Enchanted Forest. Pitlochry. Heathergems Jewellery.

http://www.pitlochry.org/whats_on/enchanted-forest.htm

Lo-Call Number: 0871 288 7655
Visit: Just the Ticket, Atholl Road, Pitlochry
International Callers: 0044 1796 947011

Enchanted Forest

My pictures are from the 2014 Enchanted Forest event, Elemental.

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Our 2015 ticket prices are listed below:

Monday – Thursday
Child Under 3: FREE; Child 3 – 15: £7.00; Adult: £16.00; Family Ticket: £45.00

Monday – Thursday Prime Time (7pm – 8pm)
Child Under 3: FREE; Child 3 – 15: £9.00; Adult: £18.00; Family Ticket: £52.00

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Child Under 3: FREE; Child 3 – 15: £10.00; Adult: £20.00; Family Ticket: £55.00
Prices are subject to change subject to demand and may increase as the event dates draw closer.
Children under 3 MUST have a ticket otherwise there will not be a seat allocated to them on the bus. All bus passengers MUST have tickets.
All tickets will be checked at departures and customers must have a valid physical ticket(s). Electronic tickets i.e emails on smart phones etc will not be accepted.

Pitlochry

map

In the heart of Scotland with real hospitality, clear sparkling air, beautiful scenery, rich clan history, fine food, plenty of space and lots to see and do. Pitlochry is primarily a holiday destination, which caters for the holiday maker year round in its own special way. The people are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful as it has been a tourist destination for well over 150 years, counting Queen Victoria amongst its earlier visitors.
Pitlochry is set in spectacular scenery and is ideally located for touring Highland Perthshire or further afield with Edinburgh 75 minutes to the south, St Andrews 90 minutes to the south east, Loch Ness 95 minutes to the north and Braemar and Royal Deeside 90 minutes to the north east.
Access to the outdoors from Pitlochry is easy – whether on foot on way marked trails, by car on country roads, or by bicycle they are all catered for. The area has plentiful wildlife from red and roe deer to the soaring buzzard or the red squirrel. You are likely to see them all here and may be fortunate enough to see Pine Martins, Golden Eagles or Osprey.

Pitlochry Local Walks

Pitlochry, in the heart of Highland Perthshire, is a walker’s paradise. With its excellent network of well-marked routes, ranging from gentle strolls to challenging hikes, and surrounded by dramatic scenery, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All the Pitlochry walks start and finish in the town centre, avoiding the need to use a car, and they are clearly marked with colour-coded sign posts. Covering an area of approximately 20 square miles, there are nearly 41 miles of tracks and paths taking the visitor along river, burn and loch-side, through woodland and up hills, from where there are spectacular views.

One of the most popular short walks is a circular route from the main street, across the River Tummel to the dam on Loch Faskally, to view the salmon ladder and the Hydro Station, on through the ancient hamlet of Port na Craig, and back over the footbridge into Pitlochry. Another short hike takes the visitor through pretty woodland and up a gentle hill to the Edradour distillery – the smallest distillery in Scotland – and on the return journey, there are beautiful views across open farmland with Ben-y-Vrackie mountain as a backdrop.

Pitlochry and its surrounding area is steeped in history and folklore and, to discover more, stop at the National Trust for Scotland’s Visitor Centre on the Killiecrankie walk. Learn about the Battle of Killiecrankie and the Soldier’s Leap, see the Linn of Tummel waterfall, or spot salmon and admire the abundant bird life from one of the many bridges on this route.

For a more energetic experience, try the Bealach route which takes the walker up onto the moorland above Pitlochry offering, along the way, spectacular views south over the town and north towards Blair Atholl. Further afield, but still within easy reach of Pitlochry, are many other interesting walks including the Falls of Bruar to the north, the Hermitage to the south, and the Birks of Aberfeldy to the west. Whatever your ability, you will find a route to suit.

Ben y Vrackie Pitlochry

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A hill walk crossing an area of typical Scottish moorland scenery, before rising to a summit with suburb panoramic views.

Distance: 6 Miles

Loch Faskally

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A long, low-level circuit of a scenic loch, using woodland paths and a quiet minor road.

Distance: 8 Miles

Loch Dunmore

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Two easy woodland trails round Loch Dunmore, or little further round Dunmore Hills.

Distance: 8 Miles

Faskally via Garry Bridge

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An almost level walk, except for some steps, partly on roads, partly along a nature trail footpath through woods.

Distance: 7 Miles

Logierait

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A quiet road walk to Logierait, with possible extension to Strathtay. Distance about 5 miles outwards, 8 km.

Distance: 5m Miles
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Golf

Nestling on the edge of the town, Pitlochry Golf Club’s 18 hole par 69 course lies over rolling countryside at the foot of Ben-y-Vrackie mountain, with a magnificent panorama stretching over the Tummel valley. The Club is open to members, visitors, beginners and experienced golfers alike, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the first class facilities that the Club has to offer. These include an excellent pro shop, run by PGA Professional Mark Pirie, offering a wide range of advice, tuition, clothes and equipment, a newly refurbished clubhouse with a first-rate restaurant and bar, corporate packages, and special offers throughout the year.

Originally laid out in 1908 by Willie Fernie of Troon, and opened in 1909, Pitlochry Golf Club has recently been nominated by Golf World, the UK’s leading golf magazine, as one of its 66 “Hidden Gems”. The Club is Perthshire’s only nominee on this list, and the award acknowledges that these Hidden Gem courses merit much greater attention than they have enjoyed so far.

The Highland Open, hosted by Pitlochry Golf Club, offers the chance for Ladies, Gents and Junior amateur players of all handicaps to compete on this picturesque course. There are on and off course events during the competitions, plenty of lively social life, and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Pitlochry Golf Week, which has been a firm favourite for over 30 years, is a packed week of golfing fun in June, for players of all ages and abilities.

Although there is a putting green at the main Club, there is another 18 hole putting course hidden away on the other side of Pitlochry (in Rie-Achan Road). This offers an excellent training ground for players at all levels, with its undulating landscape, and some surprisingly difficult terrain.

Whatever the time of year, there will be something on offer to golfers and non-golfers at Pitlochry Golf Club.

For more information please visit http://www.pitlochrygolf.co.uk
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Pitlochry Fishing

Enjoy salmon, trout and grayling fishing in the ‘Heart of the Highlands’

Fishing includes superb salmon and trout beats on the River Tummel and River Garry as well as bank and boat fishing on Loch Bhac and Loch Kinardochy for rainbow trout and brown trout respectively.

On the Portnacrig/Pitlochry beat below the dam the 5 year average catch is around 150 salmon with April and May normally being the best months. On the Lower Tummel beat the club has fishing from time to time which provides good sport for salmon and summer grilse.

For more interesting and peaceful fishing, the Ruan Ruarie beat on the river Garry is popular after May when the salmon move up into the headwater reaches of the Tilt and Errochty water.

The River Tummel below the Dam is one of the finest brown trout rivers in Scotland while the Upper Tummel above the Falls of Tummel is a smaller river with some nice rocky pools and runs.

Loch Bhac is set in a beautiful location and can be fished from boat or bank for rainbow trout.

Loch Kinardochy is located in the hills above loch Tummel and contains some lovely brown trout up to 2-3lbs.

Contact the club mobile – 07541404048 for any advice and assistance
Pitlochry Angling Club
PO Box 7222
Pitlochry
Perthshire
PH16 9AE
Tel: 07541 404048

Website: http://www.pitlochryanglingclub.com
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Pitlochry Water Sports

Loch Faskally was formed when the Tummel Valley was dammed for the Hydro scheme at Pitlochry. It was the last of the dams in the Hydro schemeand there is a major power station at it’s base. Built into the dam is not only a fish ladder, but also a public viewing gallery, from April to October you will often see salmon as they pass through the ladder. Around 5500 ascend the dam every year.

While fishing on Loch Faskally you can enjoy some of Pitlochry’s most breathtaking scenery and catch a glimpse of some rare wildlife ie osprey, heron, eagles, kingfishers, ducks, otters and deer.
Total adventure in Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire – the best of Scotland, with a difference. A taster day for an office day out, a relaxing break for all the family – or a week long package of outdoor activities for a group of kids. Or a superb, residential fun or business event in Highland Perthshire – the ‘very best of Scotland’

Highland Fling Bungee

We are the UK’s first and only purpose built jump platform. A once-in-a-lifetime free-fall experience of 40 metres towards water from a bridge with one of Scotlands most iconic views. Open all year round

National Trust Killiecrankie Visitor Centre
Killiecrankie
Perthshire, PH16 5LG

Tel: 08453665844
Website http://www.bungeejumpscotland.co.uk

Nae Limits

One of Europe’s leading adventure sports providers providing award-winning outdoor adventure activities from their base in Perthshire. Fantastic White Water Rafting on the River Tay & River Tummel, Canyoning in the Falls of Bruar, Adventure and White Water Tubing, the UK’s first Aqualine, land activities such as Quad Biking and Paintball and adventure activities for under 12’s at Wee Limits. Offering multi activity days and activity breaks with a range of accommodation options. Catering for individuals, adventurers, families, stag & hen groups and schools.

Unit 1 & 2, Ballinluig
Perthshire, PH9 0LG

Tel: 01796 482600
Website http://www.naelimits.co.uk

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Queens View

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A short drive from Pitlochry, along a winding tree-lined road, hugging the River Tummel, lies the Queen’s View. This famous vantage point looks out over one of the most iconic panoramas in Scotland, directly to the west along Loch Tummel from where, on a clear day, you can sometimes see the mountains surrounding Glencoe by the West Coast. A popular destination since Victorian times, it is often thought that the location was named after Queen Victoria who did, in fact, visit in 1866 . However, it is more widely believed to have been named after Queen Isabella the 14th century wife of Robert the Bruce who used the spot as a resting place on her travels

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Just beside the car/coach park at the Queen’s View there is an excellent tea room which serves delicious lunches, teas and cakes from April until the end of October. Across the courtyard is a first class visitor centre, provided by the Forestry Commission, with a video corner showing local wildlife and history, and a shop stocked with a wide range of guide books, covering the flora and fauna of Highland Perthshire, as well as maps and gifts. There are also toilets.

The surrounding area of Strathtummel makes up part of Perthshire’s Big Tree Country and there are plenty of beautiful forest walks nearby. From Allean Forest, just west of Queen’s View, take in the magnificent views over Loch Tummel, and look out for the remains of an 8th century ring fort and a reconstructed 18th century farmstead. Recently two kilometres of paths, and more bridges, have been added, making access to the forest even easier for visitors. Allean Forest is currently closed to the public, following considerable storm damage, so please check http://www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk for further details
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Are you visiting and staying in Pitlochry and want to find out what’s on? The below events are on during the year…

New Years Day Party
Winter Words Festival
Winter Lighting
Etape Caledonia
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Ladies Highland Open
Mens Highland Open
Highland Games
Pitlochry in Autumn
Enchanted Forest
Heartland FM
Logierait Market

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Food

McKays Bar & Restaurant

We pride ourselves that all the meat used in our menu is Scottish and supplied by local Pitlochry Butcher, McDonald Brothers, who have been supplying Pitlochry for fifty years. All their produce is direct from local Scottish farms.

McKays Bar & Restaurant
140 Atholl Road
Pitlochry. PH16 5AG
Tel: 01796 473888
Website: http://www.mckayshotel.co.uk

Steakhouse at Acarsaid Hotel

The Steakhouse at Acarsaid embraces the region’s plentiful harvest and has created a menu that celebrates the great and the good of Scottish beef, lamb, pork and chicken. Most of our fresh fish and shellfish have been sourced straight from the West Coast. Relax, have a pre-dinner in one of our comfortable lounges whilst choosing from our menu or daily specials.

Open from 5:45 every evening in the main season. Booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

8 Atholl Road,
Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5BX
Tel: 01796 472389
Website: http://www.acarsaidhotel.com/steakhouse

Knockendarroch – Hotel & Restaurant

Daily changing menu in our AA two rosette restaurant. Pre-theatre dining available. Restaurant booking essential. Contemporary country house style in a quiet, elevated position in central Pitlochry. Stunning panoramic views of Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire from most of our 12 en-suite bedrooms. Comfortable guest lounges with log fires. Free wifi throughout.

Knockendarroch – Hotel & Restaurant
Higher Oakfield
Pitlochry, PH16 5HT
Tel: 01796 473473
Website: http://www.knockendarroch.co.uk

Strathgarry Restaurant & Rooms

At the Strathgarry we have built an excellent reputation for serving a variety of traditional Scottish dishes using fresh and local produce.

Our restaurant opens daily from 9am serving a wide range of breakfast items. Coffee, tea and a range of cakes and freshly baked pastries are served all day until 6pm. Our main menu is available all day with lunch time specials served from 12pm until 6pm and evening specials served till closure.

Opening Times: Open daily from 9am

Strathgarry Restaurant
113 Atholl Road
Pitlochry. PH16 5AG
Tel: 01796 472469
Website: http://www.strathgarryhotel.co.uk

 

Victoria’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop

Family owned, with the emphasis on friendly, attentive service, in informal surroundings. Serving breakfasts, specialty coffees & teas, patisserie, home baking, lunches & light meals 9.30am to 5.30pm. From 5.30pm provides a bistro style dinner menu with freshly made Italian pizzas, fajitas, charcoal grilled steaks, seafood, pasta, burgers, vegetarian dishes & traditionally Scottish fayre.
Victoria’s of Pitlochry
45 Atholl Road
Pitlochry
PH16 5BX
Tel: 01796 472670
Website: http://www.victorias-pitlochry.co.uk

East Haugh House

If you’re looking for delicious food in Pitlochry then this award-winning restaurant is the perfect choice. East Haugh House is a stunning 16th century turreted stone house located just a mile south of Pitlochry in the picturesque Perthshire countryside. Hailed as a hidden gem with ‘the best food in the area’, the menu focuses on locally sourced seafood and game dishes including scallops, venison, and the famous ‘East Haugh’ burger with hand-cut chips! East Haugh House has an extensive a la carte menu as well as daily specials. The menu is served in the Fisherman’s Bar with cosy log fire, or the beautiful Two Sisters Restaurant. Pre-theatre meals available.

East Haugh House Hotel
Pitlochry
PH16 5TE
Tel: 01796 473121
Website: http://www.easthaugh.co.uk

Logierait Inn

Good, Honest Food…and just a short worthwhile drive from Pitlochry. Warm and snug with log fires, a friendly welcome and good honest food, well cooked with locally sourced produce where ever possible. Nothing beats the taste and comfort of real home made food and that is what we at the Logierait Inn strive to offer our valued customers – nothing is too much trouble.

The Logierait Inn, nr Ballinluig,
Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH9 0LJ
Tel: 01796 482423
Website: http://www.logieraitinn.co.uk

The Clubhouse Bar & Restaurant

The Pitlochry Golf Clubhouse is popular with golfers, visiting parties, local families and tourists. The clubhouse has an open licence and is open to all, serving a wide selection of filled rolls, light meals and home baking throughout the day. A great value evening menu and wine list make the restaurant the ideal spot in town to enjoy good company and quality food (from local suppliers).

The Clubhouse Bar & Restaurant
Golf Course Road
Pitlochry
PH16 5QY
Tel: 01796 472334
Website: http://www.pitlochryrestaurant.co.uk

Fern Cottage

A beautiful traditional stone built cottage, in the centre of Pitlochry’s charming main street, Fern Cottage has oodles of charm and character. Our menus combine the finest Scottish ingredients with the best of mediteranean hospitality, offering a unique mix of flavours, tastes and culture. All our food is freshly cooked when make your choice.
Fern Cottage
Ferry Road
Pitlochry
PH16 5DD
Tel: 01796 473840
Website: http://www.ferncottagepitlochry.co.uk

The Chippy at McKays

Ardchoille comes form the Gaelic meaning the ‘High wood’. It started life in 1961 when it opened as a place where you could have a coffee and listen to the juke box. The Chippy at McKays has been continuously owned by the same family since it opened and has served well over one million fish and chips. Indoor and out door patio seating during the summer.

The Chippy at McKays
140 Atholl Road
Pitlochry. PH16 5AG
Tel: 01796 472170

Website: http://www.mckayshotel.co.uk

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Pitlochry is on the main A9 Scottish trunk road system so it is easy to travel by car to Pitlochry. You will find the roads relatively free of traffic compared to the big towns and cities in the south. Our equivalent of a traffic jam is being stuck behind a caravan or tractor.

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Heathergems

 

Heathergems is my favourite shop in Pitlochry. I love it!!
Heathergems Visitor Centre and Factory Shop is in Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. Come and visit us and watch this unique and wonderful process from start to finish in our viewing gallery. Watch as our skilled craftspeople handcraft the Heathergems from natural Scottish heather and see how we make this unique Scottish jewellery and Celtic giftware.

We have a wide range of Heathergems and other Scottish products in our Factory Shop. You will find many shop specials and discounted items only available in our shop. We have an extensive range of Heathergems on sale in many different styles and colours sure to appeal to all ages. We are the ONLY manufacturers of this unique jewellery in the world.

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Location & Opening Times
Heathergems Visitor Centre
& Factory Shop
22 Atholl Road, Pitlochry
Perthshire, PH16 5BX
Scotland, UK

Head Office
+44 (0)1294 313222

Visitor Centre
+44 (0)1796 474391

We are open 7 days a week
Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5pm

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Heathergems is a unique and imaginative range of Scottish jewellery and giftware, made in Pitlochry, Scotland from natural heather stems. We are the only manufacturers of this unique Scottish product anywhere in the world.

makingheathergems

A division of Charles Buyers & Co Ltd, Heathergems is a family run business based in Pitlochry, Scotland. Heathergems have been produced since the 1950s, shortly after the Second World War. There was a shortage of wood and certain types were rationed and could only be used for limited purposes.

A group of four men set up a workshop near Loch Lomond, where they used small branches of beech wood compressed together to produce flooring tiles. The process was too expensive to produce a floor and only lasted a short time.

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Hugh Kerr a craftsman from Glenlivet developed the process using heather stems and started making Heathergems in very small quantities in his own workshop. In 1969 Hugh met Charles Buyers, a Glasgow Accountant, who was looking for craft industries to be set up in the Highlands as a project for the then Highlands and Islands Development Board. The board decided that it was not viable so Charles decided to put his own money behind Heathergems.

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The original company was set up in a small factory in East Kilbride and began producing Heathergems in the spring of 1970. A few years later it was decided it should be moved to a more natural home in the Highlands. As a result, the company moved to Blair Atholl in Perthshire in 1979. Hugh Kerr died in 1974 and Charles Buyers in 1992. The family decided to move to a new factory in Pitlochry. This has been developed over the years and now includes and shop and visitor centre.

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Heathergems are now stocked in many shops throughout the UK and across the world. We are the only manufacturers of this patented product.
http://www.heathergems.com/index.php

Below are some examples of what you can buy in both the shop and online at their website.
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£14.95
Thistle Brooch

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Traditional Scottish Thistle Brooch in Pewter.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 37L x 30W mm

Product code: CHB1
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Macintosh Earrings

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Macintosh Silver Plated Heathergem Drop Earrings.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 18L x 18W mm

Product code: HE77

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Heathergem Oval Ring

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Heathergem Silver Plated Ring.

Fully Adjustable

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: Open Backed

Product code: HR4
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Tree Of Life Pendant

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Tree of Life Silver Plated Heathergem Pendant.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 26mm x 26mm

Chain: 18″ Plated Chain

Product code: HP100
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Open Heart Pendant

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Open Heart Heather Pendant.

Beautiful handmade all Heathergem pendant.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 34L x 32W mm

Chain: 20″ Silver Plated Chain.

Product code: HP40
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Heathergem Thimble

£28.95
Heathergem Thimble

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Heathergem Thimble

Great Gift Idea.

Supplied in an attractiveorganza bag with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever eactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: L x W mm

Product code: HG11
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Hair Clasp

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Heathergem Hair Clasp.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 80L x 22W mm

Product code: SS01H

Hair Clasp

£22.95
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Celtic Picture Frame

£29.95

Celtic Picture Frame

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Heathergem Celtic Pewter Picture Frame.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 69 L x 57 W mm

Product code: HG10
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Medium Heather Block End

£4.95

Medium Heather Block End

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Medium Heather Block End.

Please note price is for one block end and colours will be selected at random.

The dyed heather stems are compressed into a block. The block end is a section cut from the top of the heather block.

The unique and beautiful heather grain makes this a great and unusual Scottish ornament or gift.

Supplied with a story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: Approx 105mm x 60mm

Product code: HBE2
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£17.95
Scottie Dog Brooch

Product Description
Delivery Details

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Scottie Dog Heathergem Brooch.

Made from Scottish Heather.

Supplied in a gift box with story card on how we make Heathergems. Heathergems are unique and no two are ever exactly the same.

Handcrafted in Scotland.

Dimensions: 35mm x 25mm

Product code: HB16
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Where possible we aim to match the colour in the picture but unless a specific colour is requested in the special instruction box at checkout colours may vary
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Advertisement

Scottish Heather

Heather grows freely and abundantly spreading it’s purple hues across around five million acres of Scottish moorland, glens and hills.  The color of wild Scottish heather usually ranges from lilac to purple.
You can also find white heather growing wild but it’s much less common.

 

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History & Traditional Uses

Heather has been plentiful in Scotland for as long as it’s history has been written (and probably before that too).
The Druids considered it a sacred plant. Even today some people consider it to have almost supernatural properties, sort of a ‘charm’, which is believed to offer protection from harm (especially rape or violent attack).
On a more mundane level it’s used in aromatherapy to relieve a host of different problems. Over thousands of years, the inventive, practical and resourceful Scots have found a whole host of uses for this natural bounty:

Construction

Especially on Scotland’s islands, heather played a major role in building construction. It was used in walls, thatched roofs, ropes, pegs and more. It also appeared in the thatched roofs of mainland houses.

Mattresses

Since ancient times dried Scottish heather was used as a sort of fragrant and bouncy mattress. Evidence of this has been found in a 4000 year old village on the island of Skara Brae in the Orkneys. Historically, heather beds were considered to be just as comfortable as feather beds because the dried stalks and flowers are so light and soft. A bed made from heather had the added extra of original aromatherapy, and the fragrant flower heads were usually placed towards the top of the mattress where the sleeper’s head would lie.

Household tools

Heather stems are tough, strong and resilient and were used in making a whole variety of implements including brooms, farming tools such as hoes or rakes and ropes.

To dye cloth 

Heather was perfect for dying roughspun cloth and wool. Depending on the type of heather used  it could produce muted yellow, gold, bronze, gray, green and purple colors.

As medicine

Heather was believed to have some amazing medicinal properties, and was used by ancient Scots to treat all sorts of conditions and ailments. These included nervousness and anxiety, coughs, consumption (now known as TB), digestive issues, poisoning, blindness, arthritis, rheumatism and more. It was made into a wide variety of different drinks, potions, ointments and salves. Today Heather is still used effectively in aromatherapy products to treat digestive upset, skin problems, coughs and insomnia. Also as an internal cleanser and detoxifier, due to it’s slightly diuretic properties.

And last, but not least, heather is used to create the most deliciously scented soaps, candles, perfumes and more.

Heather Ale

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The brewing of Scotland’s Heather Ale goes back thousands of years, and is thought to be one of the oldest types of ale in the world. On the tiny Isle of Rum, off the west coast of Scotland, 3000 year old shards of pottery have been found which contain traces of a fermented drink made from Heather!
It’s believed that the Picts developed a recipe for Ale that relied entirely on the Heather plant for its’ sweetness and fermentation. It was valued so highly that the recipe was kept a secret, with only the King and his first-born son knowing what went into it.
This ‘secret potion’ was then be passed on down through the generations.
This brew was immortalized in the poem entitled ‘HEATHER ALE : A Galloway Legend’ by Robert Louis Stevenson. It tells, in verse, the legend of the Pictish King who sacrificed both his life, and that of his son, to protect the secret recipe.
The first few lines of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem go like this…….
‘From the bonny bells of heather,
They brew a drink Langsyn
Was sweeter far than honey
Was stronger far than wine.’

Here’s a recipe, not the secret one but a recipe nonetheless.
http://beersmithrecipes.com/viewrecipe/2922/highland-heather-ale

 

The Last Pictish King & Heather Ale

One of the most well-known legends is centered around a confrontation between Viking raiders and the last surviving Pictish King.
Some accounts put it during the 4th Century AD, but as the Vikings didn’t actually appear on Scottish soil until the end of the 8th Century, this is unlikely….
After their army is defeated, the Pictish King and his son find themselves cornered on a cliff-top, where the Viking chief tortures them in an attempt to obtain the secret recipe for Heather Ale.
The King of the Picts is quick witted, but doubts that his son is strong enough to withstand the torture without giving up the recipe. So he makes a deal with the Viking Chief, saying that if his son is spared the torture and killed quickly, he himself will reveal the secret.
The young prince is then thrown off the cliff and into the sea where he drowns quickly. BUT, the Pictish King doesn’t uphold his end of the arrangement, and although it costs him his life he wins the battle and the recipe is safe.

In some variations of the tale the brave King takes the Viking over the edge of the cliff with him.

 

Heather Honey

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Bees work for months to collect enough pollen to produce this beautiful thick, golden Scottish Heather Honey with the unique and delicate taste of Scottish heather.
As well as being delicious, heather honey is rich in minerals and was traditionally used in medicinal drinks and potions.
I love this place for heather honey and various other uses of the heather.
http://www.heatherhills.co.uk/

 

 

White Heather

Legend has it that in the 3rd Century AD, Malvina (daughter of the legendary Scottish poet, Ossian), was betrothed to a Celtic warrior named Oscar. Tragically, Oscar died in battle, and when Malvina heard the news she was heartbroken. The messenger who delivered the bad news, also delivered a spray of purple heather that Oscar had sent as a final token of his undying love for her. It’s said that when Malvinas’ tears fell onto the flowers in her hand, they immediately turned white, and this magical occurrence prompted her to say

‘although it is the symbol of my sorrow, may the white heather bring good fortune to all who find it.’

Even today, white Heather is considered to be lucky, especially for brides, and adding a spray of it to your bouquet, on table decorations and so on is popular.
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Other myths surrounding the magical properties of white Scottish Heather include:
• The belief that it grows only on ground where blood has not been shed in battle
•Also, more enchantingly, that it grows over the final resting place of Faeries.
•White heather is closely associated with battles and conflict, and is said to bring good luck to whoever wears it.
In 1884 even Queen Victoria commented on this character trait during a visit to the Scottish Highlands. Describing an incident which involved one of her personal servants, she said …..

‘… he espied a piece of white heather, and jumped off to pick it. No Hihglander would pass by it without picking it, for it was considered to bring good luck.’

 

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