A full day’s tour through the beautiful Perthshire countryside in the heart of Scotland. We travel along the back roads, stopping at some wonderful sites along the way including imposing Castles, Iron Age loch dwellings the oldest living tree in Europe, dramatic water falls and the graves of some of Scotland’s great historic characters including Rob Roy! 

From your accommodation we drive north and make a brief stop at the imposing Stirling Castle, one of the grandest Castles in Scotland, dating back to the 11th century. During the Wars of Independence the Castle was held by the English army but was taken by Scottish forces led by Sir William Wallace (Braveheart) at the battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

From the castle there are breathtaking views of the Wallace Monument sitting on top of Abbey Craig to commemorate Scotland’s National Hero. Leaving Stirling sit back and enjoy the beautiful Perthshire countryside as we take the back roads to our next stop of the day the “Famous Grouse Distillery” you can take a tour around one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries and learn how Glenturret single malt is made. There’s also a wee dram at the end of your tour.  

From here we drive north through the town of Crieff to the grandeur of the Sma Glen stretching just over 2 miles and surrounded by heather covered slopes. The Glen gives you that real feeling of the Scottish Highlands.

Leaving Sma Glen we continue along the country roads passing some picturesque villages along the way to the Scottish Crannog Centre. Located on the shores of Loch Tay near to the attractive village of Kenmore this unique Crannog is a reconstruction of an early Iron Age loch dwelling dating back 5000 years. These dwellings were built in the Loch as defensive homesteads; they also represented symbols of power and wealth. There are regular tours of the Crannog where you will discover how these ancient people lived and worked. The Exhibition Centre has excellent original early Iron Age artefacts and there’s also the opportunity for some hands-on ancient crafts demonstrations, a visit to the Crannog is a real highlight of your tour.

From Kenmore our journey takes us along the north side of Loch Tay and a brief stop at the village of Fortingall and the Fortingall Yew. Located in the village church yard the Yew is thought to be around 3,000yrs old, which makes the tree the oldest known tree in Europe! Although not much remains of the Yew due to souvenir hunters the Yew is still worth a visit on your tour of Perthshire.

Leaving Fortingall we drive along the length of Loch Tay keeping the mighty Ben Lawers (Perthshire’s Highest Mountain) in view to the attractive village of Killin. Situated on the edge of the Trossachs National Park, Killin is a bustling village in the summer months and with plenty of cafes and shops to choose from we will spend some time here for lunch and an opportunity to explore the dramatic Falls of Dochart, a spectacular series of rapids that carry the river Dochart under the old stone bridge and around the island of Inchbuie, the traditional burial place of the Clan MacNab. Close to the falls is the Breadalbane Folklore Centre where you can view the sacred St Fillans healing stones used to bring comfort to the sick.

From Killin we head down Glen Ogle to the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of the Scottish Folk Hero Rob Roy MacGregor. Also known as Scotland’s Robin Hood he was born in 1671, the son of clan Chief Donald MacGregor, Rob Roy was known firstly as a cattle drover then, later, infamous as a cattle rustler. After a fall out with the Duke of Montrose over a £1,000 debt. Money lent to him by the Duke so as he could purchase some cattle for himself, however, things didn’t go to plan as Robs trusted head Drover disappeared with the money never to be seen again, thus leaving him in debt to the Duke! So the Duke of Montrose outlawed the Macgregor’s, seized his lands, and had his family evicted! Seeking revenge, Rob Roy kidnapped Montrose’s factor, with £3,000 rent money he had been carrying at the time, MacGregor was eventually received a Royal pardon in 1726 by public demand. Rob Roy died a folk hero in 1734 in Balquhidder Glen and you can pay a visit to his place of rest at Balquhidder Kirkyard where he is buried with his wife and two of his four sons.

Leaving Balquhidder our journey home takes us down the length of Loch Lubnaig and through the Trossachs National Park to your accommodation and the end of what we hope has been a wonderful tour with us at About Scotland.