Perth

Welcome to Perth

Historic Perth, framed by two attractive parks (North & South Inch) and resting along the banks of the River Tay is one of the Highlands’ largest cities and is indeed a must see on any visit to this area of Scotland. Surrounded by some of Scotland’s most famous scenery and historic monuments, vibrant Perth is also well placed for exploring the rest of Scotland, being less than 1 hours drive from Glasgow in the west and Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, in the east. Inverness, the Highland capital, is within easy reach too.

Things to do in and around Perth

Surrounded by stunning scenery visitors to Perth can’t help being captivated by its small town charm, and thanks to its central location in Scotland, historic Perth has always been an important trading and market town, evident in its fine Georgian facades, terraces and crescents. Attractions in and around the city are plentiful from the Perth Museum & Art Gallery and Black Watch Regimental Museum of the city centre to the Caithness Glass Visitors centre on the outskirts. The city is also home to the Dewars Centre a place where you can enjoy curling, ice hockey or ice skating. Journeying away from the city will bring you to several other first class attractions including the Famous Grouse Experience. This Visit Scotland 5 star rated experience offers visitors the chance to learn more about one of Scotland’s most famous tipples, how it’s made and perhaps even sample a drop or two! Scone Palace, the seat of parliaments, the ancient crowning place of Scotland’s Kings and Queens and modern day home of Perth Racecourse, is definitely another must see in the area. Bell’s Cherrybank Gardens, home of the national heather collection with over 900 species and more besides, is another major attraction. Noah’s Ark is a specially equipped children’s soft play barn with three separate areas for different age groups.  Open all day, it’s a haven of activity where children can enjoy go-karts or even bowling in the 10 pin bowling alley while the adults relax in the café bar. The simply unique Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first and only rotating boat lift and Blair Drummond Safari Park, the only place in Scotland where you can get up close to free roaming elephants, lions and giraffe, are both perfect options for days out with the family and are within easy reach of Perth also.
With its central location historic Perth is also gateway to the highlands and is ideally placed for exploring the likes of Inverness and Aviemore, home of Scotland’s ski centre in the winter months. In terms of outdoor pursuits there is so much to offer in Perthshire from quad biking or hiking through the scenic hills to enjoying a picnic and sailing in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Of course this guide wouldn’t be complete unless we mentioned golf. This area of Scotland has more than its fair share of courses, all of different shapes and including the prestigious Gleneagles.

Evenings out in Perth
Perth offers a variety of options for a night out too; try a whole manner of restaurants ranging from the cordon bleu to old world parlour tearooms, snug and friendly pub grub to bustling bistros, enjoy a drink in one of the many bars, take a trip to Perth Concert Hall or dance the night away in one of the nightspots.

Shopping in Perth
In Perth’s centre the pedestrianised High Street and St John’s Shopping Centre offers all the major brands you would expect and a few you may not. In the surrounding attractive streets you’ll find a wide variety of specialist retailers and a number of markets going on throughout the year including the Perth Farmers Market. Stirling is a good choice for a spot of retail therapy too with the recently extended Thistle Shopping Centre and the Sterling Mills Designer Outlet Village.

For hotels in Perth click here