Perth & Kinross

Scotland

Blair Castle

Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH18 5TL
Tel: 01796 481207    Fax: 01796 481487
E-mail: office@blair-castle.co.uk

Perthshire's Five Star historic home and one of the Great Houses of Scotland. The most visited private home in Scotland and famous for its grounds and gardens. The ancient seat of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl and Home to the Atholl Highlanders, the last remaining private army in Europe. Blair Castle, Perthshire's 5 Star Historic home is situated just a few miles off the main A9, Perth-Inverness road. The Castle stands proud against the magnificent backdrop of the Perthshire Highlands. With a collection that fills over 30 rooms, there are few historic houses in Britain that can claim to have a more comprehensive collection of family treasures than Blair Castle. The collection that is exhibited portrays life over 700 years. After a tour of the Castle you can enjoy the variety and tranquillity of the Grounds and Gardens.

Castle Menzies

Weem, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2JD
Tel: 01887 820982

A fine example of 16th Century fortified tower house showing the subsequent transition to later mansion house. Architecturally fascinating. Some family portraits and some furniture together with a clan museum.

Elcho Castle

Rhynd, Perth, PH2 8QQ
Tel: 01738 639998
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Idyllically set on the banks of the River Tay. A handsome and complete fortified mansion of 16th century date, with three projecting towers. The original wrought-iron grilles to protect the windows are still in place.

Huntingtower Castle

Huntingtower, Perth, PH1 3JR
Tel: 01738 627231
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Two fine and complete towers, built in the 15th and 16th centuries and joined by a range in the 17th century. There is a fine painted ceiling in the hall of the eastern tower. The splendid painted ceilings are especially noteworthy in this castle, once owned by the Ruthven family who held James VI captive here for 10 months.

Lochleven Castle

Loch Leven, By Kinross, KY13 7AR
Tel: 07778 040483
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

A late 14th or early 15th-century tower on one side of an irregular courtyard. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here in 1567 but escaped the following year.

Meigle Sculptured Stones

Meigle Museum, Dundee Road, Meigle, Perthshire, PH12 8SB
Tel: 01828 640612
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

A magnificent collection of 26 sculptured monuments, one of the most important site-specific assemblages of early medieval sculpture in Western Europe.

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Dunkeld Cathedral

Fraser Penny, The Manse, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0AW
Tel: 01350 727249
E-mail: minister@dunkeldcathedral.org.uk
Web: www.dunkeldcathedral.org.uk

Dunkeld Cathedral has been around for over 1400 years, originally dating back to when Celtic monks set up a base for mission.  It is still used for worship today, so please check with the church for suitable visiting times.

St. Bean’s Church

Fowlis Wester, east of Crieff, Perth and Kinross (Off A85)

Restored 13th century church with leper’s squint a specially designed window for lepers to watch the service.

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Bolfracks Garden

Bolfracks, By Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2EX
Tel: 01887 820344
E-mail: info@bolfracks.fsnet.co.uk

A historic walled garden of approximately four acres with splendid views north overlooking the Tay Valley. Bolfrack's has been described as a plantsman's garden with many interesting features from early spring though to late autumn. Most of the trees and many of the shrubs are labelled, and a limited number of the plants to be found in the garden are offered for sale. The walled garden is an idyllic spot with herbaceous borders, the main Rose Garden and many sheltered corners. In the less formal wooded garden, known as the Burn Garden, visitors will find a typical spring woodland with dwarf rhododendrons, deciduous azaleas, lysichiton, meconopsis and many varieties of moisture loving primulas. Wild areas of bluebells and old daffodils carpet the woodland floor. The Burial Ground has a wide range of specimen trees. Also look out for ten gnomes dotted around the garden! These date from the 18th century and are of German origin.

Cherrybank Gardens

Cherrybank, Perth, PH2 0PF
Tel: 01738 472800
E-mail: info@scotlandsgarden.org

HOME TO BELL'S NATIONAL HEATHER COLLECTION. Cherrybank Gardens, the UK's largest collection of heathers, is designed to provide a rich mix of colour throughout the year to delight both horticulturists and casual admirers. There are now over 900 carefully nurtured varieties from all over the heather growing world and the Centre enjoys an important conservationist role as well as being a unique showcase for visitors incorporating a Children's play area, putting green and aviary. Head for the hills by all means, but real appreciation of the beauty of heather starts at Cherrybank, just 5 minutes from the town centre of Perth.

Cluny House Gardens

Cluny House, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2JT
Tel: 01887 820795

Exciting wild woodland Garden growing Himalayan and North American plants. Delightful in spring and glorious in autumn. A treasure not to be missed.

Dirnanean Garden

Dirnanean Estate, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PD
Tel: 01250 881400    Fax: 01250 881444
E-mail: dfg@dirnanean.fsnet.co.uk

Dirnanean is a 1.5 hectare garden and 7 hectares of policies located 1,000 feet above sea level. The surrounding hill scenery is magnificent and the altitude makes gardening challenging. Visitors can enjoy attractive walks through a traditional arrangement of lawn and shrubbery where horticultural highlights include some interesting old trees and stunning rhododendrons. The conservatory by the house is stuffed with plants. Five peacocks and one peahen can usually be seen wandering around the policies or perching in the trees. Red, fallow and roe deer, red squirrels and even a pine marten can sometimes be spotted.

Drummond Castle Gardens

Estate Office Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HZ
Tel: 01764 681257    Fax: 01764 681550

12 acres of formal Italianate gardens. Large Victorian parterre with terraces, fountains, topiary and heraldry.

The Hermitage

The Ell House, The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN
Tel: 01738 631296    Fax: 01738 643143

Conifer and deciduous wooded gorge through which the River Braan plunges. Picturesque folly "Ossian's Hall" was built in 1758.

Scottish Plant Hunters' Garden

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port na Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5DR
Tel: 01796 484626    Fax: 01796 484616
E-mail: boxoffice@pitlochry.org.uk

2004 sees our new garden continue to grow, mature and host exciting outdoor events such as music, theatre, guided tours and Wild Specimens, our new, dramatised living history of the garden. Through a combination of landscape, design, visual art and interpretation, the Scottish Plant Collectors’ Garden brings to life some of the stories and adventures associated with the intrepid plant hunters and their discoveries since the 18th century. The Scottish Plant Collectors’ Garden is an ideal way for you to experience botanical history. We strongly recommend a guided tour in order to gain a full insight into the amazing feats achieved, and adventures encountered by Scottish collectors.