Perth

'Perth, The best large town - Britain in Bloom Winner 1998' On the banks of the silvery River Tay, in the very heart of Scotland, you'll find yourself in the Fair City of Perth; your perfect centre and winner of the 1998 large town Britain in Bloom award. Welcome to the town that inspired Sir Walter Scott to pen 'The Fair Maid of Perth' which in turn inspired Bizet's opera. Once Scotland's Capital City, you will find that Perth enjoys an air of elegant prosperity and retains the genuine atmosphere of a true county town with a rich history and tradition of welcoming visitors.

A climb or drive through the wooded slopes of Kinnoull Hill is an ideal introduction to Perth. Enjoy the panoramic views to the north and west
over the Perthshire Highlands, south to the rolling landscapes of Fife and east along the flat soft fruit fields of the Carse of Gowrie. Otherwise explore Perth on foot; perhaps you could follow the Old Perth Trail.

Perth has been a market town for hundreds of years. Today, long established family businesses, specialist retailers and familiar chain stores sit alongside one another on the traffic-free High Street and in St Johns Shopping Centre.

Aside from wonderful shopping, history lovers will find that Perth offers unsurpassed delights. Not to be missed is Scone Palace (pronounced Scoon) original home of Scotland's Stone of Destiny where 42 Kings of Scots were crowned. Enjoy this marvellous site, the Palace and its superb collections for yourself.

Other wonderful houses here for you to visit include Elcho Castle, Huntingtower Castle, Megginch Castle at the Carse of Gowrie and last, but not least, Balhousie Castle, - home to the Black Watch Museum.

Colourful floral displays and wonderful lush green parklands enhance Perth. These parklands survive today as the North and South Inches; superb public parks. While here, also enjoy the kaleidoscope of colours at Perth's many gardens including Branklyn Gardens and Cherrybank Gardens (which incorporates National Heather collections).

The close proximity of such beautiful countryside has been influential in gaining Perth its reputation as a sporting centre. Famous for its salmon fishing, the town was also an early home of golf; today you will find four 18-hole courses to choose from. You are spoiled for choice here, with the acclaimed Leisure Pool and Dewar's Centre (Ice Rink and Indoor Bowling). Football fans are not forgotten and might want to sing in the stands at one of Scotland's finest football stadiums - St Johnstone F.C's McDiarmid Park. The thrills and spills of the popular National Hunt Racecourse at Scone also make for a unique day out.

Experience the heritage of Perth in the Victorian Lower City Mills where a massive working waterwheel and working miller continue to mill Scotland's staple - oatmeal. Demonstrations and multi-language interpretative storyboards bring history to life. Here too you will find the Perthshire Shop. Reminders of medieval times are plentiful and in the city centre you will find the striking St John's Kirk. Around St John's Kirk and Perth City Hall is the perfect place to pause and soak up the atmosphere in one of the many restaurants and coffee shops.

Despite Perth's rich heritage you will find it a vibrant city with so much more waiting to be discovered in its immediate vacinity.

Before leaving this wonderful area, take a day out at Gask, west of Perth. Here you will find ancient roman remains - or try Abernethy; home to an 11th century Round Tower. Glenalmond is especially picturesque in Spring and Autumn while nearby Pitcairngreen is a pretty hamlet with an English-style village green.

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me at;

sandystevenson@thefreesite.com