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Destinations > Scotland > Central Scotland > Perthshire & Kinross
Perthshire & KinrossPerthshire and Kinross is bordered by Stirling and Fife to the south, Highland and Aberdeenshire to the north and Angus to the east. It encompasses the Tayside region and the Grampians are in the north. It isn't a big destination with budget travellers but many backpackers pass through here on the M90 motorway and A9 highway en route to the Highlands. PerthAlthough it's a pleasant place, Scotland's former capital doesn't offer much for the average backpacker and most travellers stop here to take a look at Scone Palace and then move on. Practical InformationPerth Tourist Information CentreLower City Mills, PerthTel (01738) 450600 Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4pm; 1 Apr-7 Jul Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm; 8 Jul-1 Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm; 2 Sep-27 Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm; 28 Oct-31 Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm Coming & GoingThere are frequent trains and coaches from Perth to the Scottish major towns and cities with several trains and coaches every hour to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Because Perth is on the main route to the Highlands there are also frequent coaches and trains to Inverness via Pitlochry. SightsBlack Watch MuseumThis museum is dedicated to the Black Watch regiment of the British Army. Exhibits include uniforms, weapons and a number of interesting artefacts. Dalhousie Castle, Hay Street, PerthTel (0131) 310 8530 Website www.theblackwatch.co.uk/museum/ Admission free Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 10am-3.30pm; May-Sep Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-3.30pm Perth Museum & Art GalleryPerth Museum is one of the world's oldest and it features exhibits that include local history, silver, glass making and a 29kg salmon that was caught in 1922 from the River Tay. The adjoining art galleries boast over 4000 works of art. 78 George Street, PerthTel (01738) 632 488 Website www.pkc.gov.uk/ah/perth_museum.htm Admission free Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm St John's KirkDating from 1127, St John's Kirk played an important role during the Reformation and even today it remains the focus of the town. St John's Place, PerthTel (01738) 638482 Website www.st-johns-kirk.co.uk Admission free Open May-Sep Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Scone PalacePerth's most important attraction is Scone Palace, 4½km north of the city centre. This was the site of the coronation ceremonies of Scotland's kings and nowadays is the home of the Lord and Lady of Mansfield. The interior and grounds of the palace are open to visitors and the palace features an impressive collection of lace, fine china and antiques. The Palace's most famous artefact was the 'Stone of Destiny', which is now housed in Edinburgh Castle, after being kept in Westminster Abbey for many centuries. The Palace's extensive grounds feature formal and wild gardens and an excellent maze. A93, PerthTel (01738) 552300 Website www.scone-palace.net Admission £6.75 ($5.70 students); grounds only £3.40 (£2.80 students); joint ticket with entry to Blair Castle, Glamis Castle and Dewars World of Whisky £12 Open Apr-Oct 9.30am-5.30pm daily (last entry 5pm) Dunkeld & BirnamThese two villages, located only a short walk apart, are rich in history and also make a good base for walking in the surrounding countryside. The main attraction is Dunkeld Cathedral while Birnam has influenced Beatrix Potter's the Tale of Peter Rabbit and has also featured in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Practical InformationDunkeld Tourist Information CentreThe Cross, Dunkeld PH8 0ANTel (01350) 727 688 Open 25 Mar-7 Jul Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm; 8 Jul-1 Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm; 2 Sep-27 Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Coming & GoingOf the two villages, Birnam is the main transport hub and the majority of coaches and all trains stop here. Scottish Citylink coaches on the Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness route stop outside the train station in Birnam. The local Stagecoach buses are a handy way of getting to either Perth or Pitlochry and they have the benefit of also stopping in Dunkeld. Birnam's small train station is on the Edinburgh-Inverness line. AccommodationWester Caputh Indepdendent HostelManse Road, Caputh, near Dunkeld PH1 4JHTel (01738) 710449 
SightsBirnam InstituteBeatrix Potter used to spend her childhood holidays in the Birnam area and this local arts centre is now home to an exhibition focusing on her work. Station Road, BirnamTel (01350) 727 674 Website www.birnaminstitute.com Admission free Open 10am-5pm daily Dunkeld CathedralDunkeld's cathedral has been around for around 1400 years and nowadays much of it remains in ruins, however there is a restored section that is still used as a church. High Street, DunkeldWebsite www.dunkeldcathedral.org.uk Admission free Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 2pm-4pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun 2pm-6.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 2pm-4pm PitlochryMany travellers stop at this small town en route to both the Grampians and the Highlands. Its attractions include two distilleries and the unique fish ladder. There are some good hiking trails around town and the Blair Castle is 11km north of here. Practical InformationPitlochry Tourist Information Centre22 Atholl Road, PitlochryTel (01796) 472215 Open 1 Jan-30 Mar Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm; 31 Mar-19 May Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm; 20 May-8 Sep Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm; 9 Sep-27 Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm; 28 Oct-31 Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm Coming & GoingLike Dunkeld and Birnam, Pitlochry lies on the main route between Edinburgh and Inverness, ensuring that there is frequent transport in and out of town. The train station in the town centre has regular trains to Inverness, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow and more frequent coaches ply the same route. The local Stagecoach buses go to Perth and Blair Athol (for Blair Castle). AccommodationPitlochry Backpackers134 Atholl Road, Pitlochry PH16 5ABTel (01796) 470 044 
Pitlochry SYHAKnockard Road, Pitlochry PH16 5HJTel (01796) 472 308 or 0870 004 1145 
SightsBlair CastleThis stunning castle is home to the Atholl Highlanders, Britain's only private army, and the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The castle features the usual collection of furniture and paintings as well as impressive gardens. Blair AthollTel (01796) 481 207 Website www.blair-castle.co.uk Admission £6.70 (£5.40 students); grounds only £2; joint ticket with entry to Scone Palace, Glamis Castle and Dewars World of Whisky £12 Open Jan-15 Mar Tue-Sat 9.30am-12.30pm; Apr-Oct 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Nov-Dec Tue-Sat 9.30am-12.30pm Fish ladderThe unique fish ladder allows salmon to swim upstream between the dammed River Tummel and Loch Faskally. It is located at the dam south of the train station. Whisky distilleriesThere are two distilleries in town and many travellers tour both. Bells Blair Athol distillery is the bigger of the two and it has well organised tours, while the tiny Edradour distillery is Scotland's smallest. Bells Blair Athol Distillery, Perth Road, PitlochryTel (01796) 472003 Admission £3 Open Jan-Easter Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm; Easter-Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Oct Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm Edradour Distillery, A924, Moulin (4km north of the town centre) Tel (01796) 472095 Website www.edradour.co.uk Admission free Open Mar-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Nov to mid-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm |
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