Fill your days with trips to historic whisky distilleries, leisurely walks in ancient woodlands, enjoy a round of golf, salmon fishing in the mighty Tay River or enjoy the thrill of white water rafting. Sample delicious food and drink in the city of Perth, explore an array of castles, historic buildings and museums that will bring the region’s compelling past to life and discover an eclectic music scene with many music festivals to enjoy in the Summer months. You might need to stay a few nights.
Golf
Scotland is the home of golf and remains one of the nation’s key attractions. Persie Croft B&B enjoys a fabulous location being in close proximity to some of Scotland’s most prestigious golf courses at Gleneagles, where The 3 champion golf courses are regarded among the best in the world.
Auchterarder golf club is situated just round the corner from Persie Croft. The parkland course has spectacular views towards Gleneagles and the Ochil hills. Visitors are welcomed all year round.
These can be booked in advance @
www.gleneagles.com/golf
www.auchterardergolf.co.uk
Cycling
There are a number of National Cycle Network (NCN) routes which pass through Perthshire, allowing you to explore the area at your own pace.
Perthshire is home to some of the most challenging and rewarding on and off-road cycling in Scotland as well as gentler routes for the whole family. The magnificent panoramic views, diverse wildlife and miles upon miles of little used routes throughout the area’s dramatic countryside make the region one of Britain’s top cycling destinations. If you are looking for an easy cycle route or want to take kids out for a gentle afternoon pedal then Loch Dunmore is an ideal destination. This circular route around the loch has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. There are other routes available through Faskally Forest starting and finishing from the same car park.
Highland Perthshire also has a superb choice of off-road tracks for mountain bikers, from gentle riverside routes to challenging trails over the mountains. You can also test your skills on ramps, seesaws and other exciting technical features at Bike Trax, Highland Perthshire’s first purpose-built mountain bike skills loop. Once you’ve perfected your skills on the bike loop, venture out on a cycling safari biking trail.
Fishing
The River Tay in Perthshire is internationally renowned for its Atlantic salmon fishing. It is one of the best salmon rivers in the U.K. and anglers come from all over the world to fish here. The River Tay is the home of record fish, including the largest ever caught rod salmon in Britain, which was caught by Miss Georgina Ballantine in 1922 weighing 64lbs, and which remains the British record.
If you would like to book fishing on the River Tay or one of the many other beautiful Rivers or Lochs in the area check out the links below.
Check out:
www.fishpal.com - for booking details and information about the river conditions
www.flyfishscotland.com - where you can book a half or full day of fly fishing, with tuition if required.
You will be picked up and returned to your accommodation and lunch will be provided.
Walking
Auchterarder boasts a path network over 50 miles (80 km) forming a range of routes for walking, cycling and horse riding. There is direct access from Persie Croft to one of these routes.
With 2,000 square miles of dramatic landscape, Perthshire offers a wide variety of walking opportunities for you to enjoy. Located in the heart of Scotland, this region is home to some of the finest and most accessible scenery anywhere in the Scottish Highlands. Discover a variety of routes from gentle riverside strolls and refreshing forest trails to treks in the rugged countryside and climbing Munros.
By visiting this magnificent region, you will be in good company as you follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria as well as artist William Turner and poets Robert Bills and William Wordsworth who took inspiration from its stunning landscapes. Perthshire is home to some of Europe’s oldest forests, including one of the tallest trees in Britain.
The region plays host to a number of walking festivals and events, including the very popular Enchanted Forest, a light show that brings Faskally Woods near Pitlochry to life at night, as well as the Crieff and Strathearn Drover Tryst, a popular walking festival held every autumn, offering guided walks from themed easy walks to high level walks in the hills around Crieff.
Check out:
www.droverstryst.com - The festival usually takes place in October
www.enchantedforest.org.uk - One for the family, just 35 minutes away from Auchterarder.
www.visitscotland.com/see-do/activities/walking - for a selection of graded walks in Perthshire.
A Day out in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is only 1hour 15mins by train from Gleneagles Railway Station. If you are driving to Edinburgh, better to use the free park & ride near the airport and jump on a tram to the city centre. Edinburgh is packed full of fantastic attractions, culture hotspots and great shopping opportunities. The city’s compact nature makes it easy to fit a range of wonderful activities into one brilliant day out in Scotland’s capital.
Edinburgh Castle, home to the iconic Stone of Destiny is a must see and is best toured first thing in the morning to beat the crowds who flock to this world famous attraction every day. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city from the castle’s position atop the volcanic Castle Rock, conveniently located near many open top tour bus routes. Why not spend the afternoon hopping on and off these tour buses whilst exploring the city’s other top attractions such as the iconic Scottish Parliament, the refurbished National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Zoo, home to the unmissable giant pandas.
If you’re looking for an afternoon of retail therapy, Edinburgh provides a variety of shopping experiences to suit any taste, from the high-end fashion retailers on George Street to the weekly stalls of the award-winning Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, the largest of its kind in Scotland. Princes Street Gardens sit below the magnificent castle and provide the perfect location for taking a well-earned break from your shopping and sightseeing.
After a busy day exploring Edinburgh, you can enjoy a dram of specially blended Scottish whisky and cuisine on a relaxing evening tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience. Here, you’ll learn all about the fascinating whisky making process before tucking into a delicious three course meal. A great way to walk off your meal is by taking a gentle stroll down the atmospheric Royal Mile or Grassmarket whilst exploring Edinburgh’s legendary nightlife, which is full of busy bars, pubs and restaurants.
The largest arts festival in the world takes place in Edinburgh every August. Three weeks of the finest music, theatre, opera and dance. It is a fantastic experience, not to be missed.
Check out:
www.eif.co.uk/Edinburgh
Other places of interest
Some other places you may find of interest are:
- Stirling Castle, Stirling
- The Wallace Monument, Stirling
- Scone Palace, Perth
- Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling
- Cruises on Loch Lomond
- Falls of Bruar
- Falls of Dochart
- Loch Venachar
- Drummond Gardens
- Tullibardine Whisky Distillery, Blackford
- The Glenturret Distillery, Crieff
- Innerpeffray Library, Crieff