Where is it:
Locked at the heart of Scotland, with the Highlands to the north, and Fife and Loch Lomond below.
Why visit:
Perthshire is a mixture of forests, woodlands, beautiful lochs, and sweeping glens. It’s especially stunning in the autumn when the vibrant colours of the trees transform the countryside. It really is a sight to behold!
Perthshire makes a great base to explore multiple areas of Scotland, including Fife, Aberdeenshire, Stirling, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, and the Highlands. It’s also easy to reach from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Perfect for a family-friendly road trip!
Top things for families:
Easy forest walks for the whole family, some of which are pram suitable like The Hermitage, boat trips, adventure activities for kids who are older than 6 like rafting and tubing.
Major cities/towns:
Perth: Located beside the River Tay, Perth was once known as the ‘capital’ of Scotland due to the royal court visiting so often. Visit Balhousie Castle and Museum, home of the Black Watch, a Royal Regiment of Scotland known for their dark-coloured kilts, and the Branklyn Gardens, as well as taking a stroll down George Street with its historic terraced buildings and independent shops.
Pitlochry: A popular pitstop off the A9, the biggest and busiest road heading north from Edinburgh, but also a great base for further exploring Perthshire and beyond. There are lots of local eateries and accommodation available in the surrounding area.
Dunkeld: Home to the partly ruined Dunkeld Cathedral, Dunkeld Bridge, and the quaint colourful houses built in the 1700s.
Known for:
Autumn colours: Perthshire is a fantastic place to visit during autumn, with its many woodlands that have given it the nickname “Big Tree Country”. The changing colours of the trees surrounding lochs and rivers and covering mountains and glens is a beautiful sight to see.
The Enchanted Forest: A light and sound experience created in Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. It’s usually held in autumn, around October. They have twilight shows that are popular with families. It is possible to take a pram as long as it folds to go on the shuttle bus you need to take to the start. Children under 3 are free but still need an allocated ticket.
The Hermitage: This part of Perthshire forest was historically enjoyed by the Dukes of Atholl and is now maintained by the National Trust. The paths between the towering Douglas Fir trees are easy to walk and lead to the cascading Black Linn waterfall, which you can overlook from inside the stone 18th century folly known as Ossian’s Hall. There is now an accessible path from the car park to Ossian’s Hall which you could take a pram on.
Scone Palace: A popular attraction in Perthshire, with a history stretching back to the Picts, Celtic-speaking peoples who lived in Scotland in the Iron Age and Medieval periods. You can tour the stately rooms that are fitted out with all sorts of antique treasures and heirlooms, as well as the expansive Palace grounds.
It was also the home of the Stone of Destiny (or Stone of Scone) on which the Kings of Scotland were crowned until the 13th century. In 1296 the stone was captured and taken to Westminster Abbey, where it stayed until it was stolen back by four Scottish students on Christmas Day in 1950!