Accommodation in Perth & Perthshire - Central Scotland

Perthshire is one of Scotland's gems with much to offer.
Well known for its beautiful trees and lochs.
Ideal for romantic breaks at any time of year.
Lots of opportunities for outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, walking, cycling. Popular places to visit include Blair Castle, Loch Tay and the Queen's View
not to mention the pretty towns of Aberfeldy, Pitlochry and Perth.

Queen's View, Perthshire
Queen's View © Juergen Schonnop | Dreamstime.com
River Tay, Perth

PERTH
Known as the 'Fair City', Perth was the capital of Scotland in the 12th century. This busy town is home to lots of shops, restaurants and eateries, a concert hall, theatre, swimming pool, racecourse (horse racing), etc.
At Dewar's Centre you can go ice skating, curling or bowling.
Take a stroll along the banks of the Tay (Scotland’s longest river) and see the many bridges of Perth.

The Perth Art Trail covers local artists at work in Tay Street, the Fergusson Gallery, and the Perth Museum & Art Gallery (admission free).
The Black Watch Regimental Museum is housed in historic Balhousie Castle in Hay Street.
External link: the history of Perth.

There are lots of events throughout the year including the art festival, Perth Show (early August), Perth Highland Games (mid August), flower festival (August). There are regular Farmers' Markets on first Saturday of each month.

At the Perth Agricultural Centre you can see livestock auction sales and the Perth Mart Visitor Centre (cafe, gift shop).
On the outskirts of town (at the Inveralmond roundabout on the A9) is the Caithness Glass Factory and Visitor Centre (famous for its paperweights).
At Bankfoot, 7 miles north of Perth, you will find The Scottish Liqueur Centre and the Perthshire Visitor Centre (gifts, clothing, foodhall, restaurant).

Perth has excellent transport links. It sits on the main railway line from Edinburgh to Inverness. There are also regular CityLink coaches from Perth up and down the A9 (linking Edinburgh and Inverness).
More info on coach tours & car hire

SCONE PALACE
2 miles outside of Perth is the historic Scone Palace - where 42 of Scotland's Kings were crowned when it was home to the famous Stone of Destiny (which is now in Edinburgh Castle but will be moved to a new museum in Perth in 2024). Now home to the Earl and Countess of Mansfield, the palace is open to the public daily from April to October. Well worth a visit. Sumptuous interiors full of treasures and history! A replica coronation chair and stone are displayed in the Duke of Lennox’s Room.
The large grounds include formal gardens and a wild garden. Restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop and food shop. Tel: 01738 552 300.
The Scottish Game Fair takes place here every year in early July. Throughout the summer, events including falconry demonstrations and living history performances may be seen at various times.

You can stay in a self catering apartment in Scone Palace. The Balvaird Wing has 3 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6 people.

 Scone Palace
Scone Palace © Geoffrey Allerton | Dreamstime.com
Blair Castle
Blair Castle © Tony Thomas | Dreamstime.com 		BLAIR CASTLE
The castle dates from the 13th century and is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Some of ITV’s series 2 of 'Victoria' was filmed at Blair Castle. It has a magnificent setting in 2,500 acres of grounds within an estate of over 145,000 acres. Very convenient location just off the main A9. 35 miles north of Perth. 7 miles north of Pitlochry.
Open daily April - October. Guided tours available to groups. Gift shop and restaurant. Tel: 01796 481207. Rated 5 Stars by the Scottish Tourist Board. Click here for more details.
At the end of May each year, the castle plays host to the Atholl Gathering & Highland Games
The Castle can be hired for civil and religious weddings and receptions as well as corporate hospitality, private dining and product launches.

The Ranger Service provides free information about the waymarked trails for walkers and cyclists on the estate. The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials & Country Fair take place here every August. Fishing, deer stalking and grouse shooting are available by arrangement.

Self catering accommodation is available in Highland lodges. Blair Castle Caravan Park provides holiday homes and pitches for caravans and tents.

A popular place to stop when driving along the A9 (approximately 10 miles north of Pitlochry) is the House of Bruar. This huge store includes country clothing, knitwear, luxury cashmere garments, a foodhall full of Scottish produce, and a restaurant. Open daily throughout the year. Tel: 01796 483236.

PITLOCHRY
This picturesque town is famous for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre which hosts a variety of events all year round. There are lots of hotels, B&Bs and restaurants. On the busy main street you will find Victoria's Restaurant - a family-run eaterie which is open from 10am until late.
The Pitlochry Highland Games are on the second Saturday in September. The Enchanted Forest is a magical light and music experience which takes place over 2 weeks in October.
Edradour Distillery is just outside Pitlochry and is known as Scotland's smallest distillery.
3 miles north of Pitlochry is the famously beautiful tree-line gorge called the Pass of Killiecrankie where the first major Jacobite battle took place. It is now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland and a visitor centre is open April - October.

CRIEFF VISITOR CENTRE
Facilities at the Crieff Visitor Centre include a 180-seater licensed restaurant, Caithness Glass visitor gallery and shop, a fully stocked garden centre and a wide selection of quality gift ideas. Open daily from 9am to 5pm. In addition, there is free admission to the Highland Drovers Exhibition (open from 10am to 4.30pm) where you can follow in the footsteps of Scotland's cattle drovers and experience the life and times of the people who made Crieff the crossroads of Scotland at the turn of the 18th century.
Situated just 20 miles from Perth, Crieff is the second largest town in Perthshire.

Drummond Castle Gardens
Drummond Castle Gardens © cornfield - Fotolia 		DRUMMOND CASTLE GARDENS
Situated near Crieff, these are Scotland’s most impressive formal gardens, dating back to the 17th century. You might recognise the gardens from the Rob Roy movie. Queen Victoria visited in 1842. Open daily for the Easter weekend and then from 1 May to 31 October. Opening times 1pm - 6pm (last admission 5pm), and 11am - 6pm in July and August. Admission charge. Ticket office with cold drinks and ice cream. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Please note that the castle itself is not open to visitors. Tel: 01764 681433.

SCOTTISH CRANNOG CENTRE
Ancient loch dwellings known as crannogs were typically built some 2,500 years ago throughout Scotland and Ireland. Discover how Iron Age people lived in these homesteads at the centre by Kenmore on Loch Tay. Sadly the unique reconstruction of a crannog was destroyed by fire in summer 2021.
The museum and Iron Age village are still open and there are 'hands-on' ancient crafts and technology demonstrations plus frequent special events. Scottish Tourist Board 5 Star Visitor Attraction. Giftshop. Canoe hire. Tel: 01887 830583.

crannog
Crannog © AndyMac | Dreamstime.com

________________

B&Bs in Perthshire
Scotland's Best B&Bs

SCOTLAND'S BEST B&Bs IN PERTHSHIRE

Scotland's Best B&Bs is an organisation
with members throughout Scotland.
All graded 4 or 5 Stars by Visit Scotland (the Scottish Tourist Board).

To see members of Scotland's Best B&Bs
please click here to visit their web site

________________

Hotels in Perthshire

Knock Castle Hotel Perthshire
Knock Castle
Drummond Terrace
Crieff
Perthshire PH7 4AN

Knock Castle Hotel & Spa

Set in 3.5 acres of wooded grounds near Crieff in Perthshire.
Former 19th century baronial home of Scottish shipping magnate Lady McBrayne.
Romantic Hotel of the Year 2020 (Regional Winner) in The Scottish Hotel Awards.
Visit Scotland 4 Star Hotel.
Ideal for golf, distilleries,

Leisure facilities include a gym, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath.
Beauty treatments & therapies available.

Choice of ensuite bedrooms in the castle or adjacent lodge.
Rooftop restaurant, lounge bar, afternoon teas.

Click here to book online

________________

photo

Dunkeld House Hotel
Dunkeld
Perthshire PH8 0HX

Dunkeld House Hotel

Elegant Edwardian country house hotel set on a private estate of 280 acres.
Originally built by the 7th Duke of Atholl as a summer home for his wife.
One the most luxurious resort hotels in Scotland.
Features include wood paneling, stone fireplace and ornate furnishings.
Panoramic views over the Tay Valley.
Situated 12 miles north of Perth.

Health and Leisure Club with swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Health and beauty treatments.
All weather tennis courts and 9 hole putting course.
Activities can be arranged for you including clay pigeon shooting,
4x4 offroad driving, archery, quad biking,

Restaurant overlooking the River Tay.
Bar lounge. Afternoon teas.

Choice of 150 bedrooms including deluxe rooms and suites.
All rooms have TV, on-demand movies, hairdryer, trouser press.

B&B prices from £60 per person.
Click here for online availability & booking

________________

Self Catering in Perthshire

Branklyn Garden Cottage in Perth
Branklyn Garden Cottage
116 Dundee Road
Perth PH2 7BB

Branklyn Garden Cottage

Part of a beautiful Arts & Crafts house
set in Branklyn Garden (National Trust for Scotland) in Perth.
Staying at the property offers private access to the gardens outside public hours.
Created in the 1920s by Dorothy and John Renton and now home to over 4,500 species of plants from all over the world.

2 bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin) & shower room.
Open-plan living space with kitchen, and sitting area with woodburning stove
Central heating. Off road parking near the property.
Up to 2 well behaved dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times within the garden

Short Term Let licence number PK-11112-F

Click here to book online

________________

The Balvaird Wing at Scone Palace
Scone Palace
Perth PH2 6BD

The Balvaird Wing - Scone Palace

5 star luxury apartment for up to 6 people.
Located on the second floor of Scone Palace.
Rental price includes a free tour of Scone Palace (open April to October).
An ideal base for golf, castles, countryside walks, etc.

3 ensuite bedrooms:
MacGregor Room: Super king size double bed with en-suite bath tub
Colonel Andrew's Room: 2 king size single beds with en-suite bath and shower
Lady Carnegie's Room: 2 king size single beds with en-suite bath and shower
A double sofa bed is also available in the Sitting Room.

Digital TV, iPod dock, bathrobes and free toiletries.
Sitting room with magnificent views over the parks to the River Tay
Fully equipped dining kitchen with full-sized fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.
Free WiFi. Free parking.
Contactless check-in with private entrance.
No pets. No smoking.

Welcome packs or picnic lunches can be arranged
Private chef or housekeeping service on request.

Click here to book online

________________

Transport & Tours

Highland Safaris based near Aberfeldy in Perthshire offer guided Land Rover safaris with a kilted ranger to enjoy the wildlife and scenery of Highland Perthshire. This 5 star visitor attraction includes an award-winning cafe and gift shop. Also available: self-guided walking safaris and cycle safaris, as well as Red Deer and Barn Owl encounters, Off Road Driving course, bike hire, plus Scotland's Only Gold and Gem Panning Centre.
Activity days can be arranged for stags and hens. Corporate hospitality and teambuilding activities available. Tailor-made celebration packages can include a 5 star dining experience in a hilltop marquee or a picnic in a mountain bothy.

For coach tours covering Perthshire - click here

________________

Perthshire Links:


Castles in Perthshire
Perthshire walks