During the summer holidays it’s sometimes a challenge planning days out that will appeal to all (or at least most!) of your family members. Here are a few ideas for simple days out that will make each of your party smile for a day. They are all highly rated on Trip Advisor too.
Ron Gillies raises a glass of his acclaimed Scottish cider
Cairn O’Mohr Fruit Wines: Owned by Ron and Judith Gillies, (who met playing poker on a river boat in the mangroves of the Panamanian jungle – yes, it’s true), The Cairn O’Mohr Winery has been making wine since 1987. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, the winery uses the very best local berries, wild flowers, fruits and leaves to make its wines, ciders and fruit punches. In their words you can visit the Cairn O’Mohr winery and cider house ‘just about any time you like apart from the middle of the night probably’. Tours regularly run Wednesday and Sunday at £6 a person, but rustle up a group and you can arrange a tour for any day. In early summer take a walk through their elderflower plantation bursting with insects, elderflowers, and buttercups, or make a date in your diary for their International Bottle Smashing Tournament. For full details see: http://www.cairnomohr.com/
Highland Safari: For an amazing day outdoors, try Highland Safaris, based in Aberfeldy. Their award-winning Land Rover safaris get your right up close to the landscape and wildlife of the Highlands, with an experienced guide who can help you spot even the most elusive animals. There are a range of safaris on offer: mountain or forest safaris, walking safaris, cycle safaris, and private charters too. If you want something a bit more sedate you’ll enjoy their Red Deer and Barn Owl centre for daily ‘encounter’ sessions where you can meet, touch, and photograph these beautiful creatures. For full details and prices, see: http://www.highlandsafaris.net/
Loch Dunmore, Faskally Wood, Perthshire
Faskally Wood: Faskally Wood in Perthshire is quickly earning the name of ‘The Enchanted Forest’. Every year from 1 October, the forest is lit up in the evening with hi-tech light displays to illuminate nature and to draw visitors to the outdoors in a new and engaging way. It’s an award-winning event that is gathering momentum every year, so book tickets early. You can do that here: http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/ However, Faskally wood is a beautiful forest to enjoy at any time of year, and in daylight hours! One mile north of Pitlochry, it lies on the banks of Loch Dunmore and offers a network of well-tended and easy footpaths with spectacular views. More information on this brilliant website: http://www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk/places/pitlochry-road-isles/faskally-wood
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery: This one is for dads! Lying just three miles from the birthplace of its founder John Dewar, the Dewar Distillery in Aberfeldy has been distilling the single malt whisky that is the key component of Dewars Scotch. There’s a café and whisky lounge, and interactive tours offer an engaging insight into the age-old process of distillation. There are limited editions on sale and you can even ‘fill your own’ cask strength bottle to take home. The expert and critically acclaimed tours take place daily throughout the day at £9.50 for adults (with a dram!) and under 12s go free. Details here: http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/dewars-aberfeldy-distillery-p421491
The majestic Queens View, Pitlochry
Queens View: Said to be one of the most photographed spots in Scotland, Queen’s View in Pitlochry is worth a visit in itself. Queen Victoria reportedly favoured the spot on her visit to the area in 1866, though it’s likely that it was actually named after Queen Isabella, the first wife of Robert the Bruce, some 500 years earlier. Queen’s View overlooks Loch Tummel and beyond to the striking peak of Schiehallion, and is part of the Tay Forest Park. It’s an ideal point from which to choose from one of a number of forest walks for all abilities. Hungry walkers can eat at the Visitor Centre cafe, where you will also find lots of information about the area. For full details, see: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/tay-forest-park/queens-view-visitor-centre
Photo Credits:
- Cairn O’Mohr Winery: Photo used with kind permission of Cairn O’Mohr Winery: http://www.cairnomohr.com/
- Reflections on Loch Dunmore: Arthur Bruce [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
- Queens View: By Phil Sangwell from United Kingdom (Queens View ,Pitlochry) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons