Top 10 Things to Do in Perthshire

October 22, 2018 in Destinations and Scotland

Few places can match the stunning beauty of Perthshire, with its rolling hills, abundant wildlife and endless landscape to discover. Apart from admiring the stunning scenery there are many more things to do in Perthshire, as it is an area filled with culture, history, and fun! We’ve managed to whittle it down to our top 10 “must do” activities in Perthshire, including two of the best campsites in the area to parking up your motorhome. So what are you waiting for get reading, get booking and let the holiday begin!

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#1 Walks in Perthshire

Exploring by foot is one of the best ways to experience the immense beauty of Perthshire. One of our favourite walks begins in the centre of Pitlochry. Simply walk east from the centre and pass the Blair Athol Distillery and carry on to Black Spout Wood. This lovely wood, full of birds and red squirrels will transport you straight into a fairytale. You’ll pass a gorgeous thundering waterfall, complete with viewing platform to gaze out from. It is best to do this route after heavy rain, as it makes the waterfall even more impressive. From the waterfall, follow the Edradour Burn stream until you reach the Edradour whisky distillery, and then back into Pitlochry. In total, the walk is about 5 km and takes about two hours to complete the circular route. That is if you don’t stop for some whisky! Not a walk for you? Check out more of the walks, beginning and ending in various places across Perthshire.

#2 River Tay Public Art Trail

The River Tay has been a very important part of Perth since the founding of the city, connecting the city to the local region for communication and trade. The construction of the River Tay Public Art Trail has made the river even more prominent with a walking trail along 22 different sculptures. The trail leads you from the North Inch to the South Inch and then down to the High Street. It aims to reflect the history and heritage of the city and the river and allows you to combine a lovely and tranquil walk with a good dose of culture!

#3 Skiing

When you think of Scotland, skiing is probably not your first thought, but did you know that Scotland is actually home to five ski resorts offering the best outdoor skiing and snowboarding in the UK? One of the closest slopes to Perth is the Glenshee Ski Centre, located in Braemar. Glenshee has an impressive 22 lifts and 36 varied runs, offering a diversity of natural terrain to suit all levels of snowboarders and skiers from beginners to experts. The resort is serviced by the largest lift system in the UK, with the runs extending over 3 valleys and 4 mountains. Visitors can access classes with both private and group on offer, as well as race training and package deals. Just like any other ski resort you will find a variety of amenities at Glenshee, including some great restaurants, so you’ll be able to fuel up for your session of winter sports.

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#4 Visit a distillery

Of all the things to do in Perthshire, one of the most important just has to be sampling the local spirits. Scotland is renowned for delicious spirits, thus we feel a tour of a traditional Scottish distillery is an essential activity during your visit to Perthshire. Edradour is one of the smallest and most picturesque distilleries in Scotland and also one of the most visited. Through a guided tour, you’ll get the chance to learn more about the history of Edradour as well as the whisky making process. You’ll even be welcomed with two drams of the liquid gold with your tour! There is also the opportunity to purchase over 25 expressions of Edradour Single malt whiskey, as well as other single malts from distinctive distilleries in the shop. For more information make sure to check out the Edradour Distillery website.

As well as Edradour, there are numerous other distilleries in the area to explore, such as Tullibardine. This independent, family owned distillery nestled into the beautiful Scottish countryside, offers numerous tours, from the classic tour to a whisky and chocolate tour to a bonded tour. To find your perfect tour, take a quick read of the Tullibardine Distillery website.

#5 Camping and Caravanning

Perthshire is absolutely stunning and the best way to experience this beauty is by camping right in the middle of it! However, not all people or places are wild camping fans, so we’ve done some research and found our favourite campsites in the region instead! At Blairgowie Holiday Park you’ll be camping in wonderfully landscaped gardens at the northern edge of the town. The park is peaceful with plenty of spots to relax in the sun and it is sheltered from the wind by hills and woodlands. The town centre of Blairgowie is only a short walk from the park, where you’ll be spoiled for choice with a variety of bars, shops and restaurants on offer. It is the perfect location from which to explore the surrounding area, with numerous trails to discover the landscape. Furthermore, look no further if friendly staff are high on your campsite must haves, as they are always ready to advise you on the best routes to take and ways to make the most of your stay!

If Blairgowie is not your ideal destination in Perthshire, then check out Corriefodly Holiday Park, another member of the Wood Leisure family. Corriefodly is a big attraction for fans of the great outdoors due to its picturesque location on the River Ardle and all the activities it offers. Whether it is a leisurely stroll or intense cycle or spot of fishing that you’re after, the surrounding area will certainly be able to offer it. There are also plenty of amenities to keep the children happy, including an indoor soft play area! But Corriefodly Holiday Park isn’t only welcoming to kids, but to your furry friends as well. Why not take your dog along on your trip, and let them enjoy a Scottish holiday at Corriefodly Holiday Park too? If these parks interested you then make sure to check out a comprehensive list of Wood Leisure Holiday Parks for your holidays across Scotland.

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#6 Have a gander around a museum

You have so many options! Museums always make a great addition to a trip, whether it is to soak up some culture, get out of the rain or learn something you didn’t know and all for free. You could head over to one of the world’s oldest museums, the Perth Museum and Art Gallery, which was founded in 1784. It has a collection of over 500,000 objects, recognized as having National Significance to Scotland due to its breadth and richness. If you are looking for something on a smaller scale, head for the Fergusson Gallery, which was built in a former water tower. It depicts the story of one of the great Scottish pioneers of modern art, J.D. Fergusson, and his wife, who had a significant influence on modern dance, Margaret Morris. The gallery celebrates their lives and talent through artwork, sketchbooks, costume, correspondence and photographs. There are numerous other museums that are well worth visiting in the region, so make sure to check out a more detailed list of Perthshire museums.

#7 Highland Safaris

Safari may not be the first word that comes to mind when planning your trip to Perthshire, but you’ll be surprised to learn that going on a safari is an option! A highland safari takes you through the most beautiful landscapes Scotland has to offer, with the chance to spot rare wildlife. The safari is interactive and you will learn about the animals you encounter, as well as giving the young ones a chance to try out a tractor. There are a variety of types safarion offer, from an off-road vehicle to biking or even a helicopter, and varying destinations including mountains and lochs. To find out more, you can check out the Highland Safaris website.

#8 Explore Perthshire’s history

There is a huge variety of historic attractions in Perthshire, including many castles and monuments. A must see is the Scottish Crannog Centre, where you have the opportunity to see a replica of an Iron Age loch dwelling. The building was constructed by the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology in the stunning setting of Highland Perthshire on Loch Tay. It is an authentic copy of the sort of defensive homesteads built almost 2,500 years ago. During the tour you’ll not only learn more about this this period of the Iron Age, but get the opportunity to get some hands on experience of ancient crafts. Another breathtaking monument is Dunkeld Cathedral, which was first erected on the north bank of the River Tay in the sixth or early seventh century. The building was the initial base for Celtic monks in Alba, and shows evidence of both Gothic and Norman influence in its architecture. There are of course numerous historical sites to see in Perthshire, and you can check out a list of them here.

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#9 Golf at Gleneagles

Named the No. 1 Golf Resort in Britain and Ireland by Golf World magazine, Gleneagles with its three championship golf courses is considered to be among the best golf courses in the world. Gleneagles boasts 54 holes of championship golf, and there are options for all levels of ability and the golf course welcomes visitors 365 days of the year! These is a licensed bar and restaurant where you can celebrate your hole in one and the option of taking lessons from golf experts. Why not spend an afternoon of your trip to visit the green, clear your mind, and do some active relaxation during your Perthshire holiday.

#10 Catch a Show

Scotland has a vibrant theatre scene which is engaging and filled a variety of both new and old shows. One of Scotland’s most famous theatres is located right here in Perthshire, and offers a different show every night of the week - with two on matinée days! Pitlochry Festival Theatre, otherwise known as the ‘Theatre in the Hills’, has an international reputation for the high quality and scale of its productions. The theatre draws in over 120,000 annual visitors and you could be one of them! For tickets and show information, make sure to check out the Pitlochry Festival Theatre website.

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From walks in Perthshire to a theatre show, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’ll be travelling alone, with a partner, friends or the entire family, Perthshire is the destination for you. Got more Perthshire tips? We would love to hear it! Until then, find a motorhome to take you to this glorious place through a simple search on our site.