About Perthshire Scotland
About Perthshire
One visitor to Scotland said, “Perthshire has it all”. And indeed the big county offers a range of magnificent scenery and diversity of activity and country and cultural pursuit that is hard to beat in all Scotland.
Perthshire is famed for many reasons and the variety of scenery, golf courses, gardens, historic sites, theatres and concerts, art galleries, local crafts, magnificent food, places to eat is sure to please. For short breaks or longer stays, Perthshire is easily accessible from other parts of Scotland and the UK. Most Abade holiday homes are around an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and the county is well served with rail and bus transport. See details of places to visit with helpful hints about tickets you can buy before you come that save you money, walking and cycling , birdwatching , fishing , golf and travel and weather information.
Perth is a popular county town set on the banks of the River Tay and known affectionately for being the “town between two inches”, being its two lovely riverside parks, the North Inch and the South Inch. It is also a frequent winner in the Britain in Bloom competition. Also known as “The Fair City” because of the story of that name by the famed Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott, published in 1828. The name Perth derives from the Pictish-Gaelic word of wood or copse, and Neolithic standing stones dating from about 4000BC may be seen in the area. Scone Palace, home of the Stone of Destiny and crowning place of Scottish Kings, lies on the edge of the town. Royal Burgh status was given to the town by King William the Lion in the early 12th century. In St John’s Kirk, during the Scottish Reformation, John Knox gave a famous sermon in 1559. The 18th century brought industry to the town such as linen, leather, bleach and whisky. Perth’s railway station was built in 1848.
Perth is a very pleasant shopping town with a selection of independent shops, good restaurants and cafes and lovely walks by the river. The Museum and Art Gallery, one of the oldest provincial museums in Scotland, has a collection of Monart and Vasart glass associated with Perth, silver and other excellent displays. The J D Fergusson Gallery is housed in a former waterworks. One of the earliest gravestones in Scotland can be found in Greyfriars Churchyard. The Horsecross Concert Hall provides a complete range of concerts from classical to popular. Perth Festival of the Arts at the end of May offers a very high quality experience well worth booking ahead. Perth boasts its own theatre, with a traditional family Pantomime and plays throughout the year. Perth Farmer’s Markets is on the first Saturday of each month. Added to these, The Black Watch Museum, St Ninian’s Cathedral, Kinnoull Hill walks, NTS Branklyn Garden, Dewar’s Ice Rink, Leisure Pool, McDiarmid Park, home to St Johnstone’s football club and Bell’s Sports Centre all ensure that Perth merits much more than a passing visit, and you will want to return again and again.
The countryside in Perthshire is diverse, from rich lowland agricultural land to highland mountains, from magnificent woodlands to picturesque lochs. The country towns of Auchterarder, Aberfeldy, Crieff, Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blairgowrie each have something to offer the visitor. The world-famous Gleneagles Hotel is close to Auchterarder, well known for its boutique shops. Near Crieff is the oldest lending library in Scotland at Innerpeffray. Take the route through the stunning Sma’ Glen to Aberfeldy, to visit The Crannog,a reconstructed Stone Age settlement. Dunkeld Cathedral occupies a beautiful setting on the banks of the Tay. Pitlochry has it’s “Theatre in the Hills” and Blairgowrie, on the River Ericht leads to Glen Shee and Braemar. Whether it be walking or other outdoor pursuits, sightseeing, enjoying some Scottish folk music, a classical concert or a play, taking in a game of golf or sampling local food in farm shops, cafes and restaurants, there’s so much to Perthshire and something for everyone.
The county of Perthshire
Mountains in Perthshire: Ben Lawers, Sheilhallion, Ben Vorlich, Ben Mhor, Beinn Dearg, Beinn a’Gloe, Ben Vrackie
Glens in Perthshire: Glen Almond, Glen Isla, Glen Shee, Glen Gary, Glen Tilt, Glen Bruar, Glen Errochty, Glen Rannoch, Glen Lyon, Glen Lochy, Glen Dochart, Strathmore, and the Staths of Ardle, Braan, Tay, Tummel,m Fillan and Earn
Rivers in Perthshire: River Earn, River Ericht, River Farg, River Isla, River Tay, River Tummel
Castles in Perthshire: Blair Castle, Elcho Castle, Doune Castle, Drummond Castle, Huntingtower Castle, Castle Menzies, Scone Palace.
Gardens to Visit: NTS Branklyn Garden, Drummond Castle Gardens, The Explorers’ Garden, Cluny Gardens, Bolfracks Garden, Scone Palace arboretum. Buy a ticket for the Perthshire Gardens Collection.
Distilleries to Visit: Blair Atholl Distillery, Glenturret (Scotland’s oldest distillery) The Famous Grouse Experience, Tullibardine Distillery, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Edradour (Scotland’s smallest distillery), Dewar’s World of Whisky.
