Explore Central Scotland
Genteel, attractive Perthshire is, in many ways, the epitome of well-groomed rural Scotland. An area of gentle glens, mature woodland, rushing rivers and peaceful lochs, it’s the long-established domain of Scotland’s well-to-do country set. First settled more than eight thousand years ago, it was ruled by the Romans and then the Picts before Celtic missionaries established themselves.
The ancient town of Perth occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the River Tay; salmon, wool and, by the sixteenth century, whisky, were exported, while a major import was Bordeaux claret. At nearby Scone, Kenneth MacAlpine established the capital of the kingdom of the Scots and the Picts in 846. When this settlement was washed away by floods in 1210, William the Lion founded Perth as a royal burgh.
North and west of Perth, Highland Perthshire is made up of gorgeous and mighty woodlands, particularly along the banks of the River Tay. The area is dotted with neat, confident towns and villages like Dunkeld and Birnam, with its mature trees and lovely ruined cathedral, and Aberfeldy set deep amongst farmland east of Loch Tay. Further north, the countryside becomes more sparsely populated and spectacular, with some wonderful walking country, especially around Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and the wild expanses of Rannoch Moor to the west.
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Perth and around
Perth and around
Surrounded by fertile agricultural land and beautiful scenery, the bustling market town of PERTH was Scotland’s capital in the fifteenth century, and expanded in the eighteenth. Today, with the whisky and insurance trades employing significant numbers, it remains an important town.
Two large areas of green parkland, known as the North and South Inch, flank the centre; the city’s main shopping areas are High Street and South Street, as well as St John’s shopping centre on King Edward Street. Perth is at its most attractive along Tay Street, with a succession of grander buildings along one side and the attractively landscaped riverside embankment on the other.
Fergusson Gallery
Perth’s highlight is the Fergusson Gallery, occupying a striking round Victorian sandstone water tower, and home to an extensive collection of work by J.D. Fergusson, foremost artist of the Scottish Colourist movement. Greatly influenced by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, he created a distinctive approach that marries both movements’ freedom of style with bold use of colour and lighting – shown, for example, in his portrait of Elizabeth Dryden, The Hat with the Pink Scarf. As well as oils, the collection includes sketches, notebooks and sculpture: among the latter, look out for Eastre: Hymn to the Sun, an exotic and radiant brass head inspired by his dancer wife and collaborator Margaret Morris.
- Highland Perthshire
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Outdoor activities in Perthshire
Outdoor activities in Perthshire
In Perthshire, outdoor activities range from gentle strolls through ancient oak forests to white-knuckle rides down frothing waterfalls. The variety of landscapes and relative accessibility from the central belt has led to a significant number of outdoor operators being based in the area: the tourist board’s Activity Line can give advice and contacts for more than thirty companies who comply with the Adventure Perthshire Operators’ Charter.
Highland Adventure Safaris
An inspiring introduction to wild Scotland in which you’re taken by 4WD to search for golden eagle eyries, stags and pine martens.
Nae Limits
Canyoning, cliff-jumping, bungee jumping and sphere-ing (which involves tumbling down a hillside inside a giant plastic ball) for adrenalin junkies.
National Kayak School
Everything from whitewater kayaking courses to sea-kayaking holidays.
Splash
Rafting on larger craft through the best rapids on the Tay at Grandtully.
