Things to Do

Last edited: 03rd Apr

Out and About in Highland Perthshire

Highland Perthshire is a fantastic holiday venue and orienteers may like to squeeze in extra activities over Easter weekend or extend their stay to take full advantage of what’s on offer. Some ideas to explore include:

Action and Adventure

You will pass Nae Limits at Ballinluig near Pitlochry and they can arrange for your white water rafting, bungee jumping or canyoning. For a 10% discount enter JK2012 when you book online and show your race number when you arrive!  Escape Route in Pitlochry have a great shop (and excellent website) and can sort out your bike hire. Look up cycle highland perthshire for more information on routes – this is where the Etape Caledonia takes place after all.  Once you have had your run in Craig a’Barns you can go back and climb up the cliffs you just ran past.  The Event Coordinator’s first ever rock route was done on Polney Crag – just don’t try climbing if it’s wet as the rock is very slippery mica schist.  If that’s all a bit too much and you want to soothe tired muscles Live Active are offering free swims to orienteers and reduced entry to accompanying friends and family at their Breadalbane Community Campus, Aberfeldy. Live Active operate leisure venues across the Perth & Kinross Council area.  Visit their website in the New Year to download a free swim voucher – validation on production of your race number. Hilton Dunkeld has a Living Well Health Club.

Progression Bikes have a cycling event on Easter Sunday in Dunkeld. Skills course, maintenance workshops, guided trips, 10% off all stock and more. See the poster below, contact them on 07825 322225 visit the Progression Bikes website.

Grandtully - Canoeing/ Kayak Sat and Sun some of Britain's top slalom paddlers in action at the home countries international.

Grandtully Hill Race -  Sunday, The Riverside Inn, 7pm 5.8km/280m, low key but usually competitive, details on the Scottish Hill Runners website

Training

Any time for training?  If so you can test yourself against TAY's Woodland Challenge on either Kinnoull Hill (just N of Perth, as used for the 6-Days) or Saint Magdalene's Hill (just S of Perth) or The Knock of Crieff (15 miles W of Perth, with lovely views of the start of The Highlands).  Note, The Hermitage is unfortunately not usable owing to extensive windblow.  See www.taysideorienteers.org.uk for the outlets in Perth and Crieff that stock the map pack (courses from TD2 to TD5).  May be an idea to phone and check they have maps: Banks 01738 624928; Craigdon 01738 631006; Tourist Info 01738 450600; Crieff Hydro Activity 01764 651622, noting there is an easy (Trail/Discovery) and a TD3/TD5 (Discovery/Challenge) map.

Nature and Wildlife

As well as the ceilidh on Saturday night there is a chance to spot other native species at the Scottish Wildlife Trust (Loch of the Lowes) or even go on Highland Safari.  Tell us if you see herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain. If you haven’t had enough of trees there are many other Forestry Commission areas to visit within the Tay Forest Park.  This includes the famous Queen’s View – best on a clear day. See red squirrels at Cluny House Gardens but they may not welcome fluffy bunnies.

Ospreys

A female osprey, the oldest breeding individual in the UK, has returned to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes reserve in Dunkeld for the 22nd year. Read more about the oportunities to see her on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.

Entertainment

Dunkeld - Taybank Hotel live band music (Fri/Sat and Sunday) including "Rock" night on Friday and the Dave Amos pop favourites band on Saturday.

Birnam - Arts Centre Sat 7th Play - "A Wanderer Fantasy" - Drama and Music - a portrait of Franz Schubert see www.birnamarts.com

Pitlochry - Pitlochry Theatre 7th - The Johnny Cash  Roadshow. / 8th Rosemary Squires - Those were the Days. www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Historic Scotland

There’s no shortage of Scottish history in the area, and you may want to call in at Menzies Castle (they also do weddings).  One of the best known sites is the National Trust for Scotland’s  property at Killiekrankie – an impressive leap across the gorge even for a top M21E.  This exploit went on to inspire one of Scotland’s top stage acts. Not to be missed!  Hopefully you managed to find decent accommodation, but spare a thought for the early orienteers who had to make do with more primitive shelter at the Scottish Crannog Centre.  Dunkeld Cathedral is adjacent to the Sunday Trail O and should have an Easter Sunday Service.

Shop till you Drop

Though not very well served for Gucci and Prada Perthshire has it’s very own upmarket shopping experience at House of Bruar.  You will pass this on the way to Day 2 when you take the recommended route.  There’s some very nice fashion clothing, but perhaps you will want to wait till the Scottish 6 Day in Moray 2013 before buying your Johnsons of Elgin cashmere. I find it catches terribly when going through areas of dark green but fortunately we have lots of open runnable forest and moorland.  If you want to read all about the area where better than to visit the UK Independent Bookshop of the Year at Aberfeldy Watermill.

Rannoch and Tummel

This is a beautiful and scenic environment overlooked by the famous conical peak of Schiehallion  "Mountain of the Fairies" and encompassing gentle Kynachan, the unique Caledonian pine forest of the Black Wood leading to Glen Lyon, with lochs Tummel and Rannoch extending over to the remote Moor of Rannoch with Glen Coe as a magnificent backdrop.

The Rannoch and Tummel Tourism Association website has lots of information on the things to do and places to stay in the area.

Your Suggestions

If we haven’t included you here, or have other ideas for things to see and do contact us at jk2012@scottish-orienteering.org

Last edited: 03rd Apr

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