Directions from Culloden House to Taychreggan Hotel The time is approximately 3 - 4 hours, not counting stops.

Directions: From Culloden House, retrace your steps to the top of the drive and take a right. Drive to the bottom of the road, take a left onto the A96 heading towards Inverness. Go straight through the first roundabout, and at the second roundabout bear left onto the A9 heading towards Perth. Shortly before Pitlochry, stop at Blair Castle, located off the A9 in the village of Blair Athol.

Blair Castle is home to the Duke of Athol, chieftain of the Athol Murray clan. Altered most recently in the Scottish Baronial style, the imposing structure sits in a sweep of parkland. It has a lovely tapestry room, Jacobite relics--Lord Murray was Bonnie Prince Charlie's chief military adviser and a fine collection of armour. T: (0)1-796-481207. Open April through October.

Directions: After visiting Blair Castle, return to the A9, heading south. At Pitlochry you have a choice to make, head west on the A827 returning to Taychreggan Hotel, or make a side trip south out of the Highlands towards Perth and Edinburgh.

Sidetrip to Perth/Edinburgh

Accommodation

Ballathie House Hotel Kinclaven, by Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland Int'l Tel: +44 1250 883268 UK Tel: (0)1250 883268 www.ballathiehousehotel.com email: info@ballathiehouse.com

Spend the night at Ballathie House Hotel, an 1850 house of great character situated in its own estate overlooking the River Tay. Using this as your home base, within an hour's drive you can tour Glamis, the family home of the Queen Mother; Scone Palace, where once all the kings of Scotland were crowned; and the city of Edinburgh.

Directions to Ballathie House Hotel: Continuing south on the A9, exit it two miles north of Perth, taking the B9099 through Stanley. Turn right at sign for Kinclaven (& Ballathie). Scone Palace, Perth: Open Easter through October, call (0)1738 552300 for hours and days. Glamis Castle, situated on the A94 between Perth and Aberdeen, open April through October, 10:30 am - 4:45 pm.

Directions back towards Taychreggan: Return to the A9 where, near Pitlochry, you'll exit west on the A827 heading towards Aberfeldy, Kenmore and Loch Tay. Just before Kenmore the A827 bears to the right, but stay straight--going onto a small road that has a sign indicating Scottish Crannog Centre ahead.

Scottish Crannog Centre. Crannogs are ancient loch dwellings built out in the water as defensive homelands. Based on excavation results, archeologist divers have reconstructed a Bronze Age crannog on Loch Tay's shore. Here you can also observe demonstrations of ancient skills such as weaving and carving tools from wood. An enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff presides over the Centre. Open April through October. T: (0)1-887-830583, www.crannog.co.uk.

Directions: Retrace your steps to the A827, turning left towards Kenmore and Killin. Stop at Killin at the Breadalbane Folklore Centre.

Breadalbane Folklore Centre. Overlooking the Falls of Dochart and housed in a restored watermill, this Centre gives insight into the life and deeds of Breadalbane-the "High Country" of Scotland. You can learn about the vivid history of outlawed clans as well as Breadalbane's diverse wildlife. Open March ­ October, and on February weekends. T: (0)1-567-820254.

Directions to Taychreggan hotel: Return to the A827, continuing west. The road becomes A85 heading towards Dalmally and Oban. One mile before Taynuilt, turn left onto the B845 signposted to Kilchrenan. Taychreggan Hotel is seven miles down this road at the very end, right on the shores of Loch Awe. T: (0)1-866-833211.