Most of Perthshire is very rural with its main town being Perth. Perth was once the Capital of Scotland before the title was bestowed on Edinburgh in 1437 after the murder of James 1 in the Blackfriars monastery in Perth. Heading north to the Highlands, via the main A9 trunk road, the drive goes through beautiful wooded countryside amidst rolling hills. Off the road, Dunkeld is a historic little town on the banks of the river Tay with a cathedral, partly ruined, dating back to the 13th century and many restored old houses from the 17th century. The nearby Loch of the Lowes is a wildlife reserve.
North of Dunkeld the road leads to Pitlochry which abounds with woollen and tartan shops and is a popular stopping place for tourists. Here you can visit the theatre or a newly planted garden featuring the introductions of some of the famous Scottish plant hunters.

Blair Castle at Blair Atholl
To the west of Pitlochry are the Perthshire lochs Tay, Tummel and Rannoch, each one quite different, set in beautiful mountain scenery. Visit the little town of Aberfeldy and the village of Fortingall, with its thatched cottages and a yew tree in the churchyard which is estimated to be over 3000 years old. Beyond Pitlochry, the road continues towards the Highlands through increasingly wild and desolate mountains before dropping down again into Speyside.