae me;
Supremely blest wi’ love and thee
In the birks of Aberfeldy.Robert Burns 1787
Further on down the river and close to the corssing bridge that takes you back to the car park is a statue of Robert Burns sitting on a bench with his notepad in hand.
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