Perth: Discover History, Art and Nature

Perth is a destination where Scottish history, art and time outdoors can be explored in different ways. For families, there are points of interest ranging from the Stone of Destiny to woodland trails, picnic spots and an interactive art area. You can shape your stay around your family’s interests: focusing on cultural history, exploring outdoors or alternating between the two.

Cultural History and Art in Perth

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is an ancient symbol of the Scottish monarchy and kingdom, housed at Perth Museum. The museum also explores 10,000 years of Scottish and world history, placing Perth and Kinross at the heart of Scotland’s story. Its scope therefore ranges from a specific royal symbol to a long historical perspective that is both regional and global.

Perth Art Gallery is home to one of the oldest public art collections in the United Kingdom. For families with children, the gallery offers Hands on Art, a dedicated interactive and playful area. The programme may change, so check the current arrangements before your visit. This provides two different ways to engage: exploring art history and enjoying a dedicated space for shared, playful discovery.

The Black Watch Castle and Museum presents more than 300 years of The Black Watch’s military history—from its formation in 1739 to its amalgamation in 2006. Visitors interested in military history will find a clear timeline spanning several centuries. Alongside Perth Museum and the art collection, this offers another perspective on history and culture.

Woodland Trails and Plant Collections

Trails on Kinnoull Hill wind through mature beech and pine forests. They are suitable for family outings and picnics. Kinnoull Hill also has an arboretum, a collection of trees. So the focus is not only on walking through the forest, but also on trees as a subject in their own right. Families can decide whether they want to spend their outing mainly on the trails or set aside time for a picnic.

Branklyn Garden is home to several National Collections of plants, including collections of Meconopsis and Cassiope. These named plant groups give garden enthusiasts a specific focus. Meconopsis and Cassiope are the garden’s distinctive plant themes, setting it apart from a more general nature outing. If you are interested in plants, these collections can add to your choice of experiences in Perth.

Art in the City and Choosing a Holiday Rental

The River Tay Public Art Trail offers a different way to engage with art than Perth Art Gallery. It starts and ends in Perth city centre and is wheelchair accessible. When planning your outings, you can choose between a gallery visit and an art trail connected to the urban landscape; the trails on Kinnoull Hill, in turn, focus on woodland and nature.

When looking for a holiday rental in Perth, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay. Would you like to set aside time for museums, the art collection and military history, or give greater emphasis to woodland trails, picnics and plant collections? You can also combine these interests. Choosing a clear focus can help you plan the pace of your holiday and then look for accommodation that suits your stay.

Discover more destinations: Luncarty, Comrie, Glencarse, Dunning, Stanley, Aberfeldy, Morenish, Dunkeld.

Return to the main travel overview: Perth And Kinross.