Aberfeldy, Scotland

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Aberfeldy
scots_name=
gaelic_name=
population= 1,895 [cite web|publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online|title =Comparative Population Profile: Aberfeldy Locality | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=aberfeldy&mainLevel=Locality | date = 2001-04-29| accessdate =2008-08-31 ] (2001 census)
est. 1,940 [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data] (2006)
os_grid_reference=NN865496
map_type=Scotland
latitude=56.618134
longitude=-3.865500
unitary_scotland= Perth and Kinross
lieutenancy_scotland=
constituency_westminster=
constituency_scottish_parliament=
post_town= ABERFELDY
postcode_district = PH15 2xx
postcode_area= PH
dial_code= 01887

Aberfeldy ("Obar Pheallaidh" in Gaelic) is a burgh in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, on the River Tay.

Aberfeldy is a particularly handsome, small Scottish market town located at the heart of Scotland in Highland Perthshire witha population of around 2000. Wade's Bridge (its most memorable construction) was built in 1733 to the design of architect William Adam, father of the more famous Robert Adam. General Wade considered his bridge at Aberfeldy to be his greatest accomplishment. Next to the bridge you will also find the Black Watch memorial commemorating the raising of the world famous regiment. There is an 18 hole golf course and large public putting green. A new award winning children's play park opened in June 2007.

Aberfeldy is also home to a variety of colourful shops, including Scalliwags & Rogues, in the Square. There are also two independent bookshops, a garage, co-op supermarket, deli, coffee shops, fish and chip shop, the famous highland outfitters P&J Haggarts, and many other speciality and traditional shops that reward the inquisitive. There are also two art galleries.

Robert Burns featured the town in his poem, "The Birks of Aberfeldy", and it is mentioned in the traditional "Loch Tay Boat Song".

On 27 November 2002, Aberfeldy was granted Fairtrade Town status. This status was renewed by the Fairtrade Foundation on 15 December 2003.

In 2005 a new church centre for the Parish Church was opened in the former Breadalbane Church in Taybridge Road, serving the congregations which previously worshipped in the former St Andrew's Church in Crieff Road, the former Congregational church in the Square, and the former Free Church in Chapel Street. Mark Drane was inducted as the new COS Minister on 30 April 2007.

There is a newly built Catholic Church in the town in Home street. All churches welcome visitors.

The Aberfeldy Footbridge over the River Tay was the world's first bridge constructed entirely of composite materials. It connects two holes of a golf course on either side of the river. It is a bit wobbly when you walk over it, which is fun.

Breadalbane Cricket Club, founded in 1869, play home matches at Victoria Park in Aberfeldy. The team are the Perthshire Cup Winners for 2007 and Strathmore Cricket Union Champions in 2006. The club now has a strong youth training programme available.

Geographical Location

* Aberfeldy is situated in the Tay Valley on the upper reaches of the River Tay (around 300 feet asl). 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 (m) 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, possibly Scotland's most stunning and least-visited valley, 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.

Local Weather

* [http://www.aberfeldyweather.com The Wonderful World of Aberfeldy Weather]

References

External links

* [http://www.aberfeldy.co.uk Aberfeldy Tourism Website]
*
* [http://www.aberfeldy.net Aberfeldy Hotel Accommodation]
* [http://www.ngcc.org.uk/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=1003 Aberfeldy Footbridge over the River Tay]

Celebrities

Actor Alan Cumming was born in Aberfeldy in 1965 but rarely visits preferring to live in Skinflats, near Falkirk.Author J. K. Rowling purchased a 19th century estate house, Killiechassie House, on the banks of the River Tay, near Aberfeldy.

ee also

*List of places in Perth and Kinross