Perthshire, Central Scotland

Perthshire, often called the “Heart of Scotland,” is a historic county in central Scotland known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and cultural attractions.

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The Big Tree Country

Perthshire, a historic county in central Scotland, revolves around the vibrant city of Perth, extending from the fertile Lowlands to the majestic Grampian Mountains. Encompassing regions like Strathearn, Highland Perthshire, and the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, it boasts a stunning tapestry of landscapes—from rolling farmlands and tranquil lochs to rugged Highland peaks. Renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, Perthshire captivates outdoor adventurers, history enthusiasts, and those craving an authentic Scottish experience. Once the heartland of the Picts, it is home to Scone Palace, where legendary Scottish kings, including Robert the Bruce, were crowned upon the fabled Stone of Destiny.

Good To Know…
  • Fun Fact: Blair Castle in Blair Atholl is home to the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only remaining private army, which parades annually and serves as a ceremonial guard for the Duke of Atholl.
  • Fun Fact: Perthshire inspired famous works, including J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan (inspired by his childhood in Kirriemuir) and Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, conceived during a holiday in Dunkeld.
  • Fun Fact: Perthshire is a key stop on Scotland’s renowned whisky trail, offering a rich experience for whisky enthusiasts with its historic distilleries, scenic settings, and unique flavors shaped by the region’s pure waters and barley-rich landscapes.
  • Tips for the Whisky Trail: Book distillery tours in advance, especially during peak seasons (summer and autumn).
Perthshire’s Whisky Trail
Historic. charming
Blair Athol Distillery

Located in Pitlochry, the Blair Athol Distillery, established in 1798, is one of Scotland’s oldest. It produces a nutty, spicy single malt used in blends like Bell’s. The distillery’s ivy-clad buildings and tours, make it a must-visit for its heritage and Highland charm.

Smooth. heritage
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery

In Aberfeldy, the Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery date back to 1898 and is famous for its smooth, heather-honeyed single malt. It offers an interactive exhibition and tastings, with the option to bottle your own whisky straight from the cask.

Oldest. immersive
Glenturret Distillery

Near Crieff, Glenturret is often cited as Scotland’s oldest working distillery, dating back to 1763. Known for its small-batch, handcrafted whiskies and home to the Famous Grouse Experience, where visitors can blend their own whisky.

Perthshire – Attractions, Info & Map

Scone Palace, located just outside the city of Perth, is one of Scotland’s most iconic historic sites, traditionally the coronation place of Scottish kings, including Robert the Bruce and Macbeth. The Stone of Destiny (or Stone of Scone), used in these coronations, was housed here until it was taken to Westminster Abbey in 1296 by Edward I. Returned to Scotland in 1996, the Stone is currently at Edinburgh Castle but is planned to return to Perthshire, specifically the redeveloped Perth Museum, by 2026.
The current Gothic-style palace, built in the early 19th century (1803–1808), is the ancestral home of the Murray family, the Earls of Mansfield. It replaced the medieval Scone Abbey, a major religious center until the Reformation. The palace is a Category A listed building, blending opulent interiors with historic artifacts like Marie Antoinette’s writing desk and the 1st Earl’s ambassadorial silver. Spanning 100 acres, the estate includes the Moot Hill (or “Boot Hill”), the ancient crowning mound where monarchs were enthroned, and a replica of the Stone of Destiny.
As the Pictish heartland, Scone was a political and spiritual hub, hosting the first Scottish parliaments. It remains a symbol of Scottish nationhood, with ties to Celtic traditions and Jacobite history (Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here in 1745).
Open to the public (typically April–October, check seasonal hours), Scone Palace offers tours of its state rooms, showcasing royal portraits, fine porcelain, and antique furniture.

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is currently housed at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, in the Crown Room. It is a sandstone block, roughly 26 x 16 x 10 inches and weighing about 336 pounds (152 kg), revered as the coronation seat of Scottish kings, including Kenneth MacAlpin (9th century), Macbeth, and Robert the Bruce. Traditionally kept at Scone Abbey (now Scone Palace), it was used in Scottish coronations until 1296, when Edward I of England seized it and took it to Westminster Abbey, where it was incorporated into the Coronation Chair for English and British monarchs.
On Christmas Day 1950, four Scottish students, led by Ian Hamilton, famously stole the Stone from Westminster Abbey, breaking it in two during the heist. It was repaired and returned to London in 1951 but officially sent back to Scotland in 1996 by Prime Minister John Major, arriving at Edinburgh Castle. In 2023, it was temporarily moved to Westminster for King Charles III’s coronation, the first time it left Scotland since 1996. Plans for its permanent return to Perthshire were confirmed in 2024, with Perth Museum preparing to house it by 2026, marking its first time in Perthshire in over 700 years.
The Stone is a potent symbol of Scottish identity and sovereignty, tied to Pictish and Celtic traditions. Legends link it to biblical origins (Jacob’s Pillow) or Gaelic kings brought from Ireland, though geological analysis suggests it’s local sandstone from the Scone area. Its return to Perthshire underscores the region’s historic role as Scotland’s political and spiritual heartland.

Drummond Castle Gardens are located in Perthshire, Scotland, near the village of Crieff. The gardens, laid out in the 17th century and redesigned in the 19th century, are among Scotland’s finest formal gardens. The castle itself, a Category A listed building, dates back to 1490, with the current structure largely rebuilt in the 19th century by the Drummond family, the Earls of Perth. While the castle is private (home to Lady Jane Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby), the gardens are open to the public seasonally.
The gardens are a stunning example of a parterre, inspired by French and Italian Renaissance designs, with a St. Andrew’s Cross layout. They feature meticulously clipped topiary, vibrant flowerbeds, ancient yew hedges, and over 20 statues, including classical urns and figures. The central sundial, dating to 1630, is a focal point, and the gardens are framed by the castle’s dramatic towers and surrounding woodland.
Often called “Scotland’s Versailles,” the gardens have appeared in films like Rob Roy (1995) and TV series such as Outlander, where they stood in for the Palace of Versailles. They reflect the Drummond family’s Jacobite ties, with the estate confiscated after the 1745 Rising but later restored.

Crafted in 1630, the sundial is a 17th-century masterpiece attributed to John Mylne, a renowned Scottish mason and architect who served as Master Mason to King Charles I. It stands as one of Scotland’s finest early sundials, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with astronomy and timekeeping. The sundial predates the current formal gardens, which were redesigned in the 19th century, but aligns with the estate’s long history under the Drummond family.
The sundial is a multi-faceted obelisk, intricately carved with multiple gnomons (the part casting the shadow) to tell time across various faces. Its complex design, typical of Scottish sundials of the period, includes geometric patterns and possibly heraldic symbols linked to the Drummonds. Standing at the heart of the parterre garden, it serves as a focal point, harmonizing with the formal St. Andrew’s Cross layout and surrounding topiary.
Fun Fact: The 1630 sundial is one of the oldest surviving features of the estate, predating the current castle’s 19th-century rebuild. Its precise craftsmanship allowed it to function as a timekeeper for the estate long before mechanical clocks were common, and it remains accurate when sunlight permits.

Blair Castle is located in Perthshire, Scotland, near the village of Blair Atholl. The ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl, it dates back to 1269, making it one of Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited castles. It has been a stronghold of the Murray family, evolving from a medieval fortress to a grand baronial mansion with whitewashed Georgian architecture. The castle played a significant role in Scottish history, including the Jacobite Risings (besieged in 1746, the last castle siege in Britain) and visits from Queen Victoria in 1844, who granted the Atholl Highlanders their colors.
The castle boasts 30 rooms open to the public, showcasing opulent interiors with period furniture, fine art, and Jacobite artifacts. Highlights include the grand Entrance Hall with its weapon displays, the Picture Staircase, and the Ballroom adorned with antlers. The 145-acre estate includes the Hercules Garden, a 9-acre walled garden with ponds and statues, and the Diana’s Grove, home to some of Britain’s tallest trees. The castle also houses the Atholl Highlanders’ Museum, detailing the history of Europe’s only private army.
As a symbol of Highland heritage, Blair Castle is tied to the Clan Murray and the Atholl Highlanders, who parade annually during the Atholl Gathering and Highland Games (typically late May). Its Jacobite connections include hosting Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 and later Hanoverian forces. The castle’s archives hold treasures like letters from Mary, Queen of Scots.
Fun Fact: The Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only legal private army, were formed as a personal guard for the Duke of Atholl. They still perform ceremonial duties, and their annual parade is a vibrant display of tartan, bagpipes, and tradition.

Perthshire’s Whisky Trail is a celebrated route through Perthshire, Scotland, encompassing a collection of historic distilleries primarily located around the towns of Perth, Pitlochry, Crieff, Aberfeldy, and Blackford. Key distilleries are accessible within a 30–60 minute drive from Perth. Perthshire’s Whisky Trail highlights the region’s rich whisky-making heritage, featuring some of Scotland’s oldest and most picturesque distilleries. The trail leverages Perthshire’s pure spring water, local barley, and Highland landscapes to produce distinctive single malts and blends. Visitors can explore distilleries via self-guided drives, organized tours, or even cycling trips, often combining tastings with stunning scenery like the River Tay and Cairngorms National Park.

Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is centered around Loch Leven, near the town of Kinross. Managed by NatureScot, Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is one of Scotland’s most important sites for wildlife, particularly waterfowl, covering about 1,597 hectares (including the loch and 20km of shoreline). It’s a Ramsar site, Special Protection Area (SPA), and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological significance. The loch is the largest lowland loch in Scotland, known for its rich biodiversity and historical significance, including Lochleven Castle on one of its islands. The reserve is a haven for birds, hosting up to 35,000 wintering waterfowl, including pink-footed geese, whooper swans, and wigeons. Summer visitors include ospreys, tufted ducks, and rare species like the smew. It’s also home to otters, bats, and diverse plant life, such as marsh orchids and bottle sedge. The loch supports a significant brown trout population, making it a historic angling destination.

Lochleven Castle (often spelled Loch Leven Castle) is located in Perthshire, Scotland, on a small island in Loch Leven, near the town of Kinross. Dating back to the 13th century, Lochleven Castle is a medieval fortress known for its role as a prison, most famously for Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned here from June 1567 to May 1568. She escaped with the help of George Douglas and a young boy, Willie Douglas, who stole the keys. The castle was also a stronghold during the Wars of Independence, visited by figures like Robert the Bruce and later besieged in 1335. It fell into ruin by the 18th century but remains a well-preserved ruin managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
The castle comprises a 14th-century tower house, a 16th-century round tower (Glassin Tower), and a courtyard enclosed by stone walls. The tower house, where Mary was likely held, includes a great hall and private chambers. The island setting, surrounded by Loch Leven’s waters, adds to its dramatic isolation.
The castle is a poignant symbol of Scotland’s turbulent history, particularly Mary, Queen of Scots’ dramatic life. Her imprisonment here followed her abdication in favor of her son, James VI, and her miscarriage of twins. The castle’s role in the Reformation and clan conflicts further cements its place in Scottish lore.

Dalmunzie Castle Hotel is located near the village of Spittal of Glenshee and situated at the head of a 6,500-acre estate. Dalmunzie Castle, dating back to 1510, is a quintessential Laird’s mansion built in the Scots Baronial style, with turrets and a rambling structure. Originally a Mackintosh family stronghold, it replaced an earlier, ruinous castle from the 17th century. The estate was held by various families, including the Fergussons and MacRitchies, with ties to the Jacobite Risings (1715 and 1746). In 1920, Sir Archibald Birkmyre extended the house and added a 9-hole golf course, and it served as a base for a mountain artillery regiment during WWII. It has been a country house hotel since 1946.
The hotel offers 17–19 individually styled rooms, including doubles, twins, four-poster rooms, tower suites (once the Laird’s quarters), and family suites, all with en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and views of Glenshee’s mountains or gardens. Amenities include a fine-dining restaurant (Michelin Guide-recommended, serving Scottish cuisine with local produce), a snug bar with over 100 malt whiskies, a library, and wood-paneled lounges with open fires. Outdoor facilities include a 9-hole golf course (one of Britain’s highest), a tennis court, and hiking trails on the 6,500-acre estate, ideal for exploring the Cairngorms National Park. Pets are welcome, and the hotel hosts weddings, meetings, and events like clay pigeon shooting.
Nestled in the tranquil Glenshee valley, Dalmunzie embodies Highland Perthshire’s peace and heritage, described by Queen Victoria in 1848 as a place of “freedom and peace.” Its Scots Baronial architecture and historic rooms, named after regional clans, reflect 500 years of local history. The hotel’s isolation, yet proximity to Edinburgh (less than 2 hours), makes it a unique retreat.

Established in 1994, the House of Bruar is dubbed “the Harrods of the Highlands,” a premier luxury retail and dining destination celebrating Scottish craftsmanship and cuisine. Set on a sprawling estate in Highland Perthshire, it combines high-end shopping with gourmet food halls and scenic surroundings, making it a popular stop for travelers on the A9 en route to the Highlands or Cairngorms National Park.
The Clan Donnachaidh Centre is located at Bruar, near Pitlochry, just off the A9 road. Established in 1969, the Clan Donnachaidh Centre is home to Scotland’s first purpose-built clan museum, dedicated to Clan Donnachaidh (Gaelic for “Children of Duncan”), whose principal surnames are Robertson, Duncan, and Reid. The clan traces its origins to the Celtic Earls of Atholl and descends from Duncan the Stout, a 14th-century chief who fought with Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn (1314). The centre, run by the Clan Donnachaidh Society (founded 1893), preserves the clan’s heritage, including its Jacobite ties and involvement in the 1689, 1715, and 1745 risings.

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