THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The village of Dull, Perthshire is thankfully not aptly named. In fact, the community has very much earned its place in the League of Extraordinary Communities, founded by Dull and Boring in 2013 when they were joined by Bland, New South Wales, to form an ironic “Trinity of Tedium”.
In the area surrounding Dull you will find some of Perthshire’s best walks and beauty spots. Travel a few miles, and a beautiful long walk will find you atop one of Scotland’s most recognisable peaks, Schiehallion, or head to nearby Fortingall to see the Fortingall Yew, the oldest tree in Europe at between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.
The surrounding area is a treasure trove for history lovers. The 16th-century Castle Menzies has seen bloodshed, drama and royalty, hosting Bonnie Prince Charlie on his way to Culloden. A few minutes down the road is Loch Tay, host to the Scottish Crannog Centre. Crannogs were Iron Age dwellings, built on stilts in lochs.
Ellen Pryde works at the centre and enjoys showing off their site to curious visitors. “The museum has a unique insight into life in Iron Age Scotland,” she said. “Visitors walk in the footsteps of the original crannog dwellers and immerse themselves in village life with original artefacts; interactive demonstrations of textiles, cooking and ancient crafts and technologies and guided tours of the reconstructed roundhouse. “Regular special events are held at the centre, all based on archaeological finds. Many feature storytelling and music, which would have formed an integral part of Iron Age life.”
Another gem is the Scottish Red Deer Centre and Highland Safaris. A visit is a must for families as it offers an unrivalled chance to get up close and learn about the amazing fauna of Scotland. Just a five-minute walk from Dull, you can pet and feed the deer, enjoy a hands-on meeting with the resident barn owl or, if you’re feeling adventurous, go on a Land Rover safari.
Donald Riddell, director of Highland Safaris, said: “Highland Safaris offers a journey of discovery and a nature experience within Highland Perthshire. We even have gold and gem panning.” So the Scottish Red Deer Centre truly is a gem, and if your panning skills are up to scratch, you might even come away with one.
Set along a country road and with a population of around 85, Dull might not be Perthshire’s biggest tourist destination but it is certainly well worth a visit, to set up base for your adventures, or even just to get a selfie with the famous road sign.