Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Castle Menzies
(
www.menzies.org
;
adult/child £6/2.50; 10.30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 2-5pm Sun Apr-mid-
Oct)
About 1.5 miles west of Aberfeldy, by the B846, Castle Menzies is the impressive re-
stored 16th-century seat of the chief of the clan Menzies (
ming
-iss). The Z-plan tower
house is magnificently located against a backdrop of Scottish forest. Inside it reeks of au-
thenticity, despite extensive restoration work and is a highly recommended visit. Check
out the fireplace in the dungeon-like kitchens and the gaudy great hall upstairs, with win-
dows unfurling a ribbon of lush, green countryside extending into wooded hills beyond
the estate. You'll get in for free if you share a surname with the castle.
CASTLE
Highland Safaris
(
01887-820071;
www.highlandsafaris.net
; 9am-5pm, closed Sun Nov-Jan; )
This
outfit, just past Castle Menzies, offers an ideal way to spot some wildlife or simply enjoy
Perthshire's magnificent countryside. Standard trips include the 2½-hour Mountain Safari
(adult/child £40/17.50), which includes a dram in the wilderness; and the Safari Trek
(adult/child £60/45), which includes a walk in the mountains and a picnic.
You can hire mountain bikes here (per day £20), and for another £17.50 they'll drive
you to the top of the hill and you make your own way down (a good option for walkers,
too). Wildlife you may spot includes golden eagles, osprey and red deer. There's also gold
panning for kids.
WILDLIFE TOUR
Splash
(
01887-829706;
www.rafting.co.uk
; Dunkeld Rd; 9am-9pm; )
Splash offers
family-friendly white-water rafting on the River Tay (adult/child £40/25) and more ad-
vanced adult trips on the Tummel (grade 3/4, June to September) and the Orchy (grade
3/5, October to March). It also offers pulse-racing descents on river bugs, canyoning trips
(£45) and hires mountain bikes (per half-/full day £12/18).
RAFTING
Sleeping
Tigh'n Eilean Guest House££
(
01887-820109;
www.tighneilean.com
; Taybridge Dr; s/d £45/68; )
Everything about this property screams comfort. It's a gorgeous place overlooking the
Tay, with individually designed rooms all creating a unique sense of space. One has a spa,
while another is set on its own in a cheery yellow summer house in the garden, giving you
a bit of privacy if that's your thing. The garden itself is fabulous, with hammocks to laze
B&B
