What to do in Perthshire, Scotland?

[ShowOfHands]

We are - hopefully - off to Perthshire for half term, staying not far from Blairgowrie. I know the west coast, Highlands and Islands of Scotland well but apart from a couple of days in Pitlochry in 2005, I don't know the area at all.

We are a family of four, the children are 14 and 9. We are fairly easy to please. We like art, history, culture, outdoor pursuits, hiking, film, bookshops etc. I also LOVE trains. We are happy not to mix too much and are mindful of Covid restrictions and being sensible. We are staying in a self catering farmhouse and plan to eat in mostly. All and any suggestions gratefully received.

It's sandy, walking nice, theres a sort of coastal path/prom. Because it's at the mouth of the river not sure about swimming it's not the sort of place that will have a life guard. It's not like a seaside resort its very much a beach with parking. not sure about rockpools. It's not commercialised.

Worth looking at the megabus for going into Edinburgh etc instead of train if trying to save some £££. Bus straight from Broxden Park & ride which is also free parking.

Loch leven has a nice walk, and a castle you can get to by the frequent boat (although not sure if they have restarted this!)

If you're into walking and exploring the countryside and hills, have a look at Perthshire on the "AllTrails" app 😊

Climb Ben Lawers.

Visit The Hermitage near Dunkeld.

Visit the Queens View.

Personally thought the V&A in Dundee was mediocre at best.

I might need a month in Perthshire!

I've just started my packing list and cannot wait.

Thank you so much for the recommendations so far. I need to not fall in love with Perthshire as we are moving to the west coast in 2 years all being well. So maybe the more mediocre sights and sounds are best.

Potfest is right up my street but doesn't fall in half term sadly.

ooh Loch Leven larder is lovely if you're going to walk round the loch. It's about 13 miles all the way round but pretty flat and good paths.

And just in case you haven't come across it travelinescotland.com is great for planning getting around Scotland by public transport.

Weirdly, it's always been accurate when I've used it, even very rurally. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but...

Oh no the West Coast is fantastic, I live here for one, plus Glasgow which I'll never stop being in love with.

@Pootle40 have you done Ben Lawers?

If you can get to Fife, both Culross and Falkland are ridiculously pretty and have National Trust for Scotland properties well worth visiting:

www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culross
www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/falkland-palace

But I don't know if they're doing only pre-booked entry because of Covid, in which case timing for a day trip might be too difficult. Ditto any museums/galleries in Edinburgh - realistically you could only manage two in a day if you have to allow for pre-booking.

V&A Dundee is disappointing - only worth a trip to see how bad it is in comparison with other museums. McManus is better and you'll learn more. Discovery museum and ship is good.

Glad other people share my opinion of V&A Dundee - such a waste of space (meaning not much art in a very large space! The McManus is far better.

Glamis - lots of nice walks on the estate and we saw loads of kingfishers last time we were there.

The Angus glens are beautiful, Glen Prosen, Glen Isla usually incredibly quiet even in high season.

Cluny House Gardens have feeders for the red squirrels. DH has some wonderful photos of the squirrels.

St Andrews isn't too far - lovely beach for a walk and there is plenty of history in the town itself. As pp said, Tentsmuir is great for a walk.

Arbroath basin if you like bird watching.

Sidlaw Hills - great for walking and very quiet - we'll often walk a full day and see no-one. Incredible views to the Tay Estuary on one side and Angus Glens and Cairngorms on the other.

Teens went rafting with Splash White Water in Aberfeldy last Sept. I thought they were very well organised.

[quote Huckleberries73]@ShowOfHands
I have done Ben Lawers. What were you wanting to know?[/quote]
@Huckleberries73 a friend has recommended Ben Vrackie instead as she thinks Lawers might be a bit much for 9yo DS. What do you think?

Thursday is our main walking day and we want a challenge but have to be mindful of the smallest one who is a pretty good walker but they're both hypermobile so I have to be realistic.

We're in Dundee today and visiting St Andrews and a couple of other places tomorrow. Pitlochry and Aberfeldy later in the week and a couple of castles/palaces and cycling booked in too.

The weather is utterly glorious. I sat and watched beavers as the sun came up, saw red squirrels running round the garden last night and have crossed paths with a pine marten today too. It's so very beautiful.

We're also going ziplining and axe throwing!

The East Neuk of Fife isn't too far. You could explore the little villages of Pittenweem, St Monans and Crail, then go 'ruby' hunting on the beach at Elie. There used to be a fantastic chocolate shop at Pittenweem, it may still be there, and you could finish off with fish and chips in Anstruther.

We're about to move to Perthshire, can't wait.

We're north of Alyth, towards Glenisla.

We've done around 24,000 steps around Dundee today. We did a treasure trail and liked Desperate Dan but loved Oor Wullie near the Mcmanus (also great), the penguins by the church and the new polar bear statue. DS was thrilled to see the Discovery (loves Shackleton) and we met an unofficial tour guide who was Dundonian through and through and told us some very tall tales from Napolean onwards. He saw us looking at a map with a very confused expression and took charge.

Dundee is a peculiar place. Some wonderful history, awful poverty and literally hundreds of bins!

Great thread! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip. I'm putting Dundee down for a visit, I'm the only one that wants to go but I'm also the one who is organising the whole thing!

I really need a list of all the statues to do my own walking trail!

So glad you're enjoying your holiday! Nothing beats Perthshire in good weather and nice to hear Oor Willie is still going strong!
There are amazing ice cream shops called Visocci's in Broughty Ferry and Kirrimuir and Janetta's in St Andrews if your going anywhere near. Well worth a visit. Oh and look out for Fisher and Donaldson's bakers in St Andrews, Cupar and Dundee, their coffee towers and fudge doughnuts are incredibly delicious!

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