Advertisement feature
With endless expanses of lush rainforest, serene glens, majestic waterfalls, and beautiful moors, it’s easy to see why Perthshire is one of the UK’s most family-friendly destinations. Here, you can enjoy a fun-filled holiday with your little ones, from exploring verdant woodlands to taking up adrenaline-fuelled activities.
Here’s our guide to the best things to do with kids in Perthshire.
- Visit the Castles
Perthshire is home to various castles and exploring some of these castles is a popular activity for families with kids. From the Blair Castle to the Burleigh Castle ruins, you will find some of the best ones near Pitlochry and Kinross.
The Blair Castle is the ancestral home of Clan Murray and was the seat of their chief, the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. It’s open until winter, and you can easily spend half of the day here exploring the massive castle grounds, including the Diana’s Grove. Hike through the sculpture trail and end the day enjoying a delicious meal at its cafe. Meanwhile, the Burleigh Castle is a roofless castle ruin built around the 15th to the 16th centuries and is located just outside Milnathort, about 1.5 miles north of Kinross. As you explore the ruins, you’ll find a three-storey tower house in its middle.
Another castle you shouldn’t miss in Perthshire is the Drummond Castle, famous for its historic gardens, said to be the best example of a formal terraced garden in Scotland. It has a tower house and a 17th-century mansion built during the Victorian era. It’s also worth checking out The Black Watch Castle and Huntingtower Castle, if castles be your activity of choice.
- Play Sports
Perthshire is a popular place for sports, from horse racing to fishing and golf. It’s home to multi-activity centres and has vast open spaces where your active kids can indulge in exciting outdoor adventures. Plus, Perthshire has hosted all kinds of sporting events, especially golf.
Perthshire is home to several excellent golf courses, and most of them are set in an area surrounded by stunning scenery. If you are into golfing and want to introduce your kids to this sport, take them to the Gleneagles, a luxury 5-star golf and spa resort. It has three championship courses, and one of these, the PGA Centenary, was the venue of the 2014 Ryder Cup. Golfing at Gleneagles is available to visitors all year round, and they do not require a handicap certificate to play at their championship golf courses. Check out Auchterader House for large and luxury accommodation near the St Andrews Open.
Besides golf, you’ll find plenty of other fun activities in Perthshire to enjoy with your adventurous kids. You can take them to tree top adventures, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and more! Your kids can take up various fun-filled activities at the Active Kids Adventure Park, from trampolines, go-karting, crazy golf, and interactions with farm animals!
- Go on a Walk
Perthshire has tons of easy walking routes if you want to take your kids on a scenic hike. Walking through these trails with your kids is an excellent way to explore this beautiful place while getting in touch with nature.
The Kinnoull Hill is a walking route starting from the city centre and will take you to an escarpment that overlooks the stunning views of Loch Tay. It’s a 6.5 km long trail that could take up to three hours to walk with your kids. But it’s worth noting that this trail involves some uphill walking, so plan your hike well. You should walk through the Loch Leven Heritage Trail if your kids love birdwatching. It’s a levelled route suitable for younger kids, and the trail will take you around the loch. You can choose to walk the entire 21-km path or just a portion of it. Either way, you are guaranteed to enjoy stunning views along the way and have the opportunity to spot different birds.
Another easy hiking trail for families is called the “Lady Mary’s Walk”, a 9-km walking trail that begins at a distillery called the Famous Grouse Experience. It winds its way towards River Earn, with stunning views of the surrounding scenery and the lush woodlands.
- Visit a Museum
If you and your kids are interested in learning a bit of history about Perthshire, you should visit some museums and galleries. You will find several museums in Perth suitable for kids of all ages. These are the perfect places to see if your little ones don’t feel like venturing into the outdoors.
The Perth Museum and Art Gallery should be the first on your list. It’s one of the world’s oldest museums, housed in a Palladian style building similar to the Pantheon in Rome. Established in 1784, the museum features an incredible collection of more than 500,000 objects, and its art galleries display paintings and works of art by some of Scotland’s most famous artists. Many of these art pieces date back to the 16th century.
If you’re into sculptures, head to the Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum. The museum is housed in a former Meigle schoolhouse building, and it holds some of the most important collections of Western Europe’s early medieval sculptures. Located next to the graveyard where most of the stones have been excavated, this sculpture museum contains a collection of Pictish carved stones from the late 8th to 10th centuries.
- Take Part in Outdoor Activities
Famous for its stunning landscape scenery, Perthshire offers tons of exciting outdoor activities to entertain adults and kids. From white water rafting to highland safaris, these outdoor activities are perfect for active families.
To experience thrilling white-water rafting, head to Splash White Water Rafting in Aberfeldy. It’s the perfect activity to enjoy with your adventurous teens. There are professional guides and equipment rentals available for your safety.
Another fun activity to experience in Perthshire is highland safari, where you’ll ride a Land Rover or a bike. These safari trips will take you deep into the wild to discover the unspoiled beauty of the stunning mountains and forests. During your adventure, you’ll also have a chance to spot interesting wildlife. You can also combine your safari trip with a picnic lunch or a scenic hike.
