Perthshire - Crieff and environs

[Barney]

I've just booked a week's break at the Crieff Hydro at the end of June and was wondering if anyone knew the area well enough to recommend (a) promising local areas photogrpahically and (b) any family days out with something to engage a 3 1/2 year old?

I've already pencilled in a few family history trips, my dad was born in Crieff and I'll be going to the Museum of the Blackwatch as my grandmother was born in Perth barracks but I'm open to other suggestions.

[Bawbee]

The aforementioned Glenturret Distillery and the waterfall at Buchanty.

I think that Zou was in and around Crieff recently.

...my dad was born in Crieff and I'll be going to the Museum of the Blackwatch as my grandmother was born in Perth barracks...

I knew it, I just knew it, Barney's got Scottish blood flowing through his veins!!

[gray1720]

If you are doing family history you will already be spending a lot of time photographing gravestones - Scottish graveyards, and especially the big Victorian municipal necropoli, are really quite something!

I'm not sure they allow photography inside the distillery - or the Famous Grouse Experience as it has now become. They certainly didn't when I was there - or at least not with a flash.

Adrian

[Zou]

No pictures allowed inside Glenturret sadly, but then it isn't the mst photogenic distillery anyway.

I'll post in more detail later - dinner calls!

[Zou]

Let's say this is not necessarily recommendations, more a list of things and places I can remember off the top of my head.

Ok, Crieff. It's not the biggest of towns, nor the most scenic, but it is perfectly located for getting to a number of good sites. As I recall, the Hydro is up on the hill above the town, so you may well have good views from your room.

I've not got kids, so I won't even guess about what might appeal to a bairn (or rather, parents of). I'll just give some general pointers.

Just on the edge of Crieff (heading to the A9/Gleneagles) is the Crieff Visitor Centre. Decent enough simple food and an average gift shop. There is a Caithness Glass outlet where you can paint your own glasses, and across the road is another crystal shop.

A bit further down the road, just before you reach Muthill, there is Drummond Castle Gardens. I haven't been, but it may appeal. http://www.drummondcastlegardens.co.uk/

Further south again (just a few minutes) is Gleneagles. Lovely Hotel, and loads of activities. Unsurprisingly pricey, but the spa really is great and service first class. The food in the family-friendly Deseo restaurant is not worth the money (IMO) and as a Yorkshireman I doubt you'd see value in Andrew Fairlie's two-Michelin-starred eponymous restaurant. I certainly wouldn't, unless someone else was buying.

West of Crieff is the Glenturret Distillery, home to the Famous Grouse Experience. Nice enough, but for a distillery visit I'd still recommend the Edradour distillery by Pitlochry (free tour with dram of single malt or cream liqueur), and a bit prettier. The 'Experience' tour at the FG has a (allegedly very good) interactive show, but this was not running a few days ago when we went).

Head further west and Comrie is a nice little village. One of my favourite spots is the Deil's Cauldron waterfalls (plenty of pictures on my Flickr page here) - although I suppose you'd have to hold on tight to the little one.

South of Comrie is a wildlife park, the name of which totally escapes me - Auch-something I think. No idea how good it is as I haven't been...

West of Comrie is Loch Earn, one of my favourite lochs. Take the South Loch Earn road for the best access to the waterside.

Thinking slightly further afield, Killin and Loch Tay aren't far, and the crannog may be of interest. Glen Lyon to the north of Loch Tay is rather nice, and Ben Lawyers has some good walks. A bit further up again Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel are very scenic, and the view from Queen's View suitably grand.

Blair Castle in Blair Atholl is pretty, and has its own private army, would you believe. More walks on offer in Killiecrankie, and Pitlochry is nice enough too. The Kinnaird Estate is nearby (think Gleneagles but smaller) with several activities on offer, but may not be suitable for kids. The Edradour Distillery is not to be confused with the Bells one in the town, which isn't great. There's a wee place by the big car park which does interesting heather jewellery (hard to explain but quite fascinating to see them make it).

Down to Dunkeld there is the Hermitage - basically woodland and river walks, with Ossian's Cave and a stunning view of the falls. In Dunkeld itself is Beatrix Potter's old place, a ruined abbey, and a couple of miles out of the village is Loch of the Lowes, where they have nesting ospreys on site and a conveniently placed hide.

Perth isn't much further and there are a few things to see and do but I can't remember much off the top of my head. Scone is an obvious place that stands out though.

Widening the radius a bit more, and much is within reach - Glencoe, Glen Etive, Balmoral, Aviemore, St Andrews, etc etc.

If I think of more I'll let you know.

[Bawbee]

...South of Comrie is a wildlife park, the name of which totally escapes me - Auch-something I think. No idea how good it is as I haven't been...

Auchingarrich

Up beyond Pitlochry is Killicrankie and even further is The House of Bruar - 'arrods of the North (Leave the Visa at home) with the Falls of Bruar behind the shop.

Widening the radius a bit more, and much is within reach - Glencoe, Glen Etive, Balmoral, Aviemore, St Andrews, etc etc.

You are not too far from Dundee either, if you fancy a visit [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[spinno]

is the army camp at Cultybraggan still there...went there when I wos a cadet in 1975.....

[Barney]

I knew it, I just knew it, Barney's got Scottish blood flowing through his veins!!

Not just Scottish, Aberdonian blood going back to the 18th century apparently. I am Highlander!!!

[spinno]

I knew it, I just knew it, Barney's got Scottish blood flowing through his veins!!

Not just Scottish, Aberdonian blood going back to the 18th century apparently. I am Highlander!!!

bliddy eck...a scottish yorkie...is the next round on you....

[Barney]

If I think of more I'll let you know.

Thanks Zou! I'll have a shifty at your suggestions.

[Barney]

You are not too far from Dundee either, if you fancy a visit [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Well if you promise not to mention the 200mm f:2

[Barney]

I knew it, I just knew it, Barney's got Scottish blood flowing through his veins!!

Not just Scottish, Aberdonian blood going back to the 18th century apparently. I am Highlander!!!

bliddy eck...a scottish yorkie...is the next round on you....

Next round? I've just got one in! Were you not here?

[spinno]

I knew it, I just knew it, Barney's got Scottish blood flowing through his veins!!

Not just Scottish, Aberdonian blood going back to the 18th century apparently. I am Highlander!!!

bliddy eck...a scottish yorkie...is the next round on you....

Next round? I've just got one in! Were you not here?

yes but I'd just ordered you a double but you walked away from the bar...never mind it was quite nice...

[Benchista]

And if you do head over to the Edradour distillery, stop for a pint at the nearby Moulin Hotel - it has its own brewery.

There's certainly more of interest around Pitlochry than around Crieff, IMVHO.

[daft_biker]

There's certainly more of interest around Pitlochry than around Crieff, IMVHO.

I'd agree. And suggest a day trip to Callander if there's time.....not too much of a drive from there? Scenery wise I think it's a bit of a treat up there.

[Benchista]

Cue the Trossachs jokes...

[ermintrude]

And if you do head over to the Edradour distillery,

Ohhhhh I liked it there!

stop for a pint at the nearby Moulin Hotel - it has its own brewery.

Ohhhhh I liked it there too!

[Barney]

There's certainly more of interest around Pitlochry than around Crieff, IMVHO.

I'd agree. And suggest a day trip to Callander if there's time.....not too much of a drive from there? Scenery wise I think it's a bit of a treat up there.

Thanks for this, and to the others.

Photographically, my time is going to be limited to getting up before dawn to an hour or so after sun rise. After that, it will be family snaps and reacting to opportune moments if and when they arise.

We chose the Hydro as there should be plenty to do there but it's always good to explore the local area. We've got a four month old too (she'll be six months old when we go) so we'll be trying to keep things as simple as hassle free as possible.

[AGW]

Its now a "community regeneration project"....

As for the potential itinery......Aberfeldy (Birks of)
If you do get as far as Calendar..the David Marshall lodge(falcons) and the forest drive are both worthwhile.

........so your not coming to Arran then?

Graeme

[Barney]

........so your not coming to Arran then?

Not this time, but will certainly will when the girls are older. I really want to go but with a 3 1/2 year old and a six month old in tow, we wanted somewhere where we weren't so weather dependent. Hopefully all the activities at the Hydro will keep Monster No 1 happy, while the spa facilities will please Das Ubermonster.