Riverside camping in Perth and Kinross
In the Heart of Scotland, uncover wonderful walking trails, rolling hills, woodland and a gateway to the Highlands.
- Perth and Kinross
Popular camping styles for Perth and Kinross
Top river, stream, or creek campsites in perth and kinross
Riverside camping in Perth and Kinross guide
Overview
Perthshire is nestled in the centre of Scotland between its two national parks, the wilder Cairngorms to the North and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to the southwest. It’s also within easy drive of both Glasgow and Edinburgh, a perfect outdoor playground if you’re limited on time. Outside the borders of its namesake city, the welcoming countryside of Perthshire is one of the best places to camp in the country. The Rob Roy Way, Pitlochry Path Network and a handful of other walking trails criss-cross the region. A network of interconnected lochs and rivers run through the land, connecting quaint villages like lowland Comrie and Crieff to Highland Blair Atholl and Aberfeldy. In autumn, Perthshire is the place to be in Scotland to enjoy the colourful foliage.
Where to go
Highland Perthshire
Walk along rivers, lochs through forest and over rolling hills, dipping into the picture-perfect villages of Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Dunkeld and Blair Atholl in a region that offers a Highland experience without the epic commute. In autumn, the hills around Loch Tay turn brilliant shades of burnt orange and red. The iconic cone shape of Schiehallion, the mountain that helped scientists calculate the mass of the world, is a must-climb for Munro-baggers. To the north, the lochside village of Kinloch Rannoch is the perfect hideaway off the normal Perthshire tourist circuit.
Perth and surrounds
Perth, one of Scotland’s smallest cities, sits on the River Tay with access to some of Scotland’s best countryside. Explore Perth’s riverside and parks before enjoying a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants or cafes. Nearby, the resplendent Scone Palace was where the Kings of Scotland were crowned—including Robert the Bruce—and home to the Stone of Destiny.
Southern Perthshire
A circuit of mountain biking trails can be found in Comrie, and the nearby town of Crieff is a perfect place to sit over a hot drink after a day of outdoor adventure. The famous Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Resort is just outside the historic village of Auchterarder, and the Ochil Hills offer a scenic backdrop to the south. This part of Perthshire is also home to one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, Tullibardine.
Blairgowrie and east Perthshire
The market town of Blairgowrie, north of Perth, is the starting point to the 65-mile Cateran Trail walking route and the entrance to the Snow Roads—both running north into the wilds of the Cairngorms National Park. Nearby Coupar Angus is known for its good cycling terrain. The Rivers Ericht and Isla meander through much of the country and it’s worth the short woodland hike up from the River Isla to the Reekie Linn waterfall.
