Queen's View

Today's the day ........................... for childhood memories

When I was young, I remember coming to this place many times.

I had a granny who lived in Edinburgh - and another one who lived in Motherwell. We used to come and see them every year in the spring and spend a week with each of them. We used to go out most days to explore the surrounding countryside to places like Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - and around here near Pitlochry.

I remember going to the Pass of Killicrankie and hearing the story of how the soldier Donald MacBean was motivated to jump 18 ft across the gorge in a desperate attempt to escape from the pursuing Highlanders. It had always seemed an impossible distance in the past - but today, it seemed almost do-able!

This is Queen's View, made famous by the visit of Queen Victoria in 1866 - but probably named after Queen Isabella, wife of Robert the Bruce. On a clear day you can see the mountains of Glencoe in the far distance. I seem to remember that we just scrambled down to the viewing platform. Nowadays there's a proper path, an enormous car park and a big visitors' centre with a café.

Ah well - that's progress for you ........................