Holiday apartment in Perth and Kinross: nature, history and trails

Perth and Kinross combines historic sites, landscapes rich in waterways and varied trails. On the shore of Loch Tay lies the Scottish Crannog Centre. The museum offers guided tours with interactive demonstrations in the Iron Age Village, as well as practical activities such as cooking, gathering, storytelling, pottery, spinning, weaving and woodworking.

Perth itself also places a cultural emphasis. Perth Museum presents the Stone of Destiny as an ancient symbol of the Scottish monarchy and the Scottish kingdom. The museum is just under 15 minutes away on foot from Perth railway station. This places urban history and further experiences in a direct connection with a visit to Perth.

Culture and history

Lochleven Castle combines its island location with a significant historic site. Visitors reach the island by boat across Loch Leven. The tower house in which Mary Queen of Scots was held captive was built in the 14th century. In another historic setting, Scone Palace was an ancient Scottish building and was once a coronation site for the Scottish kings.

Innerpeffray Library was Scotland’s first free public lending library. It was founded in 1680 by David Drummond, the 3rd Lord Madertie. The Innerpeffray Heritage Trail is open year-round and uses trail markers to tell the story of this ancient site from the Ice Age to the present day.

Along the River Tay, the River Tay Public Art Trail adds its own distinctive touches. The sculptures are inspired by the river, its wildlife, the town and local history.

Nature

Loch Leven is a National Nature Reserve with rare plants and insects, as well as large populations of breeding and overwintering birds. The 21-kilometre Loch Leven Heritage Trail runs around the loch. The circular route is mostly level and accessible.

The grounds of Scone Palace include a nine-acre walled garden, extensive woodland, a ruined kirk, a red deer park and a Gothic Revival folly. Since it was created in 1991, the Scone Palace maze has contained a total of 2,000 beech trees; its paths extend for more than 800 metres.

The Blair Castle garden and surrounding grounds include a nine-acre walled garden, extensive woodland, a ruined kirk, a red deer park and a Gothic Revival folly.

Quarrymill Woodland Park offers signposted woodland paths as well as wildlife and plant life, including bluebells and red squirrels. Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park encompasses five hills, provides habitats for wildlife and offers views across the Perth landscape. There are also grassy paths and signposted nature trails through mixed woodland.

Hiking and cycling

The Cateran Trail is fully signposted and runs for 64 miles, or 103 kilometres, through Perthshire and the valleys of Angus. The circular route is divided into five stages. It has no official starting or finishing point and can be started at any stage.

For cyclists, the Beyond Perth City route by Perthshire Gravel uses segregated cycle paths, low-traffic roads and gravel roads. The new River Tay Way cycle route is intended to follow National Cycle Route 77. The new long-distance walking route River Tay Way is intended to run between Perth and Kenmore and follow existing paths.

Willowgate offers guided kayaking tours to Perth. Alongside signposted land routes and cycling trails, this means that a guided water-based tour is also included in the region’s verified offering.

Local

Kinross Farmers’ Market offers fresh food from local producers and goods from craft traders.

Other places

Other places in the destination area: Glendevon, Perth, Kinloch Rannoch, Ardeonaig, St David's, Crieff, Aberfeldy, St Fillans

Morenish, Glencarse, Pitlochry, Auchterarder, Ochtertyre, Kinross, Inchture, Dunkeld

Blair Atholl, Blairgowrie and Rattray, Bridge Of Cally, Grandtully, Aberargie, Luncarty, Comrie, Braco

Invergowrie, Coupar Angus, Glenalmond, Acharn, Dunning, Fowlis Wester, Kinfauns, Scone

Kenmore, Stanley, Dull

For the higher-level travel overview: Scotland.