As a child Beatrix’s life in London was lonely and isolated. However during her childhood her parents began taking holidays in Perthshire, Scotland and it was during these wonderful summer holidays that Beatrix and her brother, Bertram, developed a love of Nature. Here they were free to explore the countryside around them, indulging their interest in the natural world.
For nearly 6 months every year over eleven wonderful summers Mr and Mrs Potter came with their family to Perthshire. Initially they took a house in Dalguise, which was just under 5 miles from Dunkeld and Birnam. In 1892 they rented a house in Birnam and the following year moved to wonderful Eastwood House, set in 9 acres of land on the banks of the River Tay in Dunkeld, where Beatrix and her brother indulged their passion for the outdoor life.
It was from Eastwood, Dunkeld, in 1893, when Beatrix was 23, that she wrote the now famous picture letter to Noel Moore which was later to become The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The following day she wrote a letter to Noel’s brother, Eric, about a frog called Jeremy Fisher. There is no doubt that the people she met whilst on holiday in this beautiful area inspired the loveable characters of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mr. Jeremy Fisher.
One hundred and fifty years on the beautiful Perthshire Countryside that Beatrix frequented has become a very popular tourist destination that is well worth a visit. Above and beyond that some have even made it their home, including Architect Alex Kettles, who fell in love with Eastwood House and the surrounding area. It was her discovery of past family connections that spurred her on to acquire and transform Eastwood House into the comfortable family home that it is today.
There is something for everyone in Dunkeld