Perthshire

Scotland > East of Scotland > Perthshire

Almost in the centre of Scotland, Perthshire has also been at the centre of its history.

The Fair City of Perth combines its roles of county and market town, main commercial centre and major visitor attraction quite naturally. Its ancient buildings stand proud and its parks and open spaces win accolades and awards regularly.

Once the Capital of Scotland, Perth became a major trading port and with the Palace of Scone nearby where all 42 Kings of Scotland were crowned, it was never far away from being the cultural and historic centre of Scotland.

Perth stands on one of the finest salmon fishing rivers in the country, the River Tay, which at almost 60 miles in length is the longest river in Scotland.

Just to the south lies Loch Leven, the largest lowland loch in Scotland - renowned for its trout and for the escape of Mary Queen of Scots from Loch Leven Castle, where she was imprisoned, in 1567. Loch Leven is now a bird sanctuary of international importance.

The buildings of Kinross are what one would expect of a former county town. The agricultural countryside includes villages with fascinating names such as Crook of Devon and Rumbling Bridge, derived from the sound of the waters rushing through the gorge. The history of the area is well illustrated by the small but well preserved 16th century Burleigh Castle just outside Milnathort.

Some of the best scenery in Perthshire is to be seen from its western approaches through Auchterarder and the internationally renowned Gleneagles Hotel with its four golf courses and leisure complex. The local heritage centre tells the story of this Royal Burgh and its destruction during the 1715 Jacobite Rising.

Nearby Blackford used to have 3 breweries but now sells its water neat and both Braco and Dunning have their own distinct past dating back to Roman times.

Strathearn leads west to Crieff, Comrie, St Fillans and Lochearn along the length of the river and then Loch Earn renowned for its water sport actvities. The waters of Crieff, however, became known for their healing powers with Crieff Hydro a major attraction together with Scotland's oldest distillery, Glenturret .

Comrie has the dubious pleasure of being the "earthquake" capital of Scotland being built right on the Highland Boundary Fault. Records of its "shakes" are kept within the tiny Earthquake House. At the eastern end of Loch Earn lies the small picturesque village of St Fillans, a favourite destination for watersports enthusiasts and hill walkers.

A drive through the wild "Sma'Glen" and Strathbraan leads to Dunkeld a town with serious Shakespearian attributes - "MacBeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him" So said the third apparition to MacBeth in Shakespeare's 'Scottish Play'.

An interesting 3½ mile walk starting in Birnam village takes in the Birnam Oak, the last remnant of Birnam forest with dramatic views over the local area from Birnam Hill. Birnam lies across the River Tay not far from Dunkeld with its 14th century Cathedral.

Nearby lie the woodland walks, follies, waterfalls and rapids of "The Hermitage" owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Here you will also find the highest tree in Britain , a majestic Douglas fir that reaches up 212 feet.

Once a textile town, making use of the power of the river, Blairgowrie's mild climate makes it one of world's leading raspberry growing areas. This area, which includes the towns of Coupar Angus, Rattray, Alyth, Meigle and Meikleour is rich in both agricultural and naturalist terms.

Robert Burns liked "Aberfeldie" as did General Wade who saw it as an ideal crossing point on the River Tay for troops en route to the troubled Highlands. The distant past is very relevant around here with the famous Yew Tree at Fortingall some 3,000 years old - reputedly the birthplace of Pontius Pilate - and the ancient Crannogs in Loch Tay.

Pitlochry is well served by both road and rail, being on the main route north to Inverness and is now one of the major holiday centres in Scotland. The Pitlochry Festival Theatre has a comprehensive diary of events throughout the year.