There are so many activities to do in Perthshire it is impossible to list them all here. Here are some more, within easy reach of Ridgeway Bed and Breakfast accommodation, Blairgowrie.
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A visit to Ridgeway Bed and Breakfast will enable you to browse the comprehensive details of 'things to do in Perthshire'. Blairgowrie is situated centrally in Perthshire and offers easy access to all of Perthshire and much of central Scotland beyond.
(Approximate distance from Ridgeway shown in brackets)
Eaglesgate Retail Village (37 miles) is the perfect retail destination for all the family, where you will find Baxters, Tullibardine Distillery, Tiso, Leading Labels and Pavers Shoes www.eaglesgate.co.uk
Bield Barn at Blackruthven, Tibbermore, PH1 1PY (23 miles). A retreat centre which has an interest in promoting the visual arts. Visitors can tour the walled garden and grounds.
Stuart and Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, Crieff (30 miles) is the new home of the famous Caithness Glass paperweights, where you can watch the glass being blown in the factory and buy limited edition paperweights in the new showroom. Admission to the factory tour is free of charge www.crieff.co.uk
Also available at the centre is the Highland Drover Exhibition (free entry) where you can learn about the life and times of Scotland's 18th century cattle drovers who made Crieff the crossroads of Scotland. For further information, please visit www.crieff.co.uk
On the other side of the road are the Stuart and Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and the Nutcracker Christmas Shop (www.nutcrackerchristmasshop.co.uk)
Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre (35 miles) is where one is able to handle chicks and rabbits and see eggs incubating/hatching. There are also waterfowl, ornamental and game birds and exotic animals.
The Scottish Crannog Centre at Kenmore (35 miles) shows all the comforts of home circa 500 BC - artefacts, exhibition, guided tours and gift shop. This type of dwelling predates recorded history and was built on water to protect against attack by other tribes and wild animals - or possibly to show one-upmanship by the wealthy. www.crannog.co.uk
Highland Safaris, based near Aberfeldy (32 miles) offers Land Rover safaris, a visitor and trail centre with miles of beautiful woodland walks and biking trails to explore, a mountain bike skills loop to try, a gem panning centre, a red deer park, and the Safari Lodge Cafe and Gift Shop. www.highlandsafaris.net
Nearby Kirriemuir (15 miles) is the birthplace of J. M. Barrie (playwright and author of Peter Pan), Sir Hector Munro (the mountaineer after whom 'Munros' are named) and Sir Charles Lyell (geologist). An added attraction in Kirriemuir is the Camera Obscura.
The lovely Fife coast is not far (maximum 1½ hours' drive) where one can visit the East Neuk - small picturesque, old fishing villages as well as the famous golfing venue of St. Andrews.
Neighbouring Angus also offers rocky cliffs and sandy beaches, together with the famous Angus glens (Clova, Prosen, Doll, etc.) - all within easy reach (maximum 1½ hours' drive). SPLASH whitewater rafting, Aberfeldy (25 miles).
Stewart Tower, Stanley, PH1 4PJ (8 miles) is a special place for real dairy ice cream. The Holstein cows graze the green pastures of the farm producing high quality milk which is used to create a range of award winning Italian gelato ice creams produced on the farm all year round. Cafe serving lunch or coffee. www.stewart-tower.co.uk
Active Kid Toys and Adventure Park, Burnside, Stanley, PH1 4QB (10 miles) is a large outside play area for children of all ages. Centred around a giant play fort there is a fantastic range of activity toys and attractions plus farm animals and a cafe. Open March to December. www.activekidadventurepark.co.uk
Stanley Mills, Stanley, PH1 4QE (12 miles) is an outstanding 18th century water mill complex which is an important part of Perthshire's industrial heritage and offers an entertaining and hi-tech interactive visitor experience. Learn how the power of the River Tay helped turn raw cotton into products sold around the world. A great family day out. Check on-line for opening times. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Noah's Ark Family Entertainment Centre, Perth (16 miles) is a centre offering exciting activities for kids, youths and adults of all ages - from ten pin bowling and karting to kids' soft play and ceramics. This has recently changed ownership and there are plans for improvements. www.noahs-ark.co.uk
Noah's Ark Golf Centre (16 miles) in the same grounds but under different ownership, includes a practise range and a miniature golf course.
Aberfeldy watermill, bookshop and gallery (25 miles).
Meikleour Beech Hedge (4 miles) is an incredible living wall of beech trees 30 metres high and 530 metres long, recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest hedge in the world.
There are many castles, museums, gardens and places of historic interest to visit in the immediate vicinity as well as Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Discovery point (18 miles) in Dundee is the final berth of the sailing ship ' Discovery' used by 'Captain Scott of the Antarctic'.
Fishing is readily available in the area.
There are water sports centres at Loch Tay and Loch Earn and opportunities for gorge walking, mountain biking, off-road driving, horse riding, paintball and canoeing.
Queen's View. (30 miles) Famous viewpoint looking across Loch Tummel to Schiehallion. The visitor centre tells the fascinating story of people and forests in Highland Perthshire. Woodland walks in nearby Allean Forest.
House of Bruar (35 miles) A quality visitor centre and shop..
Glencoe - the site of the massacre in 1692 by the Campbells of the Macdonalds - is a comfortable day's excursion.
Pictavia, just outside Brechin in Angus, is an award-winning visitor centre that tells the story of Scotland's Pictish tribes, a mysterious warrior people who roamed the area nearly 2,000 years ago. www.pictavia.org.uk
Genealogy - All over the world are descendants of the Scots and as a result, many visitors come to trace their ancestry. For those whose interests lie in the Perthshire area there are many genealogical sources of information, such as the Perth Archives and the Tay Valley Family History Society.
During July Blairgowrie will be one of the towns being visited by the Perthshire Berry Festival. This event brings cooking demonstrations, recipe ideas and delicious tasters to everyone.
Glenalmond Tweed Company Ltd. - A unique collection of Scottish Tweed clothes, hats caps, gifts accessories, cushions and the original Harris Tweed waterproof bags and luggage. For more information and to view their on-line catalogue visit www.glenalmond.com Prospective visitors should phone ahead if making a specific journey - 01738 880322.
The Library at Innerpeffray was Scotland's first free public lending library - a hidden gem situated on the B8062 just a ten minute drive from Crieff - founded by David Drummond, third Lord Madertie, in 1680 when he made 400 of is family books available to the public. Then sited in the loft of the adjacent St Mary's Chapel, burial place of the Drummond family, Madertie states in a will written in 1680 that the library and school, founded at the same time, were "for the improvement and education of the population, particularly the young students." For further information, please visit www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
The Ceramic Experience, Crieff - An award winning visitor attraction and ceramic painting studio on the outskirts of Crieff at Bennybeg (on A822). For further information, visit www.theceramicexperience.co.uk or phone 01764 655788.
Highland Fling Bungee - www.bungeejumpscotland.co.uk - is the first static bridge bungee jump to be built in the UK.
Geocaching Find out about this international pastime at www.geocaching.com .
Useful links
www.perthshire.co.uk/Active Perthshire
www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk