Small City Summer Magazine 2017

SUMMER

DAYS & NIGHTS IN PERTHSHIRE

2017

E FRASE E TAKE

PLE

ONE

FAMILY ADVENTURES

IF YOU DO ONE THING

The mountains, forests, rivers and canyons of

From the sweet sounds of Americana to musical theatre

We meet Muz and the team for a bungee like

Perthshire’s amazing outdoor playground are

breaks and a trip down the rabbit hole, summer in

no other as we leap from the Garry Bridge into

ready and waiting for you and your family.

Perthshire is brimming with arts and culture.

the wild countryside of Killiecrankie.

TAKE A HIGHLAND FLING

2017 Summer Events Outdoor Cinema 27 May Dirty Dancing 24 June Bridget Jones’s Diary 20 July Top Gun 26 May Hairspray Seasonal Ticket Offer Visit Scone Palace as often as you like throughout the season when you upgrade your Palace and Grounds day ticket to a Season Ticket at no additional charge!

Music, Arts & Culture 9 - 11 June

Potfest , the International

Ceramic Art Festival

30 June - 2 July 21 - 23 July 29 July 6 August 20 August 16 & 17 Sept

GWCT Scottish Game Fair 80’s Rewind Festival Battle Heritage Robert the Bruce Festival Clann an Drumma Alice in Wonderland Weekend

Don’t miss our Falconry Fridays! See our website for full dates this summer.

scone-palace.co.uk

INSIDE Hello Summer!

Call me biased but there really is no better place to be when the sun is shining than Perthshire. With just a few miles under your belt you can move from bustling city to sprawling countryside, soaking up culture, adventure and some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery as you go.

We will feed you, teach you, entertain you and make you wish you’d brought a bigger bag with a gorgeous choice of Indie shops on every wee street corner. Kids will play, grannies will scale mountains and the foodies will eat, pour, slurp and chew as they declare their love for our homegrown larder.

If you’re local, make sure you get out and play at being a tourist with a trip up the road, across the water or o’er the bridge. And for the visitors out there, spread yourself as far as you can and make sure to leave with a little piece of Perthshire in your heart.

Have a great summer,

MEET THE YURT MAKER Page 14

SCENIC SELFIES Page 30

Nicki X

PIECE OF PERTHSHIRE Page 22

ON THE COVER Kristy Ashton is a Perthshire photographer who specialises in capturing the wildness of Scotland, its landscapes, beauty and the people who inhabit it. Our front page image is of her daughter, Olivia, playing in the rapeseed fields by Errol in early Summer 2017.

Follow her on Instagram @kristyashton Find more of Kristy’s work at: www.kristyashton.co.uk where you can also buy prints.

Small City Summer is published and produced by The Red String Agency under their Small City, Big Personality brand. Full details can be found at www.smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk Editor - Nicola Martin // Writers, Nicola Martin - Gary Henderson Design & Layout - Cain Martin // Photography - Kristy Ashton, Cain Martin

©The Red String Agency

04

SPOTLIGHT ON STRATHEARN

SPOTLIGHT on

S T R AT H E A R N

ne of my favourite childhood memories is standing in line at Gordon & Durward’s on Crieff’s High Street, mesmerised by row upon row of colourful jars filled with sweeties of all shapes and sizes.

The pale pink sherbet straws glistening prettily beside the bright green soor plooms and sugary coated red cola cubes, would be tipped out noisily into the wide silver scale before being poured deftly into wee white pokes and carefully tucked into the pockets of delighted children.

Going for a day trip to Crieff was always a treat and it usually involved my grandad, a lover of Scottish history, telling stories of The Tryst – a great cattle sale that brought drovers and their beasts from all over the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The town would fill with drunken cattlemen celebrating their new found wealth and this in turn attracted the opportunists and thieves who’d enjoy their own success as they picked pockets and turned tricks. The guilty however, would be punished on the Kind Gallows of Crieff, keeping the town’s full-time hangman busy.

Today, you’ll be glad to hear the Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst attracts no such attention – and the hangman’s job has been null and void since the

17th century. The modern day Tryst is a walking festival run by volunteers and built around a programme of guided walks in the stunning scenery and autumn colours of Strathearn and surrounding areas of Perthshire.

You can still enjoy a poke of sweeties from Gordon & Durwards though, and although celebrating 92 years in business this summer, they’re far from the oldest temptation in town.

The town would fill with drunken cattlemen celebrating their new found wealth The Famous Grouse Experience is housed in the Glenturret Distillery, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, and attracts an incredible 80,000 people a year from all over the globe to witness the making of their Famous Grouse whisky using authentic methods and traditional equipment.

Food and drink is one of Crieff’s highlights, with fantastic restaurants such as Yanns and Barley Bree highly regarded by locals and critics alike.

Or, for a proper Scottish experience, spread your jacket out on the steps at the town square, take a seat and scoff down a traditional fish supper from Delvino Pronto.

Sweeties, whisky and fine French food may all seem wildly indulgent but you can rest assured you’ll burn it off soaking up Crieff’s glorious outdoors.

Enriched by wildlife, plants, trees and history, the countryside around Strathearn stretches out for miles and is just begging to be explored.

Comrie Croft is a great starting point for this, offering lodgings, bike hire and plenty of great advice on the area as a whole. Or, book in for a day to Action Glen at Crieff Hydro for some quad biking, falconry or the ultimate in thrill-seeking fun with an Aloft!

Treetop walk.

Finally, make sure you stick around long enough to enjoy one of the many talented local bands and a few pints of craft ale. For Saturday live music in Crieff, try ‘The Meadow Inn’ or take a trip to Comrie and let your hair down at one of “Chris’s Gigs” running from the White Church Comrie Community Centre. Known as events where anything can happen, dancing shoes and party pants are advised.

WHAT TO DO IN CRIEFF

ACTION GLEN AT CREIFF HYDRO actionglen.com

Ferntower Road, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 3LQ 01764 651671

ction Glen, Scotland’s premier adventure centre, is home to over 30 activities. From quad bikes and Segways, to banana boats and treetop adventures, you’ll find everything you need for the ultimate family day out.

The home of adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced adventures, Action Glen’s all about outdoor experiences.

And with 900-acres to play around in, and an onsite sand and gravel quarry, there’s lots of outdoors to be experienced.

There’s water sports, wheelie sports, unique approaches to golfing, everyone else’s take on golfing, shooting experiences, aerial adventures and inflatable stuff.

There are adventures for the littlest of kids, activities for the whole family, and action packed adult options perfect for stag and hen parties.

Just 30 minutes from Perth, Action Glen is set in the grounds of Crieff Hydro so there’s plenty to do, eat and explore – why not make a day of it?

Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

5

crieff.co.uk

Muthill Road, Crieff PH7 4HQ 01764 654014 rieff Visitor Centre is a popular visitor attraction set in the heart of the beautifully tranquil Strathearn countryside on the outskirts of Crieff. It is easily accessible from all directions and has extensive free parking.

As the home of the world-renowned Caithness Glass, you can enjoy watching the skilled craftsmen at work from the viewing gallery, before spending time meandering around the gift shop, garden centre, gallery and antique area.

Experience the wonderful homemade food on offer in their family-friendly Drovers Restaurant. They pride themselves on using the best local produce, and the extensive menu offers great value. Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy breakfast, coffee and cake, lunch or afternoon snacks.

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CRIEFF VISITOR CENTRE

Step Into A Great Day’s Shopping

St John’s Shopping Centre is situated in the heart of Perth’s friendly and welcoming shopping area.

A must for any visitor to Perth, the shopping centre is packed with over 30 retailers, providing a relaxed and quality shopping experience for everyone.

www.stjshopping.co.uk

&

WORKDAYS WEEKENDS

James is the Deputy General Manager at the Birnam Arts Centre. He works Monday to Friday, from 9-5, with the odd weekend thrown in if they have larger functions or performances showing.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

First things first, I’ll make myself a strong cappuccino to wake up then get going. As we are such a multi-purpose venue, workdays can be pretty varied but generally I’ll do the boring stuff like checking emails first before getting on with a little bit of marketing. I’ll check things are okay with the website, perhaps write a quick blog about an upcoming performance or a function that we may be hosting that day.

I’m constantly getting notifications from our various social media profiles so keeping on top of them is a constant task whether I’m at work or not. If we’ve got a function on I’ll lend a hand with the setup if necessary. Generally, I’ll try to ensure that all sides of our business are getting the attention they need to raise our profile.

Afternoons again are varied. Today, I’m putting in a small funding application but on other days I may be meeting with agencies we work with such as Small City, or the local tourist association. Sometimes, I help with the accounts or arrange upcoming wedding preparations. More recently I’ve spent afternoons gazing out the window wishing I was in the glorious sunshine we’ve been blessed with!

What signals the start of your weekend / days off?

There’s usually a mad rush on Friday evening to get finished in time to nip off for a quick blast on the mountain bike in the hills around Dunkeld with some mates. Then of course, we gather in The Taybank for our regular Friday night pints!

What makes for a perfect night in?

A good football match or film with some good food. We’ve just bought a flat in Dunkeld so we’re doing a lot of DIY at

the moment – luckily my girlfriend Flora is a cake maker extraordinaire (she’s opening a bakery downstairs) and her plastering technique is greatly aided by her experience in icing cakes! Hopefully once we’ve got the DIY out the way we can start getting friends over for dinner and ideally become socialites!

What makes for a memorable day or night out?

Lots of friends, music and alcohol, maybe a wee BBQ thrown in!

Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

Probably a weekend about 8 years ago that recently popped up on my Facebook memories – we’d hired a campervan and were working our way up the West Coast of Australia. We spent the weekend camping in a small town called Exmouth, went snorkelling with whale sharks and swam through coral in the turquoise waters of the Ningaloo Reef, a stone’s throw from the beach. Since then life’s felt a bit drab!

And now your best ever day at work?

We meet a lot of talented performers here, occasionally we’ve been out for a few drinks with some of them after their shows. It’s nice to bask in their reflected glory….

Any workday or weekend rituals?

Aside from the aforementioned 9:07am cappuccino, I’m struggling to cut out the Sunday night ritual of a donner kebab from the local takeaway!

What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

I’m pretty excited that I’ll soon be living above a bakery!

On that basis, sausage rolls, cakes, pies and any other leftovers will ensure I balloon in weight in no time at all…

James’s #PerthshireLoveFest • Swimming at Rumbling Bridge near Dunkeld • Mountain biking through Big Tree Country • Local summer raspberries

TAKING THE SOLDIER’S LEAP At The Highland Fling Bungee, Killiecrankie

cottish legend states that in July 1689, at the conclusion of the Battle of Killiecrankie, a Redcoat called Donald McBane leapt five and a half metres across the River Garry to flee the Jacobites in what is now known as ‘the Soldier’s Leap.’

Over 300 years later, in the same picturesque Highland Perthshire village, you can roll back the years and do your own jump over the River Garry – with a modern twist.

The Highland Fling Bungee opened in 2011 as the UK’s first permanent bungee site and since then it has welcomed over 30,000 thrill-seeking jumpers. The attraction came about when New Zealand-born bungee enthusiast, Murray Trail, first crossed the Garry Bridge and dreamt that it could one day be a hotspot for adrenalin junkies.

Murray - or Muz as he’s known to his friends – put the wheels in motion in 2006, and five years later he was open for business. The fixed platform lies just beneath the bridge, where a 40ft drop awaits those brave enough to dive off the edge.

There will be many people reading this article with one eye closed; the thought of diving off a bridge over a Highland river the stuff of nightmares. True, a bungee jump sounds completely bonkers and the belief is that only a certain kind of person would be able to do it – a stunt man, ski-jumper or some kind of Evel Knievel daredevil. The reality, however, is entirely different. Muz and

his team have welcomed jumpers from all walks of life; there is no one reason for people deciding they want to take that leap.

“We’ve seen two weddings take place and now offer a wedding package which is generating a lot of interest.

The ceremony is conducted at the bungee, and then the wedding party all get a jump!

We’ve had limbless ex-servicemen and women, blind people and others with severe physical disabilities. Our oldest jumper was a man called Bob Steele – he came to us on his 90th birthday.”

The team at Highland Fling are currently preparing for one of their largest challenges to date; Muz and

co are embarking on a World Record attempt this September with a goal of completing the highest number of jumps in a 24 hour period. The current record is 151 and in order to beat this they have called upon the extraordinary talents of a special friend of the team.

“We had this French guy called Francois come to see us one day. He had originally paid to do five jumps – but he loved it so much he just kept adding more! He ended up doing 30 jumps in one day.

So, we thought, rather than selecting one of the team, we’d invite Francois back to help us. We don’t just want to get a new world record – we want to smash the old one, and he’s the guy who can make it happen for us!”

GARY’S JUMP It really wouldn’t be right for me to write this article without taking the leap of faith with Muz and his Highland Fling Bungee team. So, when Cain and I headed North to interview the team for this article we decided to take the plunge and go for it ourselves. We kicked off with some words of encouragement from Muz… “You get two kinds of people who do the jump – people who are shi**ing themselves, and people who are bullshi**ing themselves! If you think you’re not going to be nervous – you’re the latter!”

There I was – toes hanging over the edge with my first look down at what I was actually about to do. I had a peak over the edge and looked down at the water below and all of a sudden I went white… oh damn!

Looking up at the bridge, it doesn’t look that high but now I realised how wrong I’d been. I was thinking back to what Muz had said in the shuttle bus and realised that in his infinite wisdom, he had been right.

I was up there for what seemed like an eternity but in actual fact it is only a few seconds. I would later find out from the Highland Fling team that some people get to this point and decide to turn back. Despite that being tempting, I knew I would be ridiculed by my mates and my colleagues back in the office if I didn’t jump – so I had no choice. Callum gave me a countdown and told me to leap out as far from the platform as possible. It was time. Three… two… one…

I shouted at the top of my voice language that I really can’t repeat in this article – but I had done it. I had leapt off and I felt like I was flying!

The feeling is pretty difficult to put into words. You are in free fall but it’s absolutely exhilarating. Your stomach feels like it has stayed behind on the platform as you hurtle towards the river below. You feel like it’s going in slow motion and that you are never going to stop – until the bungee cord kicks in and springs you back into reality….”

Read Gary’s full review of the bungee experience on smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk

10

PERTHSHIRE FOR FAMILIES

ever before has there been so much for kids to tap into by way of a screen.

Brightly coloured games designed to hold their gaze for hours, perky YouTubers full of great ideas and product placements and an endless stream of apps, films, music and bloggers to plug in the gaps between ‘gramming and lunch.

From rock climbing and abseiling, to orienteering and canyoning this is a playground unlike any other. Apart from the fact that your kids will be outdoors in the fresh air, running around, getting mucky and burning up plenty of energy, chances are they’ll also discover a love for our amazing land and a new respect for Mother Nature and all that she represents.

It’s a digital world for a new generation and our biggest challenge as 21st century parents appears to be finding a way to prise their eyes up from Pokemon and out to the world beyond the couch.

It’s not just about coming down a Highland gorge in a rubber suit; the adventure leaders here in Perthshire are passionate about the outdoors, bursting with enthusiasm and just waiting to give your child a sense of adventure.

Cross over into the countryside of Perthshire and you will find that challenge has all but been solved for you. Rolling hills, craggy canyons and rivers that run white with excitement will stimulate even the most hardcore of gamer. After all, what could possibly be better than starring in your own fast-paced, adrenalin-fuelled adventure complete with special tools, kick-ass costumes and the slightly heightened risk of a bruised shin?

Perthshire’s vast and open outdoor playground has entertained the most thrill-seeking of adults for many a year and with these avid adventurers now grown up and raising families of their own, it was only a matter of time before the best of these activities crossed over to become child-friendly.

Your kids are going to learn how to keep themselves safe, how to build a campfire, spot an adder and look after the natural habitat around them – all IRL! (That’s ‘In Real Life’ for the nonshorthand-speakers amongst you!)”

Biscuit, the man behind Wee Adventures in Aberfeldy had this to say: “Kids are basically sponges for adventure and are far more willing to take on the challenge of being outdoors than a lot of adults. Once they’re kitted out and they know what to do and how to keep themselves safe they can’t wait to get going. They want to be let loose, to be given the freedom of the wide open spaces and the chance to explore things they may not ordinarily get to do.

It’s thrilling for them!”

OUTDOOR FUN FOR FAMILIES

ACTIVE KIDS

activekidsadventurepark.co.uk

Burnside Farm, Stanley, PH1 4QB 01738 827286 ctive Kids Adventure Park continues to grow year-onyear encouraging outdoor play for the whole family.

2017 sees the exciting development of their new 18m pirate ship with climbing nets, slides and swings.

Other activities available include the ‘Adventure Fort’, trampolines, crazygolf, go-karting and indoor soft play (for under 7’s only).

The coffee shop offers delicious home baking and light lunches and is open to everyone whether or not they’ve come to play!

Daily classes for both kids and adults are available, and you’re welcome to book in advance or phone to enquire about the current programme. A visit to their fantastic toy and gift shop completes your visit!

11 advertorial

WEE ADVENTURES weeadventures.com

sarah@weeadventures.com Aberfeldy, 07780 675859 efresh family dynamics, share new experiences, unplug and embrace your spirit of adventure! Enjoy canoeing, biking, climbing, abseiling, tree climbing, slacklining, bush craft or forest play adventures and be inspired by Biscuit’s unique enthusiasm for all things outdoors.

Let them entertain your kids with their school holiday activity days, a brilliant birthday party or their adventure and bike clubs. No two days are ever the same and we promise to return kids muddy, tired and happy!

It’s not all about the little people, they also offer private trips for families, friends and groups as well as adventure sports coaching. The combination of Highland Perthshire’s spectacular outdoor environment and Biscuit’s passion for coaching is a P.S. You will have to ask Biscuit where his name comes from, nobody tells the story better! recipe for a great day out.

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KEEP AMUSED IN ALL WEATHERS

LIVE ACTIVE LEISURE liveactive.co.uk

Venues throughout Highland Perthshire, Strathearn, Perth City, Kinross, Blairgowrie. All within 40 mins of Perth City Centre. ive Active Leisure has a fantastic choice of sports and fitness venues across Perthshire and Kinross offering pools, gyms, sports halls and outdoor multi-use pitches. An ideal choice when the weather isn’t our friend!

Kids will love to be dropped off at one of their Holiday Hero sessions, or you can enjoy the fun together with a sportshall booking or family swimming session.

The award-winning summer Holiday Hero programme offers more than 100 fantastic activities; from single sessions, to day or week long camps.

Choose from traditional sports such as swimming, cricket, football and gymnastics or go for something new and try your hand at canoeing, iceskating or climbing.

FOR ART SAKE forartsake.info

10 Angus Road, Scone, PH2 6QU 01738 552187 his lovely bright studio with helpful staff is the perfect place for painting your own pottery, whether it be for a unique keepsake, present or treat for the kids.

Don’t panic if you’re not artistic, they pride themselves on helping you to achieve the best results and will advise with colours, designs and the finishing touches.

Workshops are available for adults and children, with step by step instructions, using all the up to date techniques and products.

Prices start from £8 and with the choices being from fairies to fruit bowls there will be something to appeal to all ages from kids to adults.

Head along to see what they offer – the time will fly, your kids will have fun, and so will you! Booking is advisable.

FAMILY HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

FUN JUNCTION funjunctiontoys.com

255 Old High Street, Perth, PH1 5QN 01738 444222 traditional toy shop with an extensive range covering old favourites to modern games, puzzles, science kits, arts and crafts, construction and surprises. They believe in the importance of learning through play, and the friendly staff will help you find the perfect gift or keepsake from your holiday in Perthshire! No one is ever too old to play and their selection of toys will

help families to discover and explore their surroundings.

Classic toys never go out of style; after all a puzzle linked with a new film or TV show is still a jigsaw. Fun Junction aren’t afraid to try new things either, scouring the toy catalogues in search of toys that spark children’s imaginations and perhaps teach them a thing or two along the way.

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www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk 175 High Street, Perth. PH1 5UN 01738 444891

oJo Maman Bébé has grown to be the UK’s leading mother and baby specialist. JoJo offers competitively priced, fashionable maternity wear, adorable but practical baby and children’s clothing and a comprehensive collection of nursery products to cover the time from pregnancy to pre-school.

Their clothing is all designed inhouse, in true quirky British style with a French nautical twist. They are the one-stop shop for discerning parents with children aged 0-6.

With 80 stores in the UK, their friendly and welcoming teams are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and are trained to offer advice on weaning, potty training and can offer free maternity bra fittings. There’s also a colouring corner to keep children entertained while you shop as well as nappy changing facilities to offer a stress free experience.

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JOJO MAMAN BEBE

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MEET THE YURT MAKER icture yourself standing in the tranquil surroundings of Highland Perthshire; the early evening Scottish sun, warm on your face, a soft breeze whispering through the trees and only the sounds of the birds breaking the silence. Behind you, as dusk approaches, a simple Kyrgyzstani Yurt beckons you into its warm, spiritual centre for another night beneath the moon and stars.

Peaceful, magical and truly at one with nature this is the vision that Perthshire man Dave Walker has conjured up in his imagination and then dutifully crafted using his new-found skills, the trees from the land around him and equal measures of both patience and passion.

You see, Dragonfly Yurts are not only one of Perthshire’s most idyllic accommodation providers, but they are also created entirely by hand by Dave himself. Inspired by his wife Jennie to try a Yurt-making workshop with the aim of building one for her 50th birthday, DIY enthusiast Dave discovered an altogether more creative side to his practical talents and as his passion grew, so do did his determination to make more of it.

Upon completing her gift, Dave announced to his wife that he was leaving his job as a paramedic in Pitlochry to try his hand at Yurt-making.

“Some might have thought it was a bit of a mid-life crisis. It’s a big change after being a paramedic for 20 years.

I’ve always had an artistic and creative side to me so I love my new job.”

After a year of working from home, he knew it was time to expand, so he set up camp just a few miles outside of Pitlochry. Each Yurt is built entirely from hand, the wooden beams carved from the Douglas Fir and oak trees which grow on the hill directly behind his workshop.

A short trip to the mill and back means that the wood he uses never travels more than a couple of hundred yards before he begins the slow and careful

I’ve always had an artistic and creative side to me process of cutting, planing, steaming and shaping it into the beautifully carved beams that make up the frame of his Yurts.

Dave has now built six Yurts ranging from 12ft to 26ft, with plans afoot to create a super-sized 36ft Yurt in the near future.

His basic design follows that of the Yurts common in Kyrgyzstan with the interlocking of the round, lattice walls and deep, curved, dome of the roof giving his structures both strength and beauty.

At the top of each Yurt is a circular skylight, traditionally left open to bring the Yurt’s inhabitants a little closer to nature.

As well as building commissions for clients hoping to have their own spiritual retreat, Dave and Jennie hire

the Yurts out for parties, events and weddings. Dave delivers the Yurt, sets it up and brings any extras you might want to make your experience complete. Think wood-burning stove with handmade tiled hearth, a fire pit with local logs, fairy lights, handmade Indian stools, traditional wall hangings and handwoven wool jute rugs. It is the ultimate in bohemian chic.

Jennie now uses her original Yurt as a treatment space and for carrying out yoga and meditation classes but it was a commission to build a holiday let for a client in Bridge of Earn that got Dave’s entrepreneurial spirit going again.

“My client in Bridge of Earn rents hers out through Air BnB and I got

to thinking that was something we could do ourselves. I’ve now built one out at the back of our house – it’s a self-catering Yurt, ideal for couples looking to get away and relax. It has its own little area with purpose-built “tea-shack” for cooking meals, as well as private shower and toilet facilities.”

The self-catering Yurt had only just launched when we caught up with Dave but he’d already had his first guests with bookings coming in thick and fast. The Yurt can comfortably sleep two people, and has a wood burning stove to keep it cosy when it’s feeling a bit fresh outside at night.

There’s now no stopping Dave, who has an ambitious plan to create a glamping site on small piece of land adjacent to his workshop. Over the next year he’s committed to building an additional five Yurts which he will rent as individual units or as a group for larger parties and families looking to explore the area.

Situated in the hills of Highland Perthshire, glampers will wake up to what is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking views in Scotland; overlooking the beautiful town of Pitlochry, down the River Tummel and across to Ben Vrackie, this will be Dave’s own little slice of Scottish Nirvana.

“There’s something really satisfying about working with raw materials to produce something that brings so much joy to others. Spending my days working up in the hill, among the trees - the whole environment is really a breath of fresh air. It really draws that artistic side out of me and

I absolutely love working with my hands in a more old-fashioned kind of way.

It’s a joy for me coming to work everyday, doing something I love to do in an environment so peaceful.

Not many people get to come to work in such a beautiful setting every day - I am very grateful that I can!”

If you’re looking for something a little different and would like to experience Highland Perthshire from a closeto-nature base then we’d highly recommend Dragonfly Yurts - check out AirBnB or call Dave to book.

You can also hire a Yurt, which fits neatly into a small trailer, for transporting elsewhere. Yurt hire prices for 3 days/nights are shown below. These include set up and dismantling, groundsheets, Indian Coir full floor covering and fire safety equipment.

12ft Diameter - £375 Fits 12 standing / 2 sleeping 16ft Diameter - £500 Fits 28 standing / 6 sleeping 26ft Diameter - £875 Fits 70 standing / 50 dining Handmade indian furnishings, woodburning stoves, logs, peat, delivery and even fairy lights can also be included for the full Yurt experience. Visit the Dragonfly Yurts website for more information:

www.dragonfly-yurts.co.uk

If You Do One Thing Get your groove on at Southern Fried Festival Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th July Various Venues, Perth City Centre The award-winning Southern Fried Festival celebrates ten years this summer and to mark the occasion it will bring four days of outstanding live music to Perth City Centre. The bill includes two ambitious one-off concerts – a celebration of the ground-breaking genius of Chuck Berry anchored by Andy Fairweather Low and a stunning collection of artists in North Star: Scotland Sings Canada. Other highly regarded songwriters topping the bill include Nick Lowe, Loudon Wainwright III, Chuck Prophet, Angaleena Presley and Ags Connolly. The free stage packed full of local talent will entertain the masses on Perth Concert Hall Plaza from Friday tea time through Saturday and Sunday.

Walk Between the North and South lnches All Year Round Perth City Centre Start at South Inch Park where you can stroll across the duck pond bridge before crossing Tay Street and onto the footpath of the Railway Bridge. Once on the far side, take the path into Norrie-Millar Walk where you will enjoy the famous Perth City Art Trail, heather collection and fantastic Millais’ Viewpoint - arguably the best selfie opportunity in the city! From here curve left down to the riverside, passing under Queens Bridge and following the Norie-Miller Riverside Walk onto Commercial Street in Perth’s Bridgend. Turn left, and left again to cross Perth Bridge where you are just a few hundred metres from North Inch Park.

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at ActiviTAY Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th July The North Inch, Perth Perth is getting active! During this fun-packed weekend, Perth will be full of activities encouraging all of us to get out and enjoy the fabulous North Inch Park.

Saturday brings the Ultim8 Warrior Kids’ Obstacle Course to the city, where there are options for children of all ages to get involved. Sunday sees the return of Cancer Research’s Race for Life with an all-new family 5k as well as the traditional 10k race. Mountain bike tours (booking essential) and a pump track at Horsecross Plaza will be running throughout the weekend.

Pop Down the Rabbit Hole Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September Scone Palace, Perth Visit Wonderland right here in Perthshire with this magical two-day event set in the beautiful grounds of the five-star Scone Palace. Performed by the wonderful Perth based Ad Lib Theatre Group, you’re certain to be dazzled with a host of curious surprises and madcap adventures!

Meet the marvellous Alice, watch out for the Queen of Hearts and keep your cool as you encounter the mesmerising Cheshire Cat. Make sure you book to join one of the Mad Hatter’s tea parties - just be careful not to sample too much of the Eat Me cake! Storytelling and fun at the Palace for all ages.

Visit the Strange Scottish Winery Open All Summer Cairn O’ Mohr, Errol, Perth Set in amongst the rich fields and the hedge fringed country roads of the Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, there’s this strange Scottish winery. Since 1987 Cairn O’ Mohr Winery has been brewing up juicy-fruity, berry loaded, blossom scented, leafy layered, award winning country wines, using the berries for which the area is famous, wild flowers, fruits and leaves.

They run scheduled winery tours every Wednesday and Sunday at 2.15pm from the 1st April through to the end of October. The tour lasts one hour and is fully accessible by wheelchair, as is their winery shop and Alibob Cafe.

Take a Theatre Break in Pitlochry May – October 2017 Pitlochry Festival Theatre The award-winning Pitlochry Festival Theatre is one of the UKs only remaining traditional reps, producing and performing six excellent shows each summer season. This year’s offering includes High Society, Mary Rose, People, Absurd Person Singular, The Ruling Class and Europe.

Played in daily rotation, you can see a different show every day, with two on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Book into one of Pitlochry’s many fantastic accommodation providers and spend a few glorious days soaking up the culture and enjoying the talents of this year’s resident cast.

More Like This: smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk ‘What’s On’ section Visit our fantastic online magazine for the full low-down on Perthshire’s summer events and best attractions. From live music gigs in our favourite wee pubs, to big sporting spectacles and family days out we’ve got everything covered!

While you’re there, make sure to check out our directory to find the very best in unique independent shops, restaurants, pubs and accomodation providers.

Loved by locals and an invaluable source of info for visitors to the area, this is the only guide you’ll need to the Small City with the Big Personality.

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SOLAS FESTIVAL

18 he rise and rise of the UKs music festival scene has been one of the most seismic cultural shifts of recent years.

Take yourself back just a decade to the mid noughties and there were around 200 festivals all of which were centred around music, booze and a good time.

Fast forward to 2017 and you’ll find a staggering 250+ music festivals happening across the UK between April and September. Not only that but as the party people of the nineties have grown up and had children of their own, the focus has shifted to encompass events that are family friendly, that care as much about good food as they do potent booze and that bring a mixture of politics, lifestyle and spirituality to the occasion.

23-25 June

At The Bield, Tibbermore, near Perth solasfestival.co.uk

Billed as Scotland’s midsummer festival of ideas, music, literature and performance, Solas Festival here in Perthshire has perfectly harnessed the momentum of this modernera festival vibe. Their programme is broad and inclusive, and their determination to create a space where everyone will feel comfortable is at the heart of their rigorous planning. Now in their third year, they believe that “regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality, political stance, religious belief (or lack thereof), musical taste, dress sense or any of the other things which make human beings gloriously diverse, people are made to feel welcome.”

With one of the most stunning locations on the festival calendar – the entire event takes place in the beautiful steadings and fields of The Bield at Blackruthven near Perth – Solas 2017 is set to be their biggest and highest-profile programme to date. The theme of ‘Home’ ties neatly into the area’s bid for City of Culture 2021 and will include leading acts from genres as varied as indie rock, folk and world music; think Lau, called the best live band in the country

by The Guardian. James Kelman, a Booker Prize winning Scottish novelist, playwright David Greig (director of the Lyceum in Edinburgh) and Mercury Prize nominee C Duncan are just a few of this year’s highlights.

In the ideas corner, the team haven’t shied away from tackling the big issues. Falling just two weeks after the General Election, the encouraging programme of discussion will culminate in the Sunday Herald’s Big

Debate - chaired by BAFTA nominated journalist Neil Mackay - and will focus on ‘Britain’s Borders’, considering what might become of us postBrexit, international co-operation, and migration. Add to this, talks from Andy Wightman around land reform and Professor Alison Phipps, Glasgow University’s UNESCO Chair, on the current refugee crisis and you will find plenty of opportunity for laying to waste any of the current #alternativefacts out there!

Families will find an outstanding welcome - The Herald named Solas the “most child-friendly festival in Scotland” – with plenty of workshops and activities to keep all ages entertained running alongside opportunities for older kids to get stuck in to the music, talks and activities together. Check out our family review from 2016 on:

smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk

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MAKE A DAY OF IT

GLENDOICK GARDEN CENTRE glendoick.com

Glendoick, Glencarse, Perthshire, PH2 7NS 01738 860260 stablished in 1973 as a family owned garden centre, Glendoick is now one of the area’s favourite destinations for a leisurely day out.

At its heart, it remains a haven for plant enthusiasts but it has grown in both size and reputation to ensure a wonderful shopping experience for everyone.

Visit the clothing department, browse the wonderful food hall, pick up a gift or join in with one of the many fantastic events for children and adults. Whatever your reason for visiting, do make sure you stop for lunch or a coffee in their excellent award-winning café.

June 10th & 11th: The Summer Fete Weekend welcomes in the Glendoick Beach, Summer Tasting Event and sees the launch of their brand new playpark. More details online.

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POTFEST www.potfest.co.uk Scone Palace June 9th, 10th & 11th

cone Palace will once again host Scotland’s largest ceramics art event. Over 70 ceramics artists from throughout the UK and as far afield as Portugal, Holland and France will be selling their work.

Following on from the success of the BBC’s show “The Great British Throw Down” there will be demonstrations, master classes and hands on activities throughout the weekend.

Offering a visual feast of creative talent, it gives visitors the opportunity to get inspired whilst meeting & buying from some of the UK’s finest ceramic artists.

The work will range from traditional domestic wear to contemporary sculpture, large pieces for the garden to delicate jewellery, figurative and animal sculpture to functional home ware.

Entry to the show includes access to the Palace’s grounds and gardens Adults - £5.50 Accompanied Children - free

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VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

SCONE PALACE scone-palace.co.uk

Perth, Perth and Kinross, PH2 6BD 01768 552300 cone Palace is one of Scotland’s most iconic and popular visitor attractions, with an array of unique, historic and cultural experiences within it’s extensive grounds Find the famous white peacock of Scone, play hide-and-seek in the Murray Star Maze, relax and enjoy the view in the Pinetum, let the kids burn off steam in the huge adventure playground or browse the food and gift shops.

Head to the Old Kitchen Coffee Shop to enjoy fresh, homemade produce and delicious lunches using ingredients from their own kitchen garden.

Go to page 2 to see the programme of exciting events over summer 2017.

SCOTTISH CRANNOG CENTRE www.crannog.co.uk

Kenmore, Loch Tay, Aberfeldy PH15 2HY 01887 830583 he Iron Age team at the Scottish Crannog Centre are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

Visitors to the unique, iconic thatched roundhouse in Loch Tay will find expert guides in period clothing, exhibits and hands-on ancient skills that bring the past to life. Dress up, try woodworking, textiles and more, and have a go at making fire without matches.

A celebratory series of wow-factor events perfect for all the family is lined up but the one not to miss is: The Celts Are Coming! This interactive weekend of August 5th-6th features a spectacular living history fair and Iron Age artisan village, sword-making, iron forging, hide-tanning, cooking and other crafts plus try paddling a dugout canoe, archery, spearthrowing and more. Simply the best family day out, ever!

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Port-Na-Craig Road, Pitlochry, Perth & Kinross, PH16 5DR 01796 484626 et into the hills of Highland Perthshire, the award-winning PFT is as famous for its unique, picture-perfect surroundings as it is for its large scale productions and ambitious programming.

This summer, it’s once again producing and performing six excellent shows, all of which are played in daily rotation; see a different show every day, with two on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

This year’s flagship musical, the exuberant High Society, has all the trademark PFT production values that audiences have come to expect.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Well, Did You Evah! are just two of the fabulous Cole Porter numbers guaranteeing yet another thrilling theatrical season at PFT.

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BIRNAM ARTS Station Road, Birnam, Perth and Kinross, PH8 0DS 01350 727674 he Birnam Arts Centre is a delightful multi-purpose arts and entertainment venue encompassing the fantastic Foyer Cafe, Potter’s Junction Gift Shop and the Beatrix Potter Exhibition. Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the complementary WiFi.

Upstairs you can view their monthly art exhibitions, often featuring local artists, before visiting the gift shop to purchase a unique gift for loved ones or yourself.

Over the summer months there’s a varied arts programme including live music, theatre, comedy and children’s workshops. Visit their website to find out what’s on and book tickets.

Pick up a piece of Perthshire Perth City is home to a fabulous array of independent shops ensuring you will find many of the unique designs and local produce from the talented artisans of Perthshire.

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Acorn Pendant £35 Small acorns from the great oak tree on the North Inch, cast in bronze by silversmith Linda.

Buy in: Byers & Co 50 George Street, Perth

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Scone Palace Jam £4.50 Handmade with love using rhubarb grown in the kitchen garden.

Buy in: Scone Palace Food Shop Scone Palace, Perth Bean Shop Blend £5.25 Roasted on the premises using Indonesian and South American coffee beans.

Buy in: The Bean Shop 67 George Street, Perth

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Persie Gin £27 Distilled by hand in Bridge of Cally with the aim of stimulating your senses.

Buy in: Provender Brown 23 George Street, Perth Fun Makes Good Clock £35 Colourful geometrics designed and created in Eleanor Young’s Perthshire studio.

Buy in: Boo Vake 5 Watergate, Perth

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The Perth Gift Card £5 - 5000!

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An ideal pressie or souvenir for lovers of all things Perth, with over 80 quality retailers, visitor attractions, restaurants and bars all now accepting this fantastic little card.

Your lucky recipient can enjoy a perfectly mixed cocktail, treat themselves to a pamper or pick up the latest on-trend fashions; the choice is entirely theirs!

Buy in: Fun Junction on the Old High Street, Alba Plus on St John Street or online at:

perthcard.co.uk

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Highland Coo Sculpture £425 A bonny coo hand sculpted by Julian in his Perth City workshop.

Buy in: Julian Jardine Gallery 45 New Row, Perth Julie Goring Painting £350 Perth City artist Julie Goring’s, Wrapped People - Sailor’s Song, Acrylic on Gesso.

Buy in: Frames Gallery 10 Victoria Street, Perth Chardon Macarons £1 each Traditional French macarons, handmade fresh every day by Herve and the team.

Buy in: Duo Restaurant & Deli 2 Princes Street, Perth

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Sausage Dog Cushion £35 Just a small slice of Sarah Peterson’s funky interiors collection designed in Perth City.

Buy in: Sarah’s Attic 42 Princes Street, Perth

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Scotch Pie 95p This much-loved secret recipe saw Murrays lift the World Champion Scotch Pie trophy in 2015.

Buy in: Murrays The Bakers 114 South Street, Perth

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Summer Harvest Rapeseed Oil £9.80 per Litre Farmed, pressed and bottled in Perthshire for a power-punch of nutritional goodness.

Buy in: George Campbell & Sons Whitefriars Street, Perth

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Handmade Glass Platter £30-40 This beautiful blue dish is one of a colourful collection by Ritzy Glass based in Kinross.

Buy in: Silver Linings Design Studio, 13 High Street, Perth

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SHAKEN & STIRRED

In Perth City

here is something wonderfully Scottish about a piece-bagger.

Just the name gives you a little frisson of excitement as you leave the house at 8am knowing you won’t be returning for at least 12 hours. For the non-Scots among you, a piecebagger involves heading out straight from work or a day’s sight-seeing, piece-bag (or lunch box) still in hand.

The anticipation builds and as 4pm comes and goes you know you’re only an hour away from the largest decision of the day… what cocktail shall I have first?! Tick-tock goes the clock counting down to the moment you grab your coat and your pals and run faster than Usain at the 100m final as you hurl yourself towards the pub.

Having heard about Rocablu’s new cocktail menu #TeamSmallCity decided this would make the perfect review for our summer mag; everybody loves a good cocktail after all! Heads buzzing with thoughts of martinis, zombies and Mr Tom Collins we were keen to discover for ourselves the buzz behind their new approach to mixing drinks. Think top quality spirits with fresh fruit and dry ice to produce – and I quote – ‘the best cocktails in town.’

We arrive at 6pm to a big, warm welcome from Cameron, Rocablu’s mixologist and all-round cool guy. He regales us of stories from life in the Caribbean and learning his craft in a variety of Scottish bars and pubs and with the heady combination of chat, music and all day long anticipation we agree to be wowed (I say agreed like there was any persuasion needed) by his choice of twelve different cocktails. (Nicki was on the mocktails – someone had to take notes!).

I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to good cocktails; the idea that you can use a pre-mix frozen sachet and top it up with cheap Glen’s vodka to call it a cocktail is not one I agree with.

I’m with James Bond and Delboy on this matter. They should be mixed to order, using quality spirits, fresh fruits and umbrellas where required. I want the theatre of a skilled mixologist shaking my drinks, a quick taste test using a straw to make sure they’ve nailed it before pouring into a beautiful glass, serving it up on a tray and adding a final flourish of décor to make my heart really soar.

So, did Cameron bring us a cocktail A-Game? Yes. Yes he did! Dry ice spilling from cafetiers, huge glass

skulls full of zombie drinks and popping candy atop bubblegum daiquiris – and that was just for starters! Squeals of delight went up as he turned the corner with his pornstar martini and heads huddled together in glee as we gathered round to share this GIANT cocktail.

Although famed for their cocktails, Rocablu still do a great selection of gins, beers and spirits and they’ve really gone all out on the quality.

Think table service for drinks and made-to-order cocktails for a truly great bar experience. It’s a bit like a Guinness – if you want something that tastes good, it’s worth the wait.

With that he pours me another mocktail – elderflower with fresh berries and mint leaves – and gets to work on a pot of tea that contains Absolut Raspberry, Teichenne Peach Schnapps, strawberry puree and dry ice flooding from the spout. I’ve come over all Alice in Wonderland – the only question is, which of my cohorts is the maddest of the hatters?

RocaBlu serves their amazing handmade cocktails every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm onwards.

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THE GREAT PERTHSHIRE PICNIC here is something wonderfully heart-warming about lots of people coming together to break bread and eat. In our fast paced, hectic lives, it can become all too easy to snack on the go, eat ready-meals from your knee and scoff down liquid calories in the form of an energy drink.

Last year we all enjoyed the inaugural Great Perthshire Picnic (GPP) and following its rip-roaring success, the second outing for this wonderful event looks set to be even bigger and better.

The brainchild of Perth’s leading social enterprise, Giraffe Trading, ‘The Picnic’ as its come to be known has secured the involvement of a whole host of Perthshire foodie businesses so that Here’s Our Top Five Must Visit Events we can all join in a huge month long (although we suspect we may be at many, many more!) celebration.

1. SOLAS Festival – visitors to the festival can experience an ACTUAL picnic and Championing the best local produce dine al fresco from a hamper filled with lots of goodies from all over Perthshire and home-grown talent you’re going (Hampers can be purchased online in advance of the event or by calling Giraffe to find events as diverse as our local Café). larder itself. From street food to gin tasting, bread-making to fish-trying, 2. Pop Ups @ Ladeside – foodies will be treated to culinary delights from all our advice is to invest in a pair of over the world, made using our fantastic local produce! Look out for the Syrian elastic-waisted trousers, tuck in your Banquet on 8th September and a South African Braai (date TBC)! bib and get out there.

3. Indian Cook School – Local award-winning chef Praveen Kumar is offering Gareth Ruddock, Giraffe Trading hands-on training using quality local produce. Praveen will guide you through CEO, has been overwhelmed by the his authentic dishes and spices from his home in South India – a spicy one! involvement of local businesses and chefs, here’s what he had to say when 4. Perhaps you prefer a wee tipple? Excel Wines will have you covered! Keron we caught up with him. “Nationally and and her team are hosting tastings and events all month to whet your thirst. internationally, Perthshire is regarded as being a food and drink heaven – 5. Great Perthshire Picnic Launch Event, 2nd September! Hosted in Perth City we have such an array of producers Centre, expect outstanding street food, drinks and live entertainment! all full of passion and dedication. We are pleased to be working with lots of All in all, it’s set to be a delicious month! Keep an eye on the Perthshire Picnic these wonderful producers, distillers, website which is packed full of all the event’s details and fantastic foodie deals brewers, chefs and more to deliver an and offers: greatperthshirepicnic.uk amazing event for 2017.”

Giraffe are working on the Picnic now so there’s still time to get involved and host an event, activity or special occasion included in the Great Perthshire Picnic 2017. For more information email info@greatperthshirepicnic.uk

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26 PERSIE GIN DISTILLERY persiedistillery.com

Glenshee Road, Bridge of Cally, Perthshire, Scotland PH10 7LQ 01250 886798

ersie Distillery at the foot of Glenshee is a new tourist hotspot for gin lovers! Visit their family-run steading-turneddistillery and see for yourself how Persie Gin unlocks the taste buds through your sense of smell. Handcrafted in small batches, the three aromatic gins are Zesty Citrus; Herby; and Sweet & Nutty.

The magic happens in the former Persie Hotel, where each gin is distilled, bottled and labelled on site. Just a 40-minute drive from Pitlochry, Perth, Dundee, Braemar or Dunkeld, the distillery is on the A93 – the highest public road in the UK and the main tourist route from Perth to Aberdeenshire. It is open Saturdays Thursdays from 12 noon to 6pm with free samples for every visitor.

Their unique value proposition has to be smell! With 75% of flavour down to smell, we all know that a cracking gin needs more than a nice taste. It needs aroma! So Persie Gin taps right into that, with each of their gins designed to stimulate your sense of smell up front. And, as scent is hot-wired to the emotional centre of your brain, just a simple sniff of Persie Gin can cause a flood of warm and fuzzy feelings.

THE STRAWBERRY SHOP thestrawberryshop.co

Scones Lethendy Farm, Blairgowrie Road, Perth, PH2 6AB 07710 462149 he Strawberry Shop is a seasonal, family run farm shop and flower garden, specialising in delicious food sourced from Perthshire’s plentiful, natural larder.

They are renowned locally for their juicy and flavoursome strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, currants and vegetables which are all grown on the farm. Look out for their fantastic homemade jams and freezer fruit

packs, ideal for smoothies and jam making of your own.

They proudly stock some of Scotland’s best ingredients sourced directly from their fellow farmers’ market producers. West Coast fish, Fifeshire meat, local heather honey, seriously good home baking, locally baked breads, award-winning ice creams and much more. Open 9am-5.30pm every day from Easter to October.

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FOOD & DRINK IN PERTHSHIRE

BROADSLAP FRUIT FARM broadslapfruitfarm.co.uk Dunning, Perthshire, PH2 0QL 01738 730242 roadslap is a small family run fruit farm nestling within the Earn valley in the shelter of the Ochil hills in rural Perthshire. The locale is renowned for its lush, high quality vegetables and soft fruit.

Raspberries are their speciality!

During the summer season you’ll find delicious strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants growing abundantly and you should take the chance to pick your own from the bountiful harvest.

The farm shop cafe, open all year round, uses their fresh produce to prepare a delicious range of wholesome lunches and tasty soups.

Make sure to try one of the famous breakfasts or celebration cakes. A warm welcome and amazing views await you.

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THE FAMOUS GROUSE EXPERIENCE experience.thefamousgrouse.com

Glenturret Distillery, The Hosh, Crieff, PH7 4HA 01764 656565 ake a trip to Scotland’s oldest working distillery and discover how whisky is made entirely by hand using the same tools and traditions as when Glenturret Distillery first opened in 1775.

Whether you’re looking for a unique Tasting Experience, hoping to see where the whisky sleeps as part of their Warehouse Experience, or learning the art of making a malt with a Blending Experience, there are a host of whisky adventures to be had at The Famous Grouse Experience, located in the heart of Perthshire.

You’ll receive the Best Scottish Welcome in The Famous Shop and even get the chance to bottle your own whisky. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the award-winning café for a spot of afternoon tea before you leave!

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28 PARKLANDS HOTEL

theparklandshotel.com

2 St Leonard’s Bank, Perth PH2 8EB 01738 622451

arklands boutique hotel with dining offers an unbeatable combination of quality accommodation, two highly regarded restaurants and a stunning garden-terrace overlooking South Inch Park. This beautiful hotel, situated in a Georgian townhouse, has been refurbished to an exceptional standard; individually decorated bedrooms boast SMART tvs with 140 channels, free wi-fi as standard, DAB Radio with Bluetooth & USB charging and in-room tea and coffee. Bright, contemporary public rooms and a well-stocked bar make chilling out super easy!

Just a couple of minutes walk from the heart of Perth and a perfect base for exploring wider Perthshire.

The emphasis is on comfort and relaxation, fabulous food and friendly service providing an excellent guest experience.

TAYMOUTH MARINA taymouthmarina.com

Kenmore, Aberfeldy PH15 2HW 01887 830216

aymouth Marina offers visitors a truly unique experience on the banks of Loch Tay in pictureperfect Perthshire. For families and couples alike, it’s a destination that offers an enchanting blend of spellbinding scenery, modern accommodation and enough activities to keep everyone happy no matter how long your stay with us.

Stay in one of our tastefully-finished lochside apartments or cottages – with private hot tubs - and immerse yourself in true relaxation at The HotBox – our onsite lochside sauna.

We have a variety of watersport activities on the loch for everyone to enjoy during summer months.

Looking to explore? Our location in Kenmore makes us the ideal spot to take in all that Perthshire has to offer, from fascinating history and local culture to some of Scotland’s most captivating walks.

After a day of fun and adventure, relax with a drink or two at our outdoor bar, as the sun sets over the loch and flames dance from the fire pit. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to come to the view.

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ACCOMODATION IN PERTHSHIRE

THE LODGE AT PERTH RACECOURSE perthlodge.co.uk

Perth Racecourse, Park Pl, Perth PH2 6BB 01738 252466 he Lodge at Perth Racecourse boasts one of the area’s most enviable locations, nestled as it is between Scone Palace, Perth Racecourse and the River Tay. Opened in July 2016, The Lodge has quickly gained a reputation for offering fantastic value for money accommodation, tasty bar food and, most importantly, friendly staff who are ready and waiting to welcome you.

Situated just ten minutes drive away from the city centre but looking out over glorious countryside, you will find you have the best of both worlds when you choose to book into The Lodge. With 26 en-suite rooms, including 11 on the ground floor, this is an ideal choice for both large parties and couples looking to explore the area.

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FONAB CASTLE HOTEL & SPA fonabcastlehotel.com

Foss Rd, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5ND 01796 470140 onab Castle Hotel & Spa, a truly special, luxury 5-Star Scottish experience. Whether you are looking for an overnight stay, dinner in the 3 AA rosette ‘Sandemans’ restaurant, tasty delights using fine local produce in the Brasserie or afternoon tea in the informal lounge with stunning views overlooking Loch Faskally, Fonab has something for everybody.

Pamper yourself with a Spa Day at the Woodland Spa with one (or more) relaxing treatments or treat your nails to a fabulous manicure or pedicure at the nail salon. Immerse yourself in the relaxing Thermal suite with steam room, sauna and aroma relax room with eucalyptus and lavender or while away the hours in the 15 metre pool or their spa pool.

SCENIC PERTHSHIRE here is something truly magical about Perthshire’s diverse landscape; mountains, riverbanks and rolling fields sit side-byside with bustling cityscapes and fine Scottish architecture and bring a sense of belonging to those who are willing to stop, take stock and look around.

These glorious scenes captured by some of our favourite local photographers, perfectly conjure up that joyous feeling of home.

Header: Ian Potter drove to Glen Quaich under the cover of darkness to capture this stunning astro-landscape.

Above: Gordon Muir shot this moody sunset silhouette of two fishermen on the banks of the River Tay, near Woody Island.

Left: Ian’s daughter relaxes further upstream on the banks of the Tay, near Luncarty, reading her favourite book.

Ian Potter is one half of the photography duo, PK Perspective. website: www.pkperspective.co.uk Instagram: @pkperspective

Above: Kristy Ashton captures a misty atmosphere in the woods near Dunkeld. @kristyashton

Right: Gill Murray took a break from shooting stunning food photos to snap this view from a bench on Moncreiffe Hill. @gmmphotography

Below: Jack Carmichael found the perfect light to photograph “still”, the Loch Earn sculpture by artist Rob Mullholland. @jack.carm

Send us your favourite shot of Scenic Perthshire and you could feature in our Friday Facebook slot, #SmallCityScenes. We’ll award a £50 Perth Gift Card each month to the image with the most likes and shares.

Email to hello@smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk.

SUMMER EVENTS IN PERTHSHIRE 23rd - 25th June // Solas Festival 1st - 2nd July // Scottish Game Fair 8th - 9th July // ActiviTAY Weekend 17th July - 30th July // Soldiers of Killiecrankie Festival 27th - 30th July // Southern Fried Festival 4th - 5th August // Perth Show 12th August // Perth Medieval Fayre 13th August // Perth Highland Games 20th August // Perth Military Tattoo 2nd - 3rd September // Mary Queen of Scots Festival September // Great Perthshire Picnic 10th September // Perth Festival of Yarn For full event details and to find out what else is on in Perth City Centre and wider Perthshire visit

perthcity.co.uk

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