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Inverpeffrray Library

This fascinating collection of books and archive material, in an 18th century building, is of great significance as a unique fragment of Scotland's social and intellectual history.

Founded by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie, by 1680, when he made some of his family books available to the public. Maderite's will of 1680 stated that the Library, and school founded at the same time, were "for the improvement and education of the population particularly the young students."

The present library house was built for Robert Hay Drummond, who was at the time Archbishop of York, and was completed in 1762. On his death his books were donated to the Library. During the late 18th and 19th centuries the library flourished and benefited from many more donations. With the advent of public libraries in the early 20th century, the Library's popularity waned, borrowings fell and in 1968, it ceased lending.

Drummond Castle Gardens

A fine nineteenth century garden with famed multiplex sundial, carved by Charles I's master mason, in the 1630s. This was made when there was great interest in astronomy and when sundials were the only accurate way of telling the time. The castle is set on a ridge, and terraces step down the hill to the south and a large parterre takes the form of Scotland's flag, the St Andrew's cross, centred on the aforementioned sundial. The design was by Lewis Kennedy, though the terracing may have been influenced by Charles Barry. Today, the planting is simpler though still impressive, and the garden retains the atmosphere of the grander days with the peacocks continuing to lend an aristocratic air to the setting.

Comrie Fortnight

A fun filled programme over a fortnight in late July to suit all ages. For instance the first day; Opening Ceremony, Street Market, Duck Race, Pipe and Drum Band and a Fiddlers Rally. Other Events over the two week period could include Garden Trail, Pram Derby, Golf Competition, Children Storytelling, Quiz Night, Hill Walk, Angling Competition, Children's Pet Show, Stovie Barn Dance, Paint Balling, Mystery Coach Tour, Drama Night, Varied Music Nights, and Children's Treasure Hunt

Drover Tryst

Crieff and Strathearn Drovers' Tryst celebrates the life, work and recreation of the people who made Crieff the crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s. This is an innovative festival without the inconvenience of 30,000 cattle!
Building on its previous success and popularity the Tryst is offering an ever increasing range of activities for both adults and children. Choose from convivial ceilidhs and whisky tasting to abseiling, mountain biking and treasure hunts, and of course the extensive walking programme. Bag a local Munro or take a gentle ramble through the glens and feast your eyes on the most spectacular autumn colours.
A new Drovers' Tryst challenge is the 'Hairy Coo', a fun, race-based mountain bike challenge for both juniors and adults.

Big Tree Country

Among its many other attractions, Perthshire has some of the most remarkable trees and woodlands anywhere in Europe. A variety of forests, woods and country gardens offer an unchallenged assortment of green spaces amongst which you'll discover Europe's oldest tree, the world's highest hedge, Britain's tallest tree, and the sole survivor from Shakespeare's 'Birnam Wood'.

Exploring the Big Tree Country in summer and enjoy the lush green countryside, or sample the special attractions of our woodlands in spring, autumn, or winter. Try Lady Mary's Walk in Crieff, with its mature stands of oak, beech and lime. Or you could lose yourself in midsummer greenery at Weem Wood by Aberfeldy. Winter brings out the deep green of the conifers, whilst spring brings a fast-changing, hard to capture purple to the swelling buds of the birches of the Birks of Aberfeldy. The autumn hues at the bottom of Glen Lyon are unrivalled, and then because you are in Scotland there is always the magnificence of the next day or season.

We offer an all-season spectacle that can be explored. Pick from Forest tracks (Faskally Forest, Weem Wood, Craigvinean) Gorge rambles (Falls of Bruar, Birks of Aberfeldy, Den of Alyth) Riverside trails (the Hermitage, Killiecrankie, Linn of Tummel) Hill hikes (Allean Forest, Rannoch Forest, Drummond Hill).

For forest cycle routes at Allean, Craigvinean, Drummond Hill and Blair Atholl, while Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park provides bridle paths for horse riders.

Stirling Castle

One of Scotland's grandest castles renowned for its imposing position and impressive architecture, the Castle commands the countryside for many miles around.

Near some of the most important battlefields of Scotland's past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace's victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.

The Stewart kings James IV, V and VI all left behind a great architectural legacy. Of interest are the Gatehouse, Great Hall, the splendid exterior of the Renaissance Royal Palace, Chapel Royal where two completed tapestries from The Hunt of the Unicorn series are on display, the medieval Great Kitchens and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum. Castle Exhibition in the Queen Anne casemates offers a fascinating insight into the Stewart monarchy and their significant contribution to Stirling Castle.

Scone Palace

Scone is a place that breathes history and now in the 21st century, it is the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Fifteen hundred years ago, it was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and centre of the Celtic church. Since it has been the seat of parliaments, the crowning place of Kings, housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

The Palace overlooks the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast. The Grampian Mountains form a distant backdrop. Two thousand years ago, the Romans camped here, at the very limit of their empire. They never defeated the warlike Picts, who later came to rule Scone, but the followers of St Columba had more success. By the early 7th century, a group of early Christians, the Culdees or servants of God, had established themselves here.

The present Earl and Countess of Mansfield bid you welcome and express the wish that you will enjoy this glimpse of their family home, and hope that one day soon you will visit in person.

Blair Castle

There is so much to do and enjoy at Blair Castle that many visitors return again and again always discovering something new. This is one of my favourites in Scotland. In the grounds, Diana's Grove is a fine planting of tall trees from 1737, with the ruins of St Bride's Kirk beyond. Hercules Garden designed in the mid 18th Century as a walled garden has been restored and cover some nine acres.

Inside the castle you are greeted with a spectacular display of arms and amour in the entrance hall. The extensive family collections include pictures, furniture, porcelain Masonic regalia and lots of family mementos. The Atholl Highlander Room commemorates Europe's only remaining private army, and each May they assemble for a full parade for the Colonel in Chief, the Duke of Atholl.

Falls of Dochart, Killin

The River Dochart crosses a ridge of hard rock to form the famed and spectacular Falls. The celtic saint 'St Fillan' is said to have been the keeper of some the famous 'healing stones' which are now kept in the Breadalbane Folklore Centre located in the old mill nearby. There is also an exhibition relating to the famous Clan MacNab who once owned these lands and whose burial ground is on the island of 'Innis Buidhe' in the middle of the Dochart.

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