Glamis Castle, photograph courtesy Sue Anderson, Island Focus

Tour Perthshire, Scotland

Perthshire is a superb location for a vacation in Scotland. The county is centrally situated and can be used as a base for accessing most of the key Scotland visitor sites without the need for regular change of lodgings. For example, it is possible to visit such popular places as Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Edinburgh and Glasgow within a day from a central location such as Dunkeld or Pitlochry.

Putting aside easy access to longer distance touring, Perthshire and environs offers the visitor a superb diversity of attractions to suit a very wide range of interests, viz:

Whisky Distilleries

Historically, Perthshire has been strong on whisky production and there remain today a number of producing distilleries which offer tours to the visitor and the opportunity to learn about the whisky distilling process-and perhaps sample a wee dram! Here is a summary list:

  • Blair Atholl, Pitlochry
  • Edradour, Pitlochry
  • Dalwhinnie
  • Tullibardine
  • Dewars, Aberfeldy.

 

Watersports

The River Tay at Grandtully is one of Scotland’s premier locations for a wide range of water sports. A number of local water activity companies operate nearby.


Scenery

Soak in the magnificent scenery of ‘Big Tree’ country and take plenty of photographs. Locations such as Glen Quaich, Falls of Acharn, Falls of Dochart, Meikleour Hedge, Queens View and Killicrankie are just some of the sites deserving of a visit for enjoyment and pictures.


Bird Watching

Close to Dunkeld is Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre & Wildlife reserve which is famous for its Ospreys.


Castles

Scotland is extremely well endowed with castles and Perthshire boasts a varied selection, viz:

  • Stirling Castle- a former Royal palace which offers stunning views.
  • Castle Campbell-small but perfectly formed which sits high up the Ochills.
  • Castle Menzies-home of Clan Menzies and located close to Aberfeldy.
  • Blair Castle-home to the Duke of Atholl and the only legal private army in Britain.
  • Glamis- ghosts, Macbeth and connections with the Royal Family.
  • Doune Castle-A former Royal hunting lodge and famous for featuring in the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

 

Gardens

Scotland has gardens of every kind, size, taste and fashion with Perthshire featuring strongly. Here is a brief selection of gardens worthy of a visit:

  • Branklyn-a 20th century garden of about two acres, located close to the city of Perth.
  • Bolfracks- near Aberfeldy-three acres overlooking the Tay Valley.
  • Cluny House-a wild, woodland garden overlooking the Strathtay Valley.
  • Drummond Castle- a very fine formal garden dating back to 1630.
  • Scone Palace-Extensive and well laid out gardens situated close to Perth.

Prehistory

Perthshire has been occupied by man for at least 5000 years. Connect with some of the ancient history by visiting such sites as:

  • Croft Moraig Stone Circle
  • Rock Art-high on the hills overlooking Loch Tay.
  • The Crannog Centre, Kenmore. High status living in the iron –age.
  • Meigle Pictish Stones- a collection of 26 carved stones from the 8th/9th centuries.

 

Battlefields

Perthshire has not escaped some of the more violent episodes in Scotland’s past. Here are some of the key battle sites worthy of a visit:

  • Sheriffmuir (1715)- occurred during the Jacobite rebellion.
  • Killiecrankie (1689) - another conflict involving the Jacobites.
  • Bannockburn (1314)-arguably the most defining battle in Scotland’s history.
  • Stirling Bridge (1297)-another Scots victory over the English in which William Wallace aka ‘Braveheart’ featured.

 

William Wallace (aka ‘Braveheart’)

Visit the Wallace Monument close to the city of Stirling for a commemoration of Wallace’s life and times. Just close to this location is the site of Wallace’s famous victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297. For the fit and energetic, a climb to the top of the monument affords spectacular views of Stirling, the Ochills and beyond.


Innerpeffray Library

For the academically inclined a visit to this unusual and isolated library may prove rewarding. Scotland’s first free public lending library with a collection of 3,800 books dating from 1502-1920.


Roman Frontiers

The Romans were active here in the first and second centuries AD. Places worthy of a visit include:

  • Ardoch Roman Fort-a hidden gem near the village of Braco.
  • The Findo Gask Ridge- a fortified communication line
  • Remains of the Antonine Wall (south of Perthshire).


Fishing

For the keen angler the River Tay offers a wide choice of opportunities.


Walking & Cycling

With fuel prices rising ever higher avail why not hire a bike and/or explore Perthshire through the many and varied walking routes available around the county?

 

Golf

There are over forty golf courses to choose from in Perthshire. And remember, the famous Old Course at St. Andrews is well within a day’s drive!

 

How can Catswhiskerstours help?

Firstly, the owners know this county extremely well and can offer informed help and assistance through:

 

For more information and help contact Nigel-

T  44 (0) 141 638 5500

E ncole67@googlemail.com
Or info@catswhiskerstours.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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