Glen Shee (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Sith) is a glen in eastern Perth and Kinross, Scotland through which flows the Shee Water. The Spittal of Glenshee where Glen Beag and Glen Lochy meet marks the head of the glen in the north and it then runs south-east to Bridge of Cally where it merges with Strathardle to form Glen Ericht. Known as the glen of the fairies it takes its name from the Gaelic "sith" meaning fairy and the old meeting place at the standing stone behind the present day church is called Dun Shith or Hill of the Fairies.
The main settlement is the Spittal of Glenshee, now by-passed, which has a historic hotel, first run by monks from Coupar Angus Abbey to provide shelter and hospitality for travellers hence the name "Spittal", an outdoor activity centre, self catering lodges, the church and an original Wade hump-back bridge. The first record of a refuge for travellers here dates back to 961AD. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1959 being rebuild to a Scandinavian design. It now caters for coach parties and individual guests.
Other old settlements are at Finegand, Dalnaglar, Lair where there is a pottery shop and tourist information point, Cray, Mountblair, Blacklunans, Glenkilrie, Dalrulzion, Blackwater and Persie.
At the Spittal the Allt Lochay and Allt Beag join to form the Shee Water which changes its name at Blacklunans to the Blackwater and eventually joins the River Ardle to form the River Ericht.
The A93 road, part of General Wade's military road from Perth to Fort George, runs north through the glen and on into Glen Beag where it crosses the Cairnwell Pass, at 2200 feet above sea level the highest public road in the UK. The road climbing to the summit is now wide and straight but until the late 1960s included two notorious hair pin bends with a 1 in 3 (33%) gradient known as the Devil's Elbow. One of the most spectacular roads in Scotland this was a favourite subject for postcards. It was so steep that at the bottom buses unloaded passengers who had to walk to the top and until it was rebuilt the AA maintained a well in a layby for overheating engines. Locally the pass is still known simply as "the Elbow". At Dalrulzion the B950 leads off to Strathardle and Kirkmichael village(4 miles) and at the Lair the B951 leads over into Glenisla. The long established caravan site at Dalrulzion is a favourite with weekenders from Dundee and Fife. Between Finegand and the Lair is the historic Cockstane (Clach Na Coileach), the ancient meeting place of the Clan MacThomas. There is a car park and information board with all the history. Current members of the Clan MacThomas from across the world gather here regularly.
The Glenshee Ski Centre sits at the head of the Cairnwell Pass and is Scotland's biggest with 21 lifts spread over 4 mountains and 3 valleys and associated hire shops, cafes etc. Ski-ing started informally here in the 1930s with the first tow being set up by the Dundee Ski Club in 1947. In the 1960s with the road improvements easing access the Glenshee Chairlift Company was set up, facilities were built and business boomed throughout the 1970s and 80s. A succession of mild winters and poor ski-ing conditions led to the Ski Company going into receivership but a management buy-out ensured ski-ing survived and once again business is good. Glenshee is known for high snowfalls and the A93 features regularly on the list of roads closed in bad weather.
The old Church of Scotland kirk at the Spittal has regular services and its scenic setting makes it a popular wedding venue. There are disused churches at Strone of Cally, Persie and Cray. The former Glenshee Lodge mansion became home to the Compass Christian Centre in the 1980s and provides a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities as well as courses and classes.
Dalnaglar Castle dates back to the 16th century and the current castle was built by the architect responsible for Balmoral in the 19th century. It now provides tourist accommodation specialising in field sports and weddings.
The old Glenshee Hall opposite Glenshee Lodge has been demolished but Blackwater Hall has been completely refurbished and modernised and is home to many local groups and functions.
Branching off at the Spittal is the private road up Glen Lochsie leading to Dalmunzie Hotel whose scenic 9 hole golf course opened in 1922 having been laid out by leading course designers Dr McKenzie and James Braid.
Hotels serving the glen sit at either end (Bridge of Cally Hotel to the south and the Spittal Hotel and Dalmunzie House Hotel to the north) and in Kirkmichael but there were at one time hotels at Blackwater (the Blackwater Inn which before that was a garage/shop/petrol station), Dalrulzion (the Dalrulzion Hotel, once a popular ceilidh venue), and at Blacklunans (the Drumore Hotel).
Shops serving the glen are at Kirkmichael and Bridge of Cally. At one time there was a shop/post office at Blacklunans.
Primary school children now attend Kirkmichael Primary and secondary pupils Blairgowrie High but there were originally primary schools at Strone of Cally, Blackwater and Glenshee. The former Blackwater School is now an outdoor centre for Dundee city schools.
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