Introduction
Welcome to our blog about this Errol Walk, along the banks of the beautiful River Tay! We’ll be starting our journey in the charming village of Errol, in the council area of Perth and Kinross in Scotland. The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and has a rich history dating back to ancient times. It is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, making it a great destination for nature lovers. As we walk along the banks of the river, we’ll be taking in the stunning scenery, learning about the local history, and enjoying all that the River Tay offers. So come along with us and discover the beauty of the River Tay!
Errol Walk – About Errol
Nestled along the banks of the River Tay, this small village has a rich history and a lot to offer visitors.
Errol has been a settlement for thousands of years, with evidence of ancient settlements dating back to the Iron Age. In the Middle Ages, it was an important market town and home to a castle, which was later destroyed during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The village continued to thrive in the following centuries and today, it remains a vibrant and welcoming community.
One of the most notable landmarks in Errol is St. Mary’s Church, a beautiful medieval church that dates back to the 12th century. The church has undergone several renovations over the years, but it still keeps much of its original character and charm. Visitors can take a tour of the church and learn about its rich history.
Errol is also home to several local businesses, including a bakery, a grocery store, and a pub. The village is a great place to stop for a bite to eat or to pick up some locally made products.
Besides its history and local amenities, Errol is also a great destination for nature lovers. The River Tay is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, and there are several beautiful walking trails that follow the river’s banks. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll or embark on a more strenuous hike, there’s something for everyone.
Route Map – Errol Walk – Dog Banks
Points of Interest along the Errol Walk
Errol Church (1)
The Church
As we walked through the charming village of Errol, we couldn’t help but notice the beautiful and historic church that sits at its center. St. Mary’s Church has a rich history that dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest churches in Scotland.
While little is known about the original medieval building, it is known that it was demolished and rebuilt in 1765. However, a one wall.sketch from the time shows that some of the old materials were reused, including a large traceried window that was built into a small annex on one of the walls.
In the early 19th century, it was decided that the church needed to be rebuilt once again. A site was generously donated in 1830 by John Lee Allen of Errol Park and the church was designed by James Gillespie Graham. It was officially opened on March 17, 1833, and built by George Page, who unfortunately went bankrupt as a result of charging such a paltry sum for his services.
The Restoration
Over the years, the church has undergone several renovations and upgrades, including the installation of a clock in 1902 in memory of Reverend Robert Graham, the restoration of the bells, and the addition of an organ and communion table in 1905. In 1915 and 1916, Lady Ogilvie Dalgleish funded the installation of heating and gas lighting, new flooring, a pulpit, and chairs for the priests and elders. They even added electricity in 1934 thanks to Mr William Watson of Scone.
As we walked through the church, its beautiful architecture and the peaceful atmosphere struck us. The silver font, which dates back to 1778 and was removed from the 1765 church, is especially stunning. It’s no wonder that St. Mary’s Church has been a category A listed building since 1971, with its boundary walls and gatepiers also included in the citation.
Dog Banks – The Tay Reed beds (2)
As we strolled along the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire, we were struck by the beauty of the largest continuous reedbed in the UK. Following the Circular path, we had the chance to see all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat.
As we walked, we saw bearded tits flitting through the reeds and ducks and swans enjoying the shallow waters. we even glimpsed marsh harriers hunting for prey and seals lounging on the mudflats. And as we looked up, we saw red squirrels scampering through the trees.
But it’s not just the wildlife that makes this place special. The RSPB has been involved in the conservation of this site since 2005, working with land owners like Errol Park to create a mosaic of habitats for a range of reedbed wildlife, including bearded tits. By cutting the reed in a way that provides different ages to suit the needs of various species throughout the seasons, the RSPB can ensure the health and vitality of this unique ecosystem.
Throughout the year, you can see bearded tits darting through the tall reeds, and their distinctive “ping” calls are often the first sign that there are birds nearby. The elusive water rails also benefit from the reed cutting, as it allows them to move more freely through the reeds.
Port Allen (3)
On the banks of the River Tay, this historic harbour has been in operation for centuries.
According to records, a ferry crossing the Firth from Lindores Pow existed as early as 1600 and again in 1722, and a harbour ferry was in operation even earlier, before 1792. In 1837, Port Allen was one of the principal local harbours, serving the village with a branch road and serving as a hub of industry. The harbour was slightly dilapidated, but the embanking of the foreshore was expected to deepen it and improve the entrance.
As I walked around the harbour, its unique layout struck me. The entrance channel is about 400ft long and runs on a northerly alignment, leading to an inner stretch that is about 300ft long and decreases in width from about 80ft to 60ft. At the end of the inner stretch is a bridge that spans the Pow and holds a counter-weighted sluice-gate.
For about 270ft from the bridge, the northwest side of the harbour has been faced with masonry to form a quay. The facing blocks are roughly dressed, but the inner part shows much better work, with well-squared slabs secured with a thin iron strap. At the apex of the angle between the two parts of the harbour, there is a recess that measures about 95ft by 40ft, but this is now largely filled in. Below the angle, there is a narrow masonry pier that projects at a right angle into the entrance channel and is backed by the foreshore embankment.
As we walked around Port Allen Harbour, we were struck by its rich history and the role it has played in the development of Errol. It’s a fascinating and historic spot that is well worth a visit.
Errol Park (4)
The Park Grounds
Errol Park is a beautiful and historic estate in the village of Errol in the Carse of Gowrie, Scotland. This small, but well-preserved landscape is home to a variety of features that span the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, including an oval bowling green. A stone wall surrounds the estate, and it is not visible to the road, but it offers stunning views of the Firth of Tay from the house terrace.
The landscape at Errol Park is approximately rectangular and has always been compact. Historical maps show that it was once joined to the neighbouring Murie House, and there are a few sweet chestnut trees that may be a remnant of the former link. The Knox map of 1850 shows more drives around Errol House than were clear on earlier maps, and it also reveals the connecting avenue between the two estates.
Errol Park is home to several architectural features, including the East Lodge and Entrance Gateway, the South Lodge, Errol Park House, the Stables, and the West Lodge. The East Lodge and Entrance Gateway are a late 19th-century lodge with a cast-iron gateway that faces the village square. The South Lodge is a 19th-century single-storey sandstone building with a stone parapet
Errol Park House
Errol Park House is a two-storey Renaissance-style house built in the 19th century. The Stables are a circular courtyard with a clock tower that was constructed in 1811 to a design by John Paterson. The West Lodge is a 19th-century single-storey building with a hipped roof.
Errol Park also boasts a variety of designed landscapes, including the Parkland, the Walled Garden, the Kitchen Garden, the Formal Gardens, and the Pleasure Ground. The Parkland is a large, open area with scattered trees and a few rides and drives. The Walled Garden is a formal garden with geometric beds and a central fountain. A garden with glasshouses, a shed, and fruit trees is called the Kitchen Garden. The Formal Gardens are a series of terraced gardens with formal beds, a fountain, and a pergola. The Pleasure Ground is a semi-wilderness area with winding paths, a waterfall, and a rockery.
Errol Park is a beautiful and historic estate with a variety of features that showcase the evolution of landscape design throughout.
Errol Market Cross and Old Drinking Trough (5)
As I returned into Errol, I stumbled upon a beautiful and historic market cross and old drinking trough. It was designed in 1900 by Johnston & Baxter of Dundee and features a red Dumfries sandstone column with a bronze unicorn finial. The base is made of Peterhead granite and includes small drinking troughs for dogs that receive overflow from the trefoil-shaped basins below. The pedestal is circular and features a carved lion’s head fountain and two bronze panels, one with the initials “VR” and the dates “1837-1897” in relief, and the other inscribed with a message thanking Sir William and Lady Ogilvy Dalgleish of Errol Park for their generous gift of a water supply to the village in 1897.
As I learned about the history of this beautiful cross, I was struck by the significance of the water supply project for the village of Errol. It was a problem that had long plagued the community, but it was finally solved in 1897 when a supply was obtained from moorland above Fingask. Sir William Ogilvy Dalgleish paid the entire cost of the project, which was £9,000, and the cross stands as a testament to the importance of clean water and the generosity of the local community. It’s a beautiful and meaningful addition to the village of Errol and one that I will always remember.
Errol Cemetery (6)
As I walked through the gates of Errol Cemetery, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of history and mystery surrounding the graves. Among them lies the last resting place of Patrick Matthew, a man who you may not have heard of, but has made a significant impact in the world of science.
Born in 1790, Patrick Matthew was a Scottish naval officer, landowner, and writer, but he is best known for his contributions to the field of natural history. In 1831, he published a book called “On Naval Timber and Arboriculture,” in which he described a process of natural selection similar to the one proposed by Charles Darwin in “On the Origin of Species,” published almost 30 years later. Despite this groundbreaking work, Matthew received little recognition during his lifetime and died penniless in 1874.
Thanks to the efforts of a local historian, the exact location of Patrick Matthew’s grave was finally discovered in 2017. Located in plot 184, the grave also holds the remains of his wife, an aunt, and two daughters. It is believed that Patrick himself is interred in the middle lair, while a distant family member, Alexander Fraser, is buried in the north lair.
But Patrick Matthew’s connection to the village of Errol doesn’t end there. During the 1890s, his daughter Euphemia lived at Park Cottage on the Errol Park Estate. Euphemia, who was born in 1826, was known to have kept the family records and was even consulted as a source of Matthew family history by a researcher in 1912.
As I left the cemetery, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in the rich history of this small village and the impact it has had on the world. Who knows what other stories are buried beneath the headstones in Errol Cemetery?
Wildlife on the Errol Walk
Nestled along the north bank of the River Tay in Perthshire, the Tay Reed Beds offer a diverse and rich habitat for a variety of wildlife. As you explore the circular path, you might catch glimpses of bearded tits flitting through the reeds, ducks and swans enjoying the shallow waters, and marsh harriers hunting for prey. Keep an eye out for seals basking on the mudflats, red squirrels scampering through the trees, and an array of colourful flowers and trees. The RSPB manages 282 hectares of the reed beds, including the iconic bearded tits, and works with landowners to create a mosaic of habitats for the diverse range of species that call the reed beds home. From the tall reeds to the flourishing fauna, the Tay Reed Beds are a true haven for nature lovers.
