Our Top 5 Places to Visit in 2025
There’s so much to do in Perthshire that sometimes the amount of choice can actually make it hard to decide just what to do on a holiday or weekend outing. This can mean we end up doing something or going somewhere that we’ve been many times before and know we like.
There’s nothing wrong with this of course, but we may be missing out on new favourite things. Even Nathan and I, who have made it our business to explore Perthshire for the last 6 years, are still discovering new things, as shown by the first entry in this article!
So, let’s get into it—five of the places we most enjoyed visiting this year, to inspire you for 2025:
Branklyn Garden, Perth
This year was our first visit to Branklyn Garden, and suffice to say we loved it. We mainly wanted to see the Himalayan blue poppies, or meconopsis, for which the garden hosts the National Collection. Poppies are beautiful flowers anyway of course, with their big papery petals and delicately drooping heads, but when they’re also bright blue? Stunning.
My favourite part of the actual garden was probably the little waterfall and stream, surrounded by trees and plants, but there were loads of other things too. So many beautiful blooms, from the blowsy and flamboyant rhododendrons to the tiniest of shy little alpine flowers, there was colour and life everywhere.
Another highlight was tea and scones on the terrace, which has fabulous views over the rock garden, a fountain playing, and charming cups and saucers adding to the atmosphere. We recommended visiting in May or early June of you’d like to see the blue poppies.
Comrie
There’s so much to do in Comrie that I had trouble choosing just one thing for this article, so decided to just go for the place in general. The two biggest attractions must be the Deil’s Cauldron walk—a picturesque and not overly arduous climb to a spectacular waterfall—and the famous Drummond Castle Gardens, which is a favourite place of ours to spend half a day wandering around the formally laid out flowerbeds, paths and statues. Last time we were there a conveniently placed coffee van added to the experience.
The village of Comrie itself is also a great place for a look around and a coffee, and boasts some lovely independent shops. And we must mention Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, where we’ve spent many a happy afternoon enjoying being up close with the animals.
Den o’ Alyth
This is something of a hidden gem, to my mind every bit as beautiful as the Hermitage, admittedly in a less dramatic way and without the Instagram-able Ossian’s Hall. But if you like peaceful woodlands, charming bridges, and a slightly more friendly-looking burn, you’re sure to love this walk.
The same burn also runs through Alyth itself, which is a lovely little town, with some really interesting historical features, and some great spots for enjoying a coffee.
Dunkeld and Birnam
We love to explore the lovely independent shops and cafes that there’s such an abundance of in Dunkeld, all offering something different but delicious. The town has becoming something of a foodie paradise in recent years, and there’s something to suit all palates, with wines, smoked salmon, whiskies, pastries and breads available seemingly every few feet! There’s also lots of historical features, helpfully highlighted with blue plaques.
After your wander around the various shops and sights, there’s also some amazing local walks to choose from. The car park for the Hermitage and Pinecone Point is just up the road, or you can walk along the river itself. Another activity we can recommend that isn’t far away is a visit to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre to see the osprey (in summer) and other birdlife.
Birnam also mustn’t be forgotten, with the Beatrix Potter Garden and Exhibition, art centre, and the Birnam Oak.
Rannoch Station
For a day of sight-seeing from a car, it’s hard to beat the wild and wonderful drive down to Rannoch Station. Just getting to start of the road at the end of Loch Rannoch will take you through some spectator scenery, then the burn down the side is a good indication of things to come, beautiful but untamed, with massive boulders and tumbled water.
As you go, look out for the small dam, and also the ‘frog stone’. You’ll know it when you see it. A bit further along is a small loch, most notable for the stunning backdrop of the Glencoe hills behind.
When you finally get to the station, you’ll want to get out and have a wander around, stretch your legs, possibly see a train and maybe pay a visit to the Rannoch Station Tearoom if it’s open and they have space—it’s usually very busy over the spring and summer months. Alternatively, you may want to bring a picnic. If you’re going in summer though, be sure to take insect repellent and cover up!
Now, unless you’re taking the train, your only option is to turn around and go back again, but it does mean you get to admire the amazing scenery from the other direction. And of course, once you get back to the loch, you can go down the other side of it, looking out for the striking peak of Schiehallion in the distance.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through our 2025 recommendations and they’ve inspired you for your own days out! Is there any that you haven’t yet explored?
