Caroline's perfect day
Caroline is the Web Production Editor at VisitBritain and has lived in London for 4 years. Here, Caroline shares her perfect day in Crieff, Scotland.
"One of my perfect days can be spent in and around Crieff, a town nestled within the stunning Perthshire countryside of Scotland, which used to be a bustling cattle market.
Walking along the high street in Crieff, past the ancient stocks (which were used until 1816), you'll see an array of shops selling kilts in clan tartans to traditional Scottish foods. If you walk further on you'll come to Macrosty Park, a great family park complete with its own Victorian bandstand where brass band concerts are still held in the summer. Walking up past Morrison's Academy, you'll reach the Crieff Hydro, built in 1868, one of Perthshire's finest hotels boasting the excellent Culcrieff golf course.
Near the Crieff Hydro is the Knock (or Cnoc, Gaelic for 'hill'), and it is here that you can enjoy some of the most beautiful views in Britain either on foot or horseback. Covered with purple heather and blaeberries (blueberries), the Knock is home to a wide range of wildlife and is an ideal place for a summer picnic.
Follow the path through the lower wooded hillside, bracken and plants growing around the trees, and you'll arrive at the heather-cloaked summit of the Knock. Here, a detailed stone indicator points to all the individual mountains which make up the exquisite view of the Grampians and the neighbouring towns including Comrie and St Fillans. It's a breathtaking prospect and a great place to get away from all the stresses and strains of day-to-day life. The Knock is also steeped in legend, being the scene of a witch hunt where Kate McNieven was said to have been rolled over a crag in a spiked-lined barrel. This very crag on the Knock has been named in her memory.
Walking from the Knock round by the Hosh, you come to Scotland's oldest whisky distillery, Glenturret, which was established as a single Malt distillery in 1775. Using the water from the Turret Burn which runs through Macrosty Park, you can taste the final product on The Famous Grouse Experience (www.thefamousgrouse.com/ls/en/) or even go to the whisky or cook school. For me, walking by the river and around the distillery grounds, admiring the statue of the famous Towser, the record-breaking cat who caught nearly 29,000 mice at the distillery over her 24 years, before enjoying the carvery in the restaurant which is served every weekend, is a great day out.
Finally, visiting the traditional Crieff Highland Games which have been taking place every August since 1870 is a must. There is a wonderful atmosphere at this event with many competitors and spectators wearing traditional Scottish dress wear. The Games include the sports of Tossing the Caber and Tug O War together with piping and Highland dancing to make the experience unforgettable. As well as this, the Chieftain of the Gathering is sometimes a Hollywood star…in the shape of Crieff-born Ewan MacGregor."