Perthshire is a rarely talked about but stunning location in central Scotland, exhibiting a variety of landscapes including the Grampian Mountains in the southern Highlands and a gorgeous stretch of the Lowlands. Centred around the city of Perth, it’s a perfect region to explore in your motorhome for a few days, and in this blog, we’re going to explain exactly why. Before we do that, however, let’s take a look at the history.
Perthshire: A History
Known as the heart of Scotland, Perthshire is a historic county that has a history dating back to the Roman Empire, with several Roman forts being built between the 1st and the 5th century AD.
During the Middle Ages, Perthshire became the centre of power in Scotland, with the town of Perth – then known as St John’s Toun – becoming the most important royal burgh and serving as a crucial hub for trade and commerce. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Perthshire also played a big role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, with the Battle of Dunbar and the Battle of Dupplin Moor both taking place in the region.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Perthshire was also embroiled in the Jacobite uprisings, with notable events including the Battle of Killiecrankie – taking place in 1689 – and the Battle of Sheriffmuir – which took place in 1715 – having a significant impact on Scottish history. More recently, Perthshire has become a popular tourist hotspot, visited for its history and attractions, as well as the gorgeous wildlife which is known to inhabit the region.
A Day in Perthshire
If you’re hiring a motorhome in Scotland – but your schedule is pretty jam-packed – there are plenty of things you can do in a single day. One of the biggest reasons why people visit, for instance, is to experience the wildlife, with the centuries-old forests and majestic glens becoming hotspots for wildlife photographers over the last few decades.
In a single day in Perthshire, you can spot anything from red deer, red squirrels, Scottish wildcats, pine martens, mountain hares, and a range of birdlife, including kestrels, buzzards, golden eagles, and falcons. The sparkling blue lochs, specifically, are favourites amongst Scottish fishermen, with plenty of visitors spending the day taking in the scenery while fishing for salmon, pike, perch, and arctic char.
If fishing or wildlife-watching isn’t really your thing, then there are plenty of other ways you can experience Perthshire, with historic sites like the majestic Blair Castle and the picturesque town of Dunkeld within easy reach when travelling in one of our vehicles. For those who want to stay the night, Perthshire is also a renowned location for whisky distilleries, with Aberfeldy Distillery, Glenturret Distillery and Strathearn Distillery all offering visitors guided tours and tasting sessions.
Other Activities in Perthshire
If you want to spend a little more time in this glorious region, we’d recommend a three-day itinerary which includes visits to Scone Palace – no, not a palace made of scones, although that would be amazing – Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, Black Watch Castle and Museum, Perth Museum, and the Queen’s View Visitor Centre.
The latter is an especially great spot if you want to take a single photograph that sums up the beauty of Scotland. With a clear view of the vast landscape – including mountains, lochs, and rolling hills – this is a view that attracts hundreds of tourists every year and is easily accessible for motorhome drivers who don’t want to take the hike. Even if you’re not into photography, this is a great spot to simply visit, relax, observe the wonders of nature, and give your mind a reset.
For history-lovers, Castle Menzies is another great location which is located just west of the quaint village of Weem. Built in the 16th century, this is a famous castle that was the seat of chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 500 years. It may not be the largest castle in Scotland, but it’s packed full of history and interesting stories, all of which can be told to you on a group tour. Oh, and for ghost hunters, Castle Menzies is majorly haunted, so there’s that too!
Perthshire: A Scottish Wonder for Your Motorhome Adventure
There are so many places to visit during your motorhome adventure, and the decision rests solely in your hands, but if you want a full Scottish experience, we’d really recommend at least a brief visit to Perthshire. With so many towns to explore and landscapes to roam, this is truly a spot that encapsulates everything great about Scotland. There’s a reason why it’s referred to as the ‘heart’, after all, and believe us when we say, it doesn’t just come down to geography!
