Perth city centre occupies a small area and is very easy to explore on foot. It is a town with an upbeat air and has plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to relax in. Perth is distinctly Scottish, however it has a slight dash of European Style. There are many markets held throughout Perth and they include farmers markets, craft markets and continental markets. As well as shopping, Perth has a lot of cultural activities. There are three annual arts festivals held in Perthshire - one at Perth, Dunkeld and Birnam, and in the heart of the town there is Perth Theatre - stars like Ewen McGregor used to act here.
Perth is the gateway to Perthshire Scotland's leading destination for outdoor activities however it is also rich in ancient monuments - these include Roman Forts, Medieval Castles, Pictish Stones and Crannogs. Crannogs were homesteads that were built during the Iron Age by farmers using enormous wooden piles driven into the bed of the Loch. You can visit a crannog on Loch Tay, near Kenmore and in ancient times it is believed that there used to be 18 crannog dwellings in this Loch alone. At this visitor attraction you are able to get a taste of prehistoric life and have an opportunity to try ancient skills such as woodturning, wool spinning and grinding grain.
One of Perth's most visited attractions is the Scone Palace, pronounced "Scoon" Palace. This is home to the Earl of Mansfield and the ancient crowning place of Scottish Kings. It is a treasure of fine paintings, furniture and porcelain and at the foot of the grounds at Moot Hill you can visit the site of the famous Coronation "Stone of Destiny" this was the crowning site for Kenneth McAlpine and Robert the Bruce. It is easy to spend an entire morning here. As well as visiting the Palace you can walk around the grounds amongst the residential peacocks and there is also an aromatic pine garden planted in 1848 with exotic conifers, a donkey park and an adventure playground for children.
Travelling north you pass the attraction that dominates the route north - The Blair Atholl. It is the most visited private home in Scotland and has 30 rooms on public display that contains an outstanding collection of art, china and arms. It has been home to the Dukes of Atholl for the last 700 years and the 11th Duke still commands Britain's last private army - The Atholl Highlanders.
However, do not forget to visit the smaller but nonetheless unforgettable attractions in this area. At the village of Killecrankie you can visit the National Trust Centre to discover the tale of the famous Jacobite battle, or if you fancy something a little more unusual you can visit the memorial to the local men who fought in the 1745 rebellion at Meikleour. Unlike traditional memorials this is an ancient beech hedge. It stands at more than half a kilometre long and 33 metres high and it is officially recognised as the world's largest hedge.
As you continue your drive north you enter the Cairngorms Mountain Range at Aviemore - more famously known for skiing. However, in the summer you have the opportunity to meander through this land at your leisure and take in many of the lovely highland settlements. You can enjoy great walks - try the one hour gentle stroll around Loch an Eilean, mountain cycle tracks, water activities, dry ski slopes or just enjoy the friendly atmosphere that Aviemore and the Spey Valley has to offer.
This area is very easy to get around, and when you are ready to leave you simply pick up the A9 and head for Inverness.
