The Bicycle Tree

Today's the day .................. to find the 'ironiverous' tree

We heard about this amazing tree several years ago but have never seen it until today. It is to be found in the village of Brig o'Turk about six miles from Callander and is a century-old sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) which has almost swallowed up what was once an anchor, and a bicycle.

It occupies a spot close to the old smiddy, and local folklore has it that the village blacksmith was in the habit of propping up or hanging various articles, which were then forgotten about and gradually absorbed by the 'ironivorous' tree. Today, all that remains of the bike are the handlebars and part of the frame - an unusual testimony to nature's efforts overcoming Man's.

Its metal diet seems to have done the tree no harm, and it has certainly outlived the blacksmith, who is buried close by in the little graveyard up the lane...............