THINGS TO DO
Local towns and cities
Auchterarder
Auchterarder has one of the longest high streets in Scotland. It boasts several independent shops, fantastic Alexa’s veg shop and two good butchers, Simon Howie and Allan’s, as well as some gift and coffee shops. If you are here biking, Synergy Cycles is handy and serves great coffee.
There is a Co-op supermarket on the High Street. There is also Gleneagles which has a wonderful spa and golf course which non-members/guests can book (we advise you do this in advance as it can be busy).
Perth - 13 miles
Perth has a fantastic selection of independent businesses, restaurants and cafes. There is plenty to do, from visiting Scone Palace, to The Black Watch Castle and Museum. Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre have regular events and Perth Playhouse is the local cinema.
You will also find Perth Leisure Pool here, great on a rainy day for family fun with its flumes, wild water and outdoor lagoon.
For a proper restaurant night out, try North Port as recommended by the Michelin guide. There is a Tesco, M&S, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl.
Crieff - 10 miles
Crieff was a Victorian spa town in its hayday. It has the fabulous Macrosty park,which if you have kids is a must, and if not, well worth a stroll around. There aresome good shops and cafes on the High Street and down King Street – our favourites are:The Crieff Food Co – Recently opened and is a very good deli/café and shop.They pride themselves on sourcing local Scottish produce. Delivino, The Loft, Red Squirrel Café – all lovely cafes and some with small gift shops or Delis. Fish in Crieff is a fantastic fishmonger for stunning scallops, crab, squid and langoustines.There is a Co-op on Town Green.
Dunkeld - 25 miles
The lovely village of Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay. Here you will find artisan bakery, Aran Bakery, owned by Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden. If you are a keen walker, The Hermitage, managed by National Trust for Scotland, is well worth a visit. It is one of our favourite places as it is so beautiful and peaceful.
Aberfeldy - 31 miles
A lovely half/full day trip. It is a bustling highland town with some lovely cafes, shops and restaurants. It combines fantastically with a trip up to Loch Tay and Dewars Distillery. The drive up the Sma’ Glen is without a doubt one of Scotland’s finest scenic drives.
Dundee - 35 miles
Dundee is a coastal city on the Firth ofTay. It is currently going through a major regeneration of its waterfront and has a number of good tourist attractions: 2 nautical museums: RRS Discovery(Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition ship) and 19th-century warship, HM Frigate Unicorn; Verdant Works is a museum celebrating the city’s jute-manufacturing heritage; The McManus, Dundee’s ArtGallery & Museum displays art and archaeological finds; Dundee ScienceCentre, and; The newly opened V&A,Scotland’s first design museum.
Stirling - 21 miles
If history is your thing then Stirling has plenty to do, from visiting Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre.There are also a wide range of shops and cafes in the city centre. On the way to Stirling is the wonderful Blair Drummond Safari Park which is a great day out for both children and adults.Enjoy the play park and visiting all the animals on the drive-through safari tour.
THINGS TO DO
Day trip ideas
For the gardeners
Drummond Castle – Open from April – October. If you are an Outlander fan – you will be in your element as much of the filming was done here. The gardens are fantastic, and it combines really well with exploring Glen Turret Distillery and the Library of Innerpeffray (see below). www.drummondcastlegardens.co.uk Day Trip Ideas
For the historians/book lovers/genealogists
The Library of Innerpeffray may seem like an odd choice – but it is the most extraordinary gem. It is the oldest lending library in Scotland – and a pioneer of the Scottish Enlightenment. It houses a priceless collection of books, first editions of Scots authors and for those in the know – a Kilmarnock Burns (very, very rare). The borrowers register goes back to the 18th Century and if you had family from this area – you may well find their name in it. Events are run throughout the year here and worth going to if something is on. www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
For the outdoor enthusiasts
Where to start? So much to do! See below for munro ideas – but if you are a keen hill walker –then we would suggest a long (but worth it) day of Ben Vorlich via Glen Artney and/or combining Stuc a’Chorin which is next door. Check out www.walkhighlands.co.uk for more detailed information. Kayaks and boats can be rented up on Loch Tay www.loch-tay.co.uk (50mins away). Local biking at Comrie Croft and Loch Tay. Please always check weather conditions as even in Summer we can have 4 seasons in one day. Best site for mountain weather is www.mwis.org.uk.
For the golfers
Again, so many to choose from! The famous Gleneagles course – pricey, busy, but special. www.gleneagles.com Auchterarder Golf Course – nearly as nice and just next to Gleneagles. www.auchterardergolf.co.uk Perth offers Craigie Hill (craigiehill.co.uk) and the Island course. We are also just an hour from St Andrews. Other courses are Crieff, Comrie, Dunning, Foulford (Up the Sm’a Glen).
For the whisky lovers
If you come to Scotland, going around a distillery is a must! We are very lucky to haveGlenturret distillery on our door step. They do daily tours and also have the two Michelinstarred Glenturret Lalique restaurant there as well. Other local distilleries are Tullibardine, justoff the A9, Dewars up at Aberfeldy and if you like gin – Strathearn Gin Distillery.
THINGS TO DO
Day trip ideas
Castles & Battles
Head to Stirling for a day of Scottish history – Climb the Wallace monument, or go roundBannock Burn and Stirling Castle. Discover everything about the importance of these places inScottish history. www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk www.nationalwallacemonument.comwww.battleofbannockburn.com - 40 mins
Active Kids
A super fun outdoor (and indoor soft play) playground. It has forts, high slides, go-karts, trampolines, tractor ted farm, some animals and a great café and shop. Take a picnic or get one from there. This is a guaranteed fun day out for the kids. www.activekidsadventurepark.co.uk - 20 mins
Action Glen
Action Glen, near Crieff is all about outdoor experiences. It has numerous activities for the young ones, from toddlers to teens. From ziplines to alpaca trekkings, axe throwing, air riffles, quad bikes and horse riding. They have a game zone, adventure park, but also a soft play and a cinema. Depending on a age, you can choose from over 30 activities. Also the adult kids. ;-) For info and reservations: www.crieffhydro.com - 20 mins
Auchingarrich Wildlife Park
A great day out for all ages – the views are stunning across the hills and it has everything fromhighland cows to zip wires in the playground. The café and shop are good too. www.auchingarrich.co.uk.
Bag your first munro
We are very lucky to have some accessible munros to hand! Ben Chonzie is the easiest assent (From Glen Ledock above Comrie) and has some stunning views over to Loch Tay and back down Strathearn. Perhaps the more interesting munro (though slightly harder) is Ben Vorlich (from Loch Earn.) It has stunning views down Loch Earn and to the South and West. A good website to look up is www.walkhighlands.co.uk. If you just want to get into the heather – then drive up to the Knock above Crieff or Loch Turret and there are some stunning walks along the loch. Please take supplies and check the weather beforehand.
Comrie Croft
If you have brought your bikes (or you can hire them there) this is a great place to test nerve on their various downhill courses and bumps track. The views are stunning from the top and they do cater for all levels. They have a fantastic home-grown farm shop and café. www.comriecroft.com
