Most of our Artisans are in some way inspired of influenced by their home of Perthshire in what they create. We asked them to share some of their favourite places, walks and businesses in the area so you can give them a visit!
Best place for coffee and/or lunch:
Anna Malyon: Gloagburn farm shop is a great place to shop and the cafe is equally fab.
Claire Brownbridge: I always manage to combine a coffee and cake with a walk and probably my most visited place is Loch Leven's Larder.
Kate McLaughlin: Recent highlights include coffee and cake from Hinterland in Perth and lunch from Piece in Aberfeldy.
Libby Scott: My best two places for tea/coffee and a nice lunch is Stewart Tower Diary — I love their loose leaf tea and ice creams are delicious — and Aberfeldy Watermill — fab lunches followed by a good browse of the bookshop.
Jenny Charles: Best coffee in Pitlochry is found at the Escape Route. (Seconded by Derek Allan!)
Kerstin Robb: The Cataran Cafe or Flours in Meigle.
Best Walks:
Claire Brownbridge: One of my favourite and most frequent walks is to Rotmell Loch from the Cally car park behind Dunkeld. If I am feeling especially energetic I continue to Loch Ordie — I love the little row of cottages!
Cornelia Weinmann: My favourite walk is along the Sidlaws on the High Road south east of Kettins from Leys towards Newtyle —wonderful panoramic views of Strathmore and the glens.
Kerstin Robb: I love walking in the Den o’Alyth, Belmont and Bluebell Woods. Also, when I’ve more time and feel particularly energetic, the Cataran Trail from Alyth to Bridge of Cally and Glenisla.
Shonagh Moore: I love walking the dog in Taymount and Fivemile woods.
Katy Galbraith: My favourite place for a walk is a round trip starting at the parking in front of my house and workshop, along the cycle path on the railway track and back via the path along the river. The riverside is just magical and can blow away all my frustrations.
Jenny Charles: The Whin is beautiful and calming. I also enjoy the Cathedral at Dunkeld and a walk along the river to the Birnam oak.
Stewart Graham: The Den o’ Alyth for a short walk and visual inspiration.
Mairi Urquhart: The thing I love about my part of Perthshire is the circular walk that takes you to the shaky bridge in Glen Lednock, and back down past the Deil’s Cauldron. Just long enough to need a wee sandwich and flask but not so long that you need a soothing bath!
Derek Allan: I recommend Ailean Forest to the Pictish fort and steading.
Libby Scott: The Shielhill Path by Stanley, as it has panoramic views.
What’s a great historical day out?
Claire Brownbridge: Loch Leven Castle is a fantastic trip in the summer. A little boat takes you to the Island from Kinross and you can spend a lovely hour explore the shoreline and the castle itself.
Libby Scott: My favourite historic site is around Camserney, Dull and Fearnan. It's an area that my husband knows very well and it is jam packed with history that he tells me about.
Jenny Charles: The Hercules Gardens at Blair Atholl Castle is inspiring.
Stewart Graham: Glamis Castle & Glamis village are favourites of mine.
Derek Allan: Take your pick! Blair Castle, the Crannog Centre on Loch Tay…
Local Events:
Claire Brownbridge: A visit to the Game Fair at Scone Palace always features in my calendar in the summer. It is a great place to take your dog and soak in the country atmosphere.
Libby Scott: Potfest — I love walking around and seeing the diversity of ceramics and chatting to the makers.
Kerstin Robb: Braemar Night in Blairgowrie, though I miss the scurl of the bagpipes and the vast array of differing colours of tartan from the mass pipe bands that used to parade through the town on their way home from the Braemar Gathering.
Derek Allan: Blair Horse Trails and Pitlochry Games.
Special Occasions:
Claire Brownbridge: For a special occasion I don't think you can beat afternoon tea at Gleneagles — it is a really beautiful treat.
Kate McLaughlin: Dinner at Cafe Tabou in Perth.
Stewart Graham: Littles restaurant in Blairgowrie.
Derek Allan: For a special occasion — Fern Cottage or Fonab Castle, both in Pitlochry.
Jenny Charles: For a special occasion meal then it has to be the Loft restaurant in Bridge of Tilt.
Local Wildlife and Nature:
Kate McLaughlin: Red squirrels and beavers deserve a mention — I’ve not ever seen beaver, but both definitely make me more observant when I'm on a walk!
Gillian Hunt: Where we live we’re surrounded by hills and an abundance of nature. I love all the seasons too — although not keen on the power cuts, but love the the raw power of the storms.
Shonagh Moore: I love looking from my kitchen window and seeing deer in the field.
Stewart Graham: The forests around Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
Other Places to Visit:
Anna Malyon: Underneath the Arches is a vintage shop on Princes Street that is jam packed with all kinds of treasure. Two other mentions are the Tayberry Gallery and Boo Vake, both have gorgeous design led gifts and unique gems.
Derek Allan: Loch Tummel and the surrounding area makes a great day out.
Libby Scott: Aberfeldy is great for walks, lunches and views.
Claire Brownbridge: If I am heading out for the day I love exploring Glen Tilt and the walk back to Blair Atholl along the river, with the added bonus of being able to pop into the House of Bruar for a helping of their macaroni cheese on the way home.
Jenny Charles: The Birks at Aberfeldy — both the walk and the cinema!
Stewart Graham: Zip lining in Killicrankie (with the kids)!
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