Perthshire and Stirlingshire are both wonderful regions with much natural beauty to boast about, but aside from their obvious draws there are also many hidden gems scattered throughout. Here, we highlight seven fantastic places, products and services that showcase why these regions are such inspirational places to visit and live.
INNERPEFFRAY LIBRARY
The spectacular Library and School at Innerpeffray were founded by David Drummond 3rd Lord Madertie in around 1680, the first free public lending library in Scotland. Madertie was a member of the Drummond Family, one of the most important landowning families of the area, friend and brother-in-law to James Graham, First Marquis of Montrose.
The original library was "partly in the west end of the chapel of Innerpeffray and partly in that little new house lately built by me at the east end of the kirk yard." Making books available to ordinary people free of charge was unprecedented. Madertie wished the library and school to benefit the community "in time coming" and leaving them with a legacy of 5000 Scottish Merks charged his successors with the responsibility.
In 1739 Robert Hay Drummond inherited the Innerpeffray estate and responsibility for the Library and School. He raised the funds and commissioned architect Charles Freebairn to design and build a new Library building immediately adjacent to the Chapel. This handsome Georgian edifice still houses the library today
By the nineteenth century the school buildings were 'dilapidated' and a new School and Schoolmasters house were completed in 1846. Pupils came from the surrounding farms and settlements and the school was still in operation until 1946.
The Borrowers' Register is perhaps the Library's most valuable book, a handwritten record all the local people to who came to choose a book, and take it home to read. Today, families from all over the world find their ancestors in the Register, often in their own handwriting, and can hold the books they borrowed.
See www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
www.facebook.com/innerpeffray
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LOCH EARN
Loch Earn Watersports Centre is a hidden gem located on the south side of the Loch. Loch Earn Watersports Centre offers a range of watersports from paddleboard & kayak hire to private waterski and wakeboard lessons behind out purpose built Mastercraft X2.
Inflatable Sessions
We run a drop in session from 12:30-14:00 daily. During this time you can get a quick 15 blast of adrenaline.
Paddle Board Hire
Keep up to date with the latest trend on the water. Our high standard SUP boards keep you well balanced on the water whilst enjoying the backdrop of Loch Earn.
Waterskiing
Our British waterski instructors will start you out on two skis..if you master that then we will have you on one in no time.
Wakeboarding
Take advantage of our specifically designed X2 and see if you can master “wake to wake”.
Kneeboarding
Kneeboarding is a great activity, which gives you a great thrill when pulled out the water. It is easy to master and slower than skiing.
Private Hire Sessions
This is a popular package that allows groups of up to 6 people to hire the boat and instructor for 1-3 hours. During this time we can instruct skiing/wakeboarding as well as have some time for some banana boating. The hour is yours…you decide!
Stag Dos & Hen Dos/Birthday Parties
Our 1.5 hour session suits for large parties above 10 people. During this time you can chose what inflatbales to use behind our powerful boat. Oh...and you can play your own music.
If you are looking for an activity for family/friends for the day, corporate activity day or even a stag/hen party day out we can guarantee to put a smile on your face. Experience the best Scotland has to offer with fun activities to suit all on the beautiful shores of Loch Earn.
M:07377447741
E: lochearnwatersportscentre@gmail.com
W: www.lochearnwatersportscentre.com
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MUGDOCK COUNTRY PARK
Located next to Strathblane and Milngavie and just 10 miles from Glasgow, Mugdock Country Park is a fantastic place to visit.
The park is gearing up for summer and the school holidays and there are plenty of Ranger led events to keep children and families entertained.
The playpark and adventure trail can provide hours of fun and there’s a great network of paths for cycling and walking. Before you set off to explore, pop into the Visitor Centre and pick up a scavenger hunt, tree trail or orienteering map and why not try and win a prize with our treasure hunt or bug hunt.
Mugdock is also a great location for a children’s birthday party, celebration bbq or even an intimate wedding and we have hire space indoor and out. Pop into our Visitor Centre or give us a call, on 0141 956 6100, and staff will be happy to discuss your requirements.
The Gift Shop in the Visitor Centre has a fabulous new range of scarves, jewellery and skincare, along with great gift ideas in pewter, olivewood and tweed. We also have lots of pocket money toys, cards, maps and outdoor games. There is also a selection of small independent business including a tearoom, coffee shop, bike hire, garden centre and arts and crafts gallery.
There is a Gaelic Celebration Day on Sunday 2nd June from 11am till 4pm, come & enjoy the music, theatre, sport & storytelling. There will also be a wide selection of food & drink tasting.
It will be fun for all the family !
Entry to the park is free, as is parking. Follow Mugdock Country Park on facebook and @mugdockpark on twitter or visit www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk to keep up on all the latest news and events and the park looks forward to welcoming you soon.
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BLAIR CASTLE
Blair Castle, situated 6 miles from Pitlochry, is a 5* visitor attraction with 30 rooms to view on a self-guided tour. Enjoy learning the history of the castle and its inhabitants through the years, take in the shop and restaurant full of Scottish produce, and then head out to the extensive grounds. Kids will enjoy finding some of the tallest trees in Scotland, the adventure playground and also exploring Hercules Gardens our 9 acre, RHS Registered, walled garden.
You can explore further afield on the estate, there are 50 miles of waymarked trials which will take you through the most breath-taking of Perthshire’s scenery. Make sure you bring the dog along with you to enjoy all the estate has to offer.
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Sitting in the heart of Blair Atholl surrounded by tranquil Perthshire countryside with spectacular views the caravan park offers a large array of accommodation. Touring pitches on hard standing or grass with a choice of fully serviced or non serviced pitches are available with XXL pitches also been introduced that can take up to 18m in length.
Camping pitches of various sizes and for the fair weather campers we have wooden Pods that can sleep up to 2 adults and 2 kids. We also have 2 and 3 bedroom caravan holiday homes and 1,2 and 3 bedroom woodland lodges. The Park is centralised around 9 acres of open green space which provides a safe place for children to play. Other facilities include: Laundrette and drying green, fully heated shower and toilet blocks, recycling facilities, games room and onsite shop stocking the essentials.
Activities available on the estate include Off Road Safaris, Segways, mountain bike hire.
blair-castle.co.uk/caravan-estate/
www.facebook.com/blaircastlecaravanpark
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ERRICHELL HOUSE
Perched on a hill above the Tay Valley, just two miles from Aberfeldy and within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, we offer the perfect Highland Getaway.
We have beautiful guest rooms within Errichel House and 3 unique holiday cottages, all enjoying spectacular views of Highland Perthshire.
Surrounded by fields and hills, farm stock and wild life, with hill walking on the door step and so much to see and do in the area from Whisky tasting at Dewars Distillery, white water rafting on the Tay or simply relaxing with a book or watching the comings and goings of the animals, there is something on offer for everyone.
Errichel and Thyme offer the best of both dining and accommodation, a unique destination for you to relax and enjoy.
Enjoy amazing dining at our field-to-fork Thyme at Errichel Restaurant. Award winning Chef-Patron Paul Newman has travelled the world and combines international flavours with the best local and seasonal produce.
Based on our Scottish Hill Farm at Errichel, we breed and raise our own Shetland Cattle, Shetland Sheep, Large Black Pigs and an assortment of hens and ducks. Grass fed, free range and matured slowly, our animals live a great life and produce a top quality product.
Verging on wild, we work our hill farm with nature and wildlife, for biodiversity and conservation of woodland and ancient meadows. We keep rare breed native livestock best suited to our environment and climate. We offer tours of the farm on request and welcome you to enjoy the land, both in the gardens and out on the hill at Errichel Farm. Who will you meet when you stay?
Thyme Restaurant and Errichel offers Private Dining Events for your special occasion. From 8 – 40 people can join you for a truly delicious meal and specially selected drinks in the peace and tranquillity of the Roundhouse Restaurant. Ideal for weddings, birthday, anniversary and family celebrations with attention to detail and the focus on you - Errichel offers you the ideal venue for your celebration.
If, like many of our guests, you don’t want your experience to end, you can take a little Thyme home with you! Paul has created a small line in award winning chutney and preserves, cured meat and salmon. Errichel Farm produce is available to order.
Restaurant Trading Hours
Summer (May - September)
6pm Tuesday - Saturday
Winter (October - April)
6pm Thursday - Saturday
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/thymetoeatscotland/
Instagram:
@errichel
@erricheloccasions
Twitter:
Website:
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THE STEAMSHIP
Loch Katrine has two cruise ships to take you on the beautiful Loch, to admire the amazing landscape which changes from season to season. There are 3 ways to cruise the Loch and more details of these sailings are in the links above.
All you have to do is decide based on your available time, which route interests you most or which ship you would like to experience. This page will tell you more about these magnificent ships and a little bit about their history.
Loch Katrine has drawn tourists for hundreds of years, ever since Sir Walter Scott’s vivid descriptions inspired a generation of Victorian tourists to visit the loch to see the landscape for themselves.
The Famous Tour No1 began as early as 1859, this was a marathon day excursion by rail and steamship from the city of Glasgow. Tourists travelled by train from Glasgow to Balloch by train, Balloch to Inversnaid by Steamer, Inversnaid to Stronachlachar by horse drawn coach, down Loch Katrine by Steamer to Trossachs Pier and coach to Callander, from where they would take the train back to Glasgow.
The steamship Sir Walter Scott is the flagship and the jewel in the Loch Katrine crown. With over 100 years of sailings to her name, this world-famous steamship has captivated visitors for almost a century. Connecting every aspect of the Loch Katrine experience, the steamship brings together the best of adventure, relaxation and history – all in one.
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