Exploring Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross, A Drive Through.

This drive through travels from Wade's Bridge to Dewar's Distillery, Aberfeldy.

Aberfeldy is a town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Much of its history stems from around the early 18th century after the Jacobite rebellion.

General George Wade, who is best known for his leadership in the construction of military buildings and roads in Scotland, inadvertently played a significant role in the town's history by building a military bridge across the River Tay in 1733 as part of his efforts to improve military transportation in the Highlands.

The bridge, designed by William Adam, is a five-arch bridge and is considered an outstanding example of military engineering from that period. It is the only one of Wade's bridges still in daily use and carries the B846 road over the River Tay. The bridge is nearly 400 feet long with a principal arch spanning 60 feet, It was designed to carry General Wade's military road across the river. Today, it carries both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, serving as an important historical and functional landmark in the area.

The Black Watch is a historic regiment with a significant connection to Aberfeldy. The regiment, was first assembled in a field between Weem and Taybridge, Aberfeldy in the county of Perth in May 1740. The name "Black Watch" is associated with the force raised in the wake of the 1715 Jacobite rebellion, comprising trustworthy Highlanders who were tasked with maintaining law and order in the Highlands.

The Black Watch has a long history of honour, gallantry, and devoted service to king, queen, and country. The regiment has been involved in numerous conflicts, including the French and Indian Wars, the Crimean War, the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The Black Watch's service in the Highlands and beyond has been characterised by bravery and sacrifice, and the regiment's legacy is deeply intertwined with the both the history Aberfeldy and of Scotland.

The monument was struck by lightning in 1910, causing extensive damage, but it was repaired and fitted with a lightning conductor strap to avoid a re-occurrence.

The Black Watch was granted the freedom of Aberfeldy in 1970, reflecting the strong bond between the regiment and the town.

The monument, located near Wade's Bridge, consists of a massive cairn topped with a statue of a soldier wearing the original Black Watch Regimental uniform.

The town of Aberfeldy itself began to take shape after the bridge was built, and it saw further development with the arrival of the railway in 1865. Aberfeldy is also known for its whisky-making heritage, with the Aberfeldy Distillery being established in 1898 by the Dewar family, who were pioneers of Blended Scotch. The distillery continues to operate and is a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours and tastings of its single malt whisky.

In the town square there is a victorian drinking fountain erected in 1885 by the Marquis of Breadalbane as a "thank you" to the town's inhabitants.

Also in the square is the Birks Cinema. The Birks first opened on 3rd July 1939. It was built by Strathmore Cinemas, it originally had a 436-seat capacity and showcased the first film "Sixty Glorious Years" followed by "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".

The cinema operated until the early 1980s, after which it was closed and later converted into a family amusements arcade and snooker club. In 2009, it was purchased by the Friends of the Birks Cinema, and after extensive restoration and renovation, it was reopened on 19th April 2013 with a reduced seating capacity of 100 and state-of-the-art digital projection including 3D.

The Birks Cinema is now a model community venture, offering a gathering place for locals and visitors, a cafe, and a fully accessible facility. It has become a significant part of the Aberfeldy community, showcasing a wide range of films and live performances.

Aberfeldy has been mentioned in poems and song from Robert Burns to Ed Sheeran. In more contemporary times the people of Aberfeldy have been opening up their houses for Ukrainian refugees.

Music:
Two Becomes One, David Celeste, Epidemic Sound.
Known in Heaven, JOYSPRING, Epidemic Sound.

Links:

https://www.visitaberfeldy.co.uk/see-...
https://www.highlandperthshire.com/re...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberf... https://www.visitscotland.com/info/se...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_B...