Perthshire: The Gateway to Adventure

I've emerged from our recent collective dormancy feeling some urgency around getting into the outdoors – and I can’t be the only one. With life threatening to return to normal it's feeling harder and harder to find any window to escape from the day to day, especially because it seems like I'd have to set half a week aside to get up to the Highlands for it. But therein lies my mistake – all of the beauty and adventure we associate with Up North exists in Perthshire, little over an hour from the Central Belt.

Perthshire's peaks and views

Perthshire’s location means it effectively bridges the plains of the Lowlands and the peaks of the Highlands. There are paths for walkers of every ability, and stunning views to reward yourself with even if the journey to the top wasn’t particularly onerous – I’d draw special attention to The Hermitage and Schiehallion (Fairy Hill of the Caledonians!) if you’re after a challenge. My own Perthshire adventure starts with a walk up Kinnoull Hill, which is just a gentle upwards stroll if you’re starting from the carpark, but opens up to a panoramic view of Perthshire when you reach the top. It’s also embellished with the ruins of an 18th century castle and a mysterious stone table, which my dad once told me was the same table C.S. Lewis’ Aslan was sacrificed on. Our kayak guide Sam later told me that his dad said a hermit wizard lived in the castle. In short, this is a beautiful spot that is also favourable for dads on the wind-up. 

I spend the day with Chris Wain of Unique Adventure Tours Scotland, who offers his services as a tour guide and adventure-planner, with a focus on sustainable tourism. He designs days out and weekends away in Perthshire that can be tailored to the group’s experience, capabilities, and goals – and crucially he understands that confidence can be a huge factor in people’s reluctance to engage with the outdoors. With this in mind, he makes it his business to put people at ease, and can work in whatever gear best suits the needs of the expedition (this ranges from gentle encouragement on a leisurely hill walk, to gleefully throwing himself into a bit of white water rafting). It also helps that he is someone you wouldn’t blink at spending a day or two with at a time – he‘s perfectly at ease making conversation with anyone who should cross his path (literally, he stops to chat to everyone we bump into, including the dogs).

Perthshire: The Outdoor Playground

Perthshire is essentially a living, breathing, choose-your-own-adventure story – Unique Adventure Tours Scotland can set you up with everything from paddle boarding to canyoning, or if you’re coming straight into Perth itself you can make a beeline for the Willowgate Activity Centre, on the banks of the River Tay. We form a base camp there and set off on a kayak city river tour – misplaced arrogance means I’ve failed to bring a dry change of clothes with me, so I’d urge you to learn from my mistakes. I spend the rest of the day at their archery range (I’ve pretty much nailed the targets, so next time I’m coming back for their combat archery). You’re in safe hands at Willowgate – their lovely staff know their stuff and are serious about getting it right (a number of them studied outdoor education at Perth College), and they'll fit your activities in with the tides where possible.

Perthshire also lends itself naturally to cycling – the rolling hills are an ideal terrain to traverse on mountain bike, and there are cycling hubs all across the county that you can use as a jumping off point. Perth & Kinross Council have compiled a comprehensive list of the various trails waiting for you – and have included a selection of places to hire bikes, as well as get repairs done for those pushing their vehicles to the extreme. Love pedalling, love Perth. 

Food, Drink & Accommodation in Perth

We enjoy a fantastic curry at Tabla in Perth, on the first Monday night they reopen after the pandemic. They even manage to convert me to okra, with a crispy battered serving, and as I finish I am already mentally booking a space on their Edinburgh-based cookery school. Other Perth-based highlights include pizza from Cardo, or if it’s lunchtime, the bagels at 269 Vegan rival any Central Belt offering (get the Reuben!!). And of course there’s no shortage of spots for a drink – from live music at The Twa Tams to golf and F1 simulation at The Bunker.

The beautiful and unusual accommodation options have me feeling gutted I didn’t take the whole weekend in Perthshire while I had the chance. The glamping at Comrie Croft and Alexander House in Auchterarder are particularly appealing, but my preferred choice for my next trip will be to stay in one of several beautifully renovated farm structures at Guardswell Farm.

Travel to Perth

Of course, all of the above is only a short journey away – you can get the train as far as Pitlochry with ease from the central belt, or reach the city itself from Edinburgh or Dundee on the ever-luxurious electric Ember bus. 

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For more information and get ideas for planning your trip, visit perthcity.co.uk/blog/category/be-inspired 

Photos by Laurie Presswood