240
Above The wonderful Italian Garden at Glamis
Castle, laid out in 1910VISITING PERTH
Parking
There is long-stay parking by the railway
station, on the High St and on South St.
Tourist Information
Lower City Mills, West Mill St, PH1 5QP;
01738 450 600; http://www.perthshire.co.ukBACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN
3 Glamis Castle
Glamis, Angus; DD8 1RJ
With its grand towers, turrets and tiny
windows, Glamis Castle (Mar–Dec: open
daily; guided tours only; http://www.glamis-
castle.co.uk) looks like a French château
or something out of a fairytale. The
seat of the Earls of Strathmore since
1372, it was the childhood home of
the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen
Mother: visitors can see her sitting
room and bedroom. The castle is said
to be the most haunted building in
Scotland and the creepy crypt
contains a secret room: according to
legend, it was where one of the lords
of Glamis played cards with the Devil.
The room was later sealed up. In
summer, the Strathmore Highland
Games are held in the grounds.
ª Take A928 north and park in centre.4 Kirriemuir
Angus; DD8
Known in the19th century for its jute
factories, Kirriemuir is now more
famous as J M Barrie’s Birthplace
(Easter–Oct: open Sat–Wed; Jul, Aug: open
daily; http://www.nts.org.uk). The museum is
signposted, just off the central square.
The creator of Peter Pan was the 9th
of 10 children and it’s hard to imagine
how they all squeezed into the tiny
upper rooms. Barrie’s father, a weaver,
worked downstairs. Outside is the
little wash house, in which the 7-year-
old author acted out his first plays – it
inspired Wendy’s House in Peter Pan.
ª Pick up A926 towards Blairgowrie,
then take A923 past the Loch of the
Lowes Visitor Centre (ospreys can be
seen in late spring) and into Dunkeld.1 Perth
Perthshire; PH1
The “Fair City”, as Sir Walter Scott
dubbed Perth, sits on the banks of the
River Tay – Scotland’s longest river. It’s
a lovely green city: Branklyn Gardens
(Dundee Rd; open daily) are famed for
their brilliant blue Himalayan poppies;
and Cherrybank Gardens (Glasgow
Rd; open daily) contain the National
Collection of heathers. The Museum
and Art Gallery (closed Sun) contains
watercolours by Beatrix Potter, creator
of Peter Rabbit (see opposite).
Just north of the city, off the A93,
stands Scone (pronounced “scoon”)
Palace (Apr–Oct; open daily; http://www.scone-
palace.co.uk). In the grounds lies Moot
Hill where ancient Scottish kings such
as Macbeth and Robert the Bruce were
crowned. The Stone of Destiny stood
here until Edward I took it to London in
1296: it sat under the Coronation Chair
until 1996. It’s now in Edinburgh Castle.
ª Continue on the A93, past the 30-m
(100-ft) high Meiklour beech hedge,
planted in 1745. Soon after, turn right
onto A984 signed Coupar Angus and
at crossroads go right on the A923. At
Coupar Angus take the A94 to Meigle.WHERE TO STAYPERTH
Ardfern House inexpensive
Enjoy pretty rooms at this comfortable
Victorian house. There’s a fire in the
lounge and many options for breakfast.
15 Pitcullen Crescent, PH2 7HT; 01738
637 031; http://www.ardfernguesthouse.co.uk
Beechgrove Guest House inexpensive
Attractive B&B overlooking the Tay, just
outside the centre, offers traditional
ensuite rooms and has its own grounds.
Dundee Road, PH2 7AQ; 01738 636 147
Halton House moderate
Arts and Crafts architecture is a feature
at this attractive B&B. The guest lounge
has an open fire in winter. Wifi in rooms.
11 Tullylumb Terrace, PH1 1BA (just off
main Glasgow Rd); 01738 643 446AROUND DUNKELD
Kinnaird Hotel expensive
A superb 18th-century country house
in tranquil countryside by the River
Tay. Elegantly furnished rooms offer
stunning views. Delicious breakfasts of
fresh fruit, pastries and pancakes.
Kinnaird Estate, by Dunkeld (on B898
north of Dunkeld); PH8 0LB; 01796 482
440; http://www.kinnairdestate.comFar left The compact and pretty city of Perth, set
beside the River Tay Left The elegant tea garden
and peacock at 14th-century Scone Palace, PerthVISITING DUNKELD
Parking
There is a large car park in the town
centre, behind the High Street.
Tourist Information
The Cross, PH8 OAN; 01350 727 688;
http://www.perthshire.co.uk2 Meigle Museum
Meigle, Perthshire; PH12 8SB
Meigle Museum (Apr–Sept: open daily)
contains a superb collection of Pictish
stones, dating back to the 8th century.
Amongst the images carved on these
mysterious stones by the Picts are a
camel, a bear and mythical beasts.
ª From Meigle, continue on the A94,
turning left to reach Glamis Castle.