Pitlochry

The name Pitlochry is derived from Pit-clochaire - place by the senitel stone. In Gaelic it is Baile-Chloichrigh - homestead of the stony place. The present spelling of Pitlochry was first used in the Post Office Guide of June 1882, the previous spelling being Pitlochrie. Two families whose names are closely linked with the early history are Ferguson of Baledmund and Butter of Pitlochry. The charter of Baledmund was granted in 1611. In 1731 Finlay Ferguson, who had been out in the 1715, was captured at Preston and pardoned, bought from the Duke of Atholl the estate of Drum of Pitlochry, which included Baledmund. The historic location of the Battle of Killiecrankie can be found a few miles north of Pitlochry. It is now in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland, who have provided an Information Centre where visitors can view an audio-visual display of the battle. The Soldier's Leap, in the pass below the Centre, is a formidable jump. It was here that Donald MacBean, in retreat of Mackay's forces was said to have leapt. On the way down to the Leap there is a viewpoint which earned commendation in Queen Victoria's diary after her visit in 1844. The growth of Pitlochry dates from about 1845, when Queen Victoria visited Blair Atholl. Sir James Clark, the royal physician, formed such a high opinion of the air and climate that he began to prescribe to his patients a holiday there. © Scottish Towns