Tours of Scottish Highlands and Central Scotland
Highlands – Central
Perthshire – one of the largest of Scotland’s counties , my home county, the city of Perth was one of the ancient capitals of Scotland. Perth is also known as “the Gateway to the Highlands” In Perth St John’s Church and Perth Museum and Art Gallery are some of the many places to visit, good shopping in the city centre, lovely walks along the banks of the River Tay, Scotland’s longest river.
Before arriving in Perth we can visit Elcho Castle on the south bank of the River Tay, good example of 16th century fortified castle.
Scone Palace is situated on the north bank of the River Tay, home of the Earls of Mansfield, the ancient site of Moot Hill where the Kings of Scotland were crowned.
We can drive the short distance from Perth to Glamis Castle the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, also featured in Shakespeare’s MacBeth.
Alternatively we can drive to Dunkeld to visit the ancient ruined cathedral and take a walk along the Hermitage, then drive to Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl, the only landowner in Europe to have a Private Army granted by Queen Victoria.
Dunkeld is a ideal as a base for a few days to discover other areas of Perthshire, within driving distance is Aberfeldy, Loch Tay, Glen Lyon, Fortingall it is said that Pontious Pilate was born here. The town of Crieff is where the Famous Grouse visitor centre is situated in Glenturret Distillery, Drummond Castle Gardens are close by. The north Perthshire town of Piltochry has a wonderful theatre, beautifully situated on the banks of the River Tummel, a visit to the Scottish Plant Collectors’ Garden is a worthwhile visit. We can drive to the Queens View over Loch Tummel and onwards to Loch Rannoch and Rannoch Station, remote area of Perthshire.
There are many hidden gems in Perthshire:
Innerpeffray Library and Chapel
Tullibardine Chapel
Dupplin Cross in St serf’s Church in Dunning
Northern Highands & Islands
Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and an ideal base for visiting Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Fort George. Driving over to” the Black Isle “ visiting the small villages of this charming rich fertile area, exploring the village of Cromarty.
Other areas to visit – Western Isles, Orkney & Shetland, North West Highlands, Argyll, Islands of Mull, Iona, Islay, Arran, Gigha.