How To Visit Perthshire, Scotland
A Very Helpful Visitor’s Guide
Perthshire is one of Scotland’s most naturally rich and quietly captivating regions. Often described as the gateway to the Highlands, it is a place of deep forests, long lochs, and winding glens, where scenery takes the lead, and the pace of travel naturally slows. Perthshire blends small towns, big landscapes, and a strong sense of place. This is a region made for unhurried journeys, culinary adventures, woodland walks, and lingering stops, where the reward lies as much in the spaces between places as in the destinations themselves.
TRAVEL GUIDE
OUR GUIDE TO PERTHSHIRE, SCOTLAND
There are many ways to build a Perthshire itinerary, but it is often treated as somewhere to pass through rather than linger. Sitting between the Lowlands and the Highlands, Perthshire is easy to reach and wonderfully varied, with forested glens, lochs, waterfalls, and characterful towns all within a relatively compact area. It works beautifully as a scenic pause on a longer journey, or as a slower standalone destination for travellers who want landscapes without the long driving days.
This complete guide to Perthshire brings together ready-to-follow routes, time in towns such as Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, and Pitlochry, woodland and riverside walks, lochside stops, places to eat and stay, and quieter corners that are easy to miss without local insight.
Browse the guides below to plan your time in Perthshire, or let us take care of the planning as part of your wider Scotland journey.
Best Places to Visit In Perthshire
Things to See & Do
The Rob Roy Way - Everything You Need To Know
The Rob Roy Way is a varied long-distance route that links lochs, glens, and historic towns through the heart of Scotland. Some of its most rewarding sections pass through Perthshire, where the walking is leafy, scenic, and rich in history. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the best Perthshire sections to walk and how to plan your time, to what to expect on the trail, and where to stop along the way.
Perthshire, Scotland’s Woodland Heart
Perthshire is often described as the gateway to the Highlands, but it is far more than a place to pass through. This is one of Scotland’s most naturally rich regions, where forested landscapes, long lochs, and historic towns sit within easy reach of one another. Travelling through Perthshire feels unhurried by nature, with scenery that encourages you to slow down, step out of the car, and explore on foot.
Towns such as Pitlochry and Dunkeld form natural anchors for a Perthshire itinerary. Pitlochry blends Victorian heritage with access to lochs, forests, and Highland scenery, while Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay, pairing cathedral history with outstanding woodland walking. The Hermitage, just outside town, is one of the region’s defining landscapes, with towering Douglas firs, carefully crafted paths, and waterfalls that feel atmospheric in every season.
Further west, Loch Tay cuts through the heart of Highland Perthshire, offering wide open views, quiet roadside stops, and access to traditional villages along its shores. Nearby Aberfeldy works well as a base, with easy access to both lochside scenery and woodland walks such as Weem Woods. Comrie and Crieff add further depth to the region, from riverside paths and waterfalls to traditional high streets and historic hotels, making them natural stops on a slower journey through Perthshire.
Forest walks are one of Perthshire’s defining highlights. In addition to The Hermitage and Weem Woods, places such as Faskally Forest near Pitlochry offer peaceful lochside trails and well-marked routes through mixed woodland. These walks are generally accessible and easy to combine with short drives, cafés, and viewpoints, making them ideal for travellers who want immersive scenery without committing to long or technical hikes.
Food is a major reason to linger in Perthshire, and the region quietly boasts one of Scotland's best food scenes. This is an area shaped by growers, farmers, foragers, and small producers, with menus led by seasonality and local produce. From relaxed cafés and bakeries to destination dining and countryside inns, eating here feels grounded in place, with a strong connection between the landscape and the plate.
There is also plenty to see and do beyond walking and eating. Distilleries, historic castles, beautiful gardens, mountain hikes, and scenic drives sit close to the main routes, making it easy to shape days that blend nature, culture, and comfort. You can move from a forest walk to a distillery visit or a long lunch without covering large distances.
Whether you are visiting for a short break or building Perthshire into a wider Scotland itinerary, the region offers variety, beauty, and a deep sense of place. With its woodland landscapes, lochs, exceptional food, and welcoming towns, Perthshire suits travellers who value slow travel, thoughtful experiences, and time well spent.