Glen Shee facts for kids
Glen Shee (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Sith) is a beautiful glen (which means a valley) in eastern Perthshire, Scotland. A river called Shee Water flows through this valley. The name "Glen Shee" comes from the Gaelic word "sith," which means "fairy." So, it's known as the "glen of the fairies"! There's even an old meeting place called Dun Shith, or "Hill of the Fairies," behind the church.
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Exploring Glen Shee
Glen Shee starts where two other glens, Gleann Taitneach and Glen Lochsie, meet. This is about 2 kilometers north-west of a place called the Spittal of Glenshee. The glen then stretches south-east to Bridge of Cally, where it joins with another valley, Strathardle, to form Glen Ericht.
Spittal of Glenshee: A Historic Stop
The main village in Glen Shee is the Spittal of Glenshee. It used to be a very important stop for travelers. Long ago, monks from Coupar Angus Abbey ran a hotel there to give shelter and food to people passing through. That's why it's called "Spittal," which comes from an old word for a hospital or guesthouse. Records show a refuge for travelers here as early as 961 AD!
The Spittal of Glenshee Hotel has been destroyed by fire many times over the years. It was rebuilt in 1959 in a Scandinavian style, but sadly, it was completely destroyed again in 2014. Today, it's a burned-out building.
Other small settlements in the glen include Finegand, Dalnaglar, and Lair. At Lair, you can find a craft shop, a cafe, and a tourist information spot called The Wee House.
The Famous A93 Road and the Devil's Elbow
The A93 road runs through Glen Shee. This road was built by General Wade a long time ago as a military road. It goes north through the glen and then into Glen Beag, where it crosses the Cairnwell Pass. This pass is very high, about 2,200 feet (670 meters) above sea level, making it the highest public road in the UK!
The road climbing to the top of the pass is wide and straight now. But until the late 1960s, it had two very sharp, difficult turns with a super steep slope. These turns were known as the Devil's Elbow. It was one of the most amazing roads in Scotland and often appeared on postcards. It was so steep that buses sometimes had to let passengers off at the bottom so they could walk to the top! The Devil's Elbow was so famous that the AA (a car service company) even kept a well nearby for car engines that got too hot. Locals still call the pass "the Elbow."
Glenshee Ski Centre: Winter Fun
At the top of the Cairnwell Pass, you'll find the Glenshee Ski Centre. This is Scotland's biggest ski area! It has 21 lifts spread across four mountains and three glens. You can also find shops to rent ski gear and cafes there.
People started skiing informally in Glenshee in the 1930s. The first ski tow was set up by the Dundee Ski Club in 1947. In the 1960s, with better roads making it easier to get there, the Glenshee Chairlift Company was started. Modern facilities were built, and skiing became very popular in the 1970s and 80s. After some mild winters, the ski company faced problems, but a new team took over, and skiing is still going strong!
Glenshee is known for getting a lot of snow. Because of this, the A93 road often gets closed during bad weather.
Life and History in the Glen
The old Church of Scotland church at the Spittal holds regular services. Its beautiful location makes it a popular place for weddings. There are also some old, unused churches in other parts of the glen.
Dalnaglar Castle is a historic building that dates back to the 1500s. The castle you see today was built in the 1800s by the same architect who designed Balmoral Castle. Now, it offers places for tourists to stay, especially for those interested in outdoor sports or weddings.
The Compass Christian Centre, located in the former Glenshee Lodge mansion, offers many outdoor and indoor activities, as well as courses.
The Blackwater Hall has been updated and is now a place for many local groups and events.
If you take a private road from the Spittal up Glen Lochsie, you'll find the Dalmunzie Hotel. It has a scenic 9-hole golf course that opened in 1922.
Local services like shops and post offices can be found in Kirkmichael and Bridge of Cally. Children from the glen go to Kirkmichael Primary School, and older students attend Blairgowrie High School.
