Perthshire is known for being the gateway to the Highlands. Many people who visit Scotland will pass through it on their way from places like Edinburgh or Glasgow, but they often fail to explore all that this beautiful county has to offer. There are a wide variety of things to do in Perthshire, from historic landmarks and market towns to hiking trails that cut through jaw dropping scenery. You could quite easily spend an entire week in Perthshire and still not see all of its unique attractions.
Anyone who’s interested in learning more about Scottish history and culture needs to add Perthshire to their list. It’s the fourth largest historic county in Scotland and it was once home to the country’s capital city until the mid-15th century. It’s a beautiful part of Scotland to base yourself out of since its central location provides you with easy access to other parts of the country, like the rest of the Highlands or Fife. Here are some of the best things to do in Perthshire throughout the year.
Things to do in Perthshire, Scotland
Kenmore
There are a lot of beautiful towns and villages to visit throughout Perthshire, and one of the most popular is Kenmore. This village sits along Loch Tay, so it’s a great spot to come if you’re interested in water sports. The biggest attraction here though is the Scottish Crannog Centre. It’s one of the top heritage sites in Scotland and it allows visitors to see what life was like over 2500 years ago. The reconstructed wooden thatch house built on stilts over the water really is impressive to see, which is why it’s among the top things to do in Perthshire.
Blair Athol Distillery
Blair Athol Distillery sits on the edge of the town of Pitlochry. The distillery was founded at the end of the 18th century and they still use an ancient water source to distil their whisky. There’s a lot of whisky produced in Scotland, but this distillery ranks highly among the top tourist attractions in the country. Their whisky distillery tours are a great way to learn more about the distillation process and try some tasty whisky along the way. If you don’t want to take a tour, visitors are allowed to visit the shop and bar without a ticket.
Go on a hike near Pitlochry
Visiting Pitlochry is one of my favourite things to do in Perthshire. Despite its small size, the main street is full of locally run establishments that are worth stopping at. Many people who travel to Pitlochry do so for the hiking trails nearby. There are plenty of trails to choose from for all abilities, and if you want an easy and scenic one you can’t beat the Ben Vrackie Walk.
While you’re in Pitlochry, make sure you stop by Heathergems. This unique shop in Pitlochry creates Scottish jewellery and giftware using natural heather stems. It’s the perfect place to come for a souvenir or a gift to take back home.
Dunkeld
Dunkeld is one of the best preserved historic towns in Scotland. It’s also a popular place to stop before continuing further into the Highlands. This historic cathedral town was founded by the king of the Picts in the 9th century, if not slightly earlier, and it quickly became the religious centre of Scotland. The cathedral itself wasn’t established until 1260, and visitors can still walk among its remains today.
You’ll find a good selection of cafes and artisan shops located throughout the streets of Dunkeld too. Most of the buildings seen today date back to the 17th century. However, they’ve been beautifully preserved and the entire town feels like it’s been frozen in time.
Blair Castle
One of the best things to do in Perthshire is to explore the castles here. Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. It was built in the 13th century and commands an important position along the main route in the Highlands. The castle has a unique history that includes hosting Mary Queen of Scots, being attacked several times during the Jacobite Rising in the 18th century, and hosting Queen Victoria who wanted to show her gratitude to the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s last remaining private army.
Inside the castle visitors can explore more than 30 rooms, including the beautiful Victorian Ballroom. There are also weapons on display from the Battle of Culloden which can be found in the Entrance Hall. After exploring the castle, visitors are encouraged to walk around the castle’s walled garden which spreads out for nine acres.
Queen’s View
You can’t visit Perthshire without stopping at Queen’s View. This is one of the most popular things to do in Perthshire so you’ll often see large coaches dropping off tourists here for a quick break. The viewpoint is easily accessible using a short path from the parking lot, and it provides an incredible view of Loch Tummel below. Queen Victoria visited this viewpoint in 1866 so many people believe that it’s named after her. In fact, it’s named after the first wife of Robert the Bruce who lived 500 years earlier.
Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier
If you’re a chocolate fan, one of the best things to do in Perthshire is to stop by Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier. The shop is located a short drive from Pitlochry, and they have the best dark and white truffles in the world, according to the International Chocolate Awards. In the shop you can purchase all types of handcrafted chocolates as well as book a chocolate tasting, walk through the chocolate exhibition, and relax in the chocolate lounge. It’s quite an experience and one not to be missed in Perthshire.
Take a scenic drive
There are endless driving routes in Perthshire that cut through some of the most scenic landscapes in Scotland. If you have some spare time during your trip to Scotland, I’d highly recommend taking a full day out of your schedule for a road trip around Perthshire. Along the way you can add some stops like Queen’s View, Pitlochry, and a couple of castles to your itinerary. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you’ll still have a fantastic time driving around this part of central Scotland.
Scone Palace
Planning a trip to Scone Palace is one of the most incredible things to do in Perthshire. It’s a place that oozes history since its been the coronation site of Scottish kings since the 9th century and is the home of the Stone of Destiny. Scone Palace is also the site of the first recorded Scottish Parliaments. The palace you see today dates back to the 16th century and it was later remodelled in the Gothic Revival style in the 19th century.
Visiting Scone Palace isn’t one of the most budget friendly things to do in Scotland, but it’s worth paying the entry fee at least once. Plus, you’ll have access to the gardens with your ticket which are lovely in the summer months.
Do some shopping at The House of Bruar
Looking to do some shopping in Perthshire? The House of Bruar is an upscale department store in Pitlochry that specializes in high-quality clothing, produce, and art. This is where you can find a large selection of Tweed and cashmere clothing as well as some fantastic rural-style clothing. The food shop is a great place to get some edible gifts or souvenirs, and there’s a cafe and restaurant on-site too.
Huntingtower Castle
There are a lot of impressive castles in Scotland to visit. One of the most underrated attractions in Perthshire is Huntingtower Castle. This castle is located on the outskirts of Perth, and it has a history dating back to the 14th century. In 1582 James VI, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, was kidnapped from the castle and held in various locations for 10 months before escaping.
There isn’t much to see inside the castle, so the entry fee is very low. If you purchase Scotland’s Explorer Pass, then entry is included.
The Glenturret Distillery
The Glenturret Distillery is the oldest working distillery in Scotland, dating back to 1763, so it’s certainly worth visiting. It’s located very close to the town of Crieff, and is considered to be one of the top things to do in Perthshire, even if you aren’t a whisky drinker. Although we didn’t take a distillery tour, we did have time to look around the shop as well as explore the exterior of the distillery.
I would recommend booking your tour in advance to avoid disappointment, because it gets very busy on weekends and at certain times of the year.
Drummond Castle Gardens
Drummond Castle Gardens are among the most impressive and important formal gardens in Europe. They’re so impressive in fact, that they were used to depict the gardens at Versailles during the filming of Outlander. The gardens date back to the 17th century but were later designed, with many of the original features being preserved. This includes a beech tree planted by Queen Victoria in 1842.
The castle itself dates back to the 15th century but apart from the keep, most of the castle that stands today is from the late 19th century. Unfortunately the castle isn’t open to the public, so a ticket will only grant you access to the gardens.
Take a boat over to Lochleven Castle
One of the most unusual things to do in Perthshire is to visit Lochleven Castle. What’s interesting about this castle in Scotland is that it’s only accessible by boat. It was built in the 1300s, making it one of the oldest still standing in the country. It’s best known for being the place where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned before later fleeing in disguise.
If you’re planning to visit Lochleven Castle, make sure you check the weather forecast. If it’s too windy or a storm is approaching, the boat rides will be cancelled for safety reasons. The boat’s very tiny, so only a small number of people can go on it at a time. This is another castle that’s included in Scotland’s Explorer Pass.
Places to eat in Perthshire, Scotland
Jessie’s Cafe
Checking off all of the things to do in Perthshire from your list can be tiring, which is why you need somewhere cozy to stop for lunch. Chances are you’ll be at least passing through Pitlochry during your tour of the county, and if that’s the case then you need to stop at Jessie’s Cafe. This modern cafe serves all day breakfast, lunch, coffees, and a great selection of homemade cakes. On a cold day, this is the perfect place to come for a large bowl of freshly made soup and a warm drink.
Coorie Inn Restaurant
Coorie Inn is located just outside of Crieff. This is a great place to stay in Perthshire and they have a phenomenal restaurant too. Their menu is based around modern Scottish cuisine and they use only fresh and local seasonal ingredients in their dishes. You’ll find a lot of unique options here that you may not have tried before, such as guinea fowl and Perthshire pork. They also have a good selection of vegetarian dishes as well as tasty starters that are a good portion for sharing (or not, if you’re feeling hungry).
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and I also hear they have a very nice Sunday roast if you’re in the area on the weekend. Coorie Inn’s restaurant is a very popular place to dine with both locals and visitors, so it’s recommended that you book a table in advance.
Where to stay in Perthshire, Scotland
Coorie Inn
Coorie Inn is a beautiful historic hotel located in the small village of Muthill, not too far from Crieff. It’s a nice hotel to stay at if you’re looking for a quiet retreat, and the rooms have recently been renovated too. The village itself is very peaceful, and the area is in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, so it’s very scenic. As soon as you walk into the hotel you’ll be greeted by friendly staff who work hard to ensure you have the perfect stay in Perthshire.
We stayed in one of their standard super king rooms which features an en-suite shower. The beds can also be turned into two twin beds if needed. We loved everything about this room, from the cozy decor to the beautiful wooden furnishings that perfectly reflected the nature that surrounds the village. The stunning tiled bathroom was also a bonus, with a warm rainforest shower that was perfect to use after a cold day out exploring the area.
There are only six rooms available at the Coorie Inn, and each one is uniquely designed and offers something a little different for guests. It won’t be a hidden gem for long so make sure you book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
If you’re staying at the Coorie Inn you’ll be treated to breakfast which is served in the restaurant. They offer a great selection of warm breakfast dishes, including pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and a delicious full Scottish breakfast. Freshly toasted bread and preserves will also be brought to the table, and you can choose between different hot drinks or orange juice too.
Opposite the restaurant you’ll find a cozy bar area with a working fireplace and comfortable leather seats. In the evening this is a nice place to sit for a while before either heading for dinner in the restaurant or back to your room.
Visiting Perthshire is a magical experience so it’s only right that you stay in an equally special accommodation. Coorie Inn has all the charm of a 5-star boutique hotel with the benefit of maintaining a cozy and welcoming environment for guests that makes you feel like you’re staying in a home away from home.
>> Find out more about the rooms available at Coorie Inn <<
Is Perthshire, Scotland worth visiting?
Anyone visiting Scotland would be remiss if they didn’t explore Perthshire for at least a couple of days. I’ve driven around this part of the country numerous times and I never fail to find new things to do in Perthshire. It’s a haven for history enthusiasts with the amount of castles and other historic attractions dotted around the county. But it’s also the perfect area to come for a quiet retreat or to enjoy scenic walks through the stunning Scottish countryside.
Do you know any other things to do in Perthshire that should be added to this list? Or do you have any other dining recommendations? Please feel free to reach out through the contact form or by email – I’m always looking for more ideas. You can also get in touch via Instagram and follow along with my travels there.
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