Nature & Wildlife

Known as Big Tree Country Perthshire can boast some of the most remarkable trees and woodland anywhere in Europe.

Explore Erigmore Estate and you will find a wide assortment of glorious greenery which is home to many different species of trees, flowers and wildlife.

In the Glade there are a huge range of conifers originating from all around the world. The most striking is the Wellingtonia named after the Duke of Wellington and also known as the Giant Redwood. This dates back almost 150 years and is one of the first of its kind to be planted in Britain although it is not the oldest tree on the estate with some of our large and impressive Beech trees in the Dell dating back around 200 years.

Some of the most established conifers on the estate are the Grand Fir, Douglas Fir and the Sitka Spruce all introduced to Britain by David Douglas of Perthshire, after whom the Douglas Fir was named

Nearby, you can visit the Birnam Oak, reputedly a tree standing on the edge of the once magnificent woodland of Birnam Wood where Shakespeare based his play Macbeth.

Evidence of the ancient woodland in which the estate lies can be seen by the abundance of ancient flower species including  woodrushes, heavenly lavender bluebells,  spring flowering wood anemones and early dog violets which offer an early source of nectar for bees and polypody the smooth, randomly found evergreen. Flowers like these, the crowberry, heathers and many more heighten and intensify the backdrop to the estate no matter what the season adding texture, colour and scent.

Being situated on the bank of the Tay offers the opportunity to witness a remarkable range of wildlife. The Tay is one of Scotland's premier salmon and brown trout rivers and the nearby River Braan is good for small 'brownies' . At the river you can see not only the salmon leaping but many native and visiting birds including, Osprey, Golden Eye, Goosander and Red Breasted Merganser. Dippers can often be seen from the bank hunting for insects in the rushing waters

The woodland is full of birds and wildlife too. Listen carefully and you might hear the staccato sound of the great spotted or green woodpeckers drumming. Explore the estate quietly and you could also make friends with our resident family of native red squirrels.