Forest of the Glens

Posted by Coll Maclean on September 03, 2011 0 Comments

The beautiful village of Comrie sits at the confluence of three rivers, the Ruchill, the Lednock and the Earn, and at the meeting of the Glens, Lednock and Artney. The name “Comrie” comes from the Gaelic “Conruith” meaning “where rivers meet”.

Comrie lies at the heart of Scotland, to the west of Perth in the scenic beauty of Strathearn, with the rolling Lowlands to the south and the majestic Highlands rising to the north.

Comrie has earned the nickname “The Shaky Toon”, as it lies on the Highland Boundary Fault, and has throughout history experienced earthquakes. In fact, the world’s first seismometer was set up in Comrie in 1840, and can still be found here in the Earthquake House.

All our trees are planted in the “Forest of the Glens”, on land surrounding Balmuick Farm, just to the north of Comrie. Set within the rolling hills and glens, against the rising backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, Balmuick is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is also an area of unique calm, tranquillity and splendour. Standing in our forest you can feel the centuries of Scotland’s proud history and heritage.

At Comrie we are recreating a natural Scottish woodland, returning the land to the way nature intended. We plant only those species which we can prove have historically grown here, and we will never harvest our trees.

The village of Comrie is steeped in the history of Scotland’s past. Located at the heart of Scotland, it seems that Comrie and the area surrounding it, has witnessed all of the most significant events in our proud history.

In Roman times Comrie housed a fort built by General Agricola in 79AD. This was one of the largest of the “Glen Blocking” forts running from Drumquhassle to Strathcathro , built to protect Roman occupied areas to the south from Caledonian attacks through the Glens. The famous battle of Mons Grapius between the Celts and the Romans is said to have taken place nearby. Local legend has it that on a still summer evening, the sounds of battle can be heard echoing through the Glens.

In later years Comrie’s prosperity grew around the weaving industry.This was a true “cottage industry” in which the villagers worked from their own homes.
Comrie also became an important droving town. Cattle from the grazing areas in the Highlands would be driven down on their way to the markets in the Scottish Lowlands. Due to its position and river crossings, Comrie became an important staging post on the journey.

Comrie and its surroundings have played an important part in Scottish history. The area resonates with the great and famous deeds and people of Scotland’s proud history. From the early part of the Wars of Independence, to the stirring victories of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn, the path of Scottish history runs through this area. So many great and famous names from the history and culture of Scotland have left their mark here. So many who have played their part to make Scotland the proud nation she is today have close ties with our area.

Follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, Robert Burns, Rob Roy McGregor ,Sir Walter Scott ……………………as they play their part in the making of SCOTLAND.