Perthshire sits right in the middle of Scotland, where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. Known as “Big Tree Country”, it is a land of ancient woods, wide rivers, lochs, castles and small towns, all within about an hour of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Why visit Perthshire
For easy access to Highland scenery. You can stay in a riverside town, walk in the forests, visit grand castles and palaces and drive into the mountains in a single day, without the long journeys of the far north.
Top places to visit in Perthshire
Perth and Scone Palace
The small city of Perth on the River Tay, and Scone Palace, where Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny.
The Meikleour Beech Hedge
Planted in 1745, this hedge near Coupar Angus is about 30 metres tall and over 500 metres long, recognised as the tallest hedge in the world.
Pitlochry and Blair Castle
A Victorian holiday town with a dam and salmon ladder, a theatre and distilleries, and white-walled Blair Castle nearby.
Dunkeld and Loch Tay
The cathedral town of Dunkeld among tall trees, and Loch Tay with its reconstructed Iron Age crannog.
Best time to visit Perthshire
May to October is best for walking and gardens. In October, the forests turn gold and red and the region holds events celebrating autumn.
Getting around Perthshire
Trains run from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Perth in about an hour to an hour and a half, continuing north to Dunkeld and Pitlochry. A car is the easiest way to reach rural places such as the Meikleour hedge and Loch Tay.
What to eat in Perthshire
Perthshire raspberries and strawberries in summer, Tay salmon, local venison and beef, and a dram from one of Pitlochry’s distilleries.
Perthshire FAQ
Is Perthshire part of the Highlands?
Partly. The north and west of the county are Highland, while Perth and the south are in the lowlands.
How long should I stay?
Two or three days are enough for Perth, Scone, Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
