Getting to Perthshire and around.

Perthshire sits in the centre of Scotland, so getting there is straightforward. By car, the A9 runs north–south through the region, linking Perth with Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, while smaller scenic roads connect Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Rannoch and Glen Lyon. Trains on the Highland Main Line stop at Dunkeld & Birnam, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl with direct services from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Long-distance coaches serve Perth, Pitlochry and Aviemore, with local buses radiating into the glens. If you are flying, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are roughly 90 minutes by road in good conditions.

A long weekend gives you time for a cathedral stroll in Dunkeld, a forest walk at The Hermitage, one distillery visit and a lochside drive. Four to five days adds Aberfeldy and Kenmore, with boat trips or paddleboarding on Loch Tay and hill walks above the trees. With a full week you can range farther into Glen Lyon and Rannoch, take a day at Blair Castle and its gardens, and still leave space for slow mornings and unhurried lunches.

Trees and water define the landscape here. Ancient oaks and towering Douglas firs fringe fast rivers and waterfall gorges, while high moors open to horizons of lochs and rounded peaks. Culturally, this is castle country and craft country: Blair Castle, Scone Palace and Dunkeld Cathedral anchor the history, while small makers, delis and smokehouses keep the food scene local and characterful. Outdoor life runs through everything, from salmon fishing on the Tay to miles of waymarked forest trails.

In woodland, look for the quick flash of a red squirrel, deer at the edge of light in early morning, and woodpeckers tapping in birch stands. Around Loch of the Lowes and other reserves you may spot ospreys in season, plus herons and diving ducks. Higher up, red deer roam the heather slopes, especially visible in autumn during the rut. Night walkers sometimes hear tawny owls and see bats flicker along tree lines. As always, observe from a distance and keep dogs close where wildlife is present.

Expect narrow, winding roads and occasional single-track sections with passing places. Pull left into a passing place to let oncoming traffic through, and use mirrors to allow faster vehicles to overtake. Avoid stopping on brows and blind bends. Watch for deer at dawn and dusk, and for pheasants on sunny verges. In winter, shaded lanes can hold ice even after sunny days, so brake and steer gently. Fuel up before longer forays into Glen Lyon, Rannoch or Glen Quaich and set off with time to spare so you can stop for views rather than rush them.

You will find petrol and diesel in all the main towns, including Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Perth. Smaller settlements may not have fuel, so plan ahead for upland routes. Public EV charging is available in larger towns and at many visitor car parks, with a growing network across the A9 corridor. Accommodation with on-site charging removes most of the stress; otherwise, check locations in advance and build a short charging stop into your day.