Activities and Pastimes

Here are contact details for some of the things you can do whilst on holiday. The list covers a variety of interests and pastimes, but if you do not see the information you need please ask us for help.

Painting Courses
The Oaktree Cottage Art Experience Why not use your holiday to enhance your drawing and paiting skills at one of Artist/Designer Susan Cook's courses that run from April to July. Around £70 for a day including lunch in her charming garden. Email for full details

Shinafoot Fine Art Studios, Auchterarder. Margaret Evans, a professional artist, who paints with bold & beautiful freedom. Regular courses throughout the year. Tel. 01764 663639

Do It Outdoors providing activities in mountain biking, hill walking, navigation, fly fishing and bush craft in the Strathearn area. £20.00 per half day mountainbiking. Bike hire organised from £12 per half day.

Dunnning has its own Bowling Club and two all-weather tennis courts, as well as the 9-Hole Golf Course and children's play park.

Cycling
Perth & Kinross Cycling Summer (from 5 April onwards)
Perthshire is a great area to explore by bike and to encourage more people to cycle Perth & Kinross Council have organised Cycling Summer. From accompanied short and long rides through fabulous scenery to exciting off-road routes a range of events will cater for both novice and experienced cyclists.
For full programme details visit www.pkc.gov.uk/cycling

Horseback Riding
Gleneagles Equestrian Centre, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder. Riding school with fabulous facilities, well schooled horses and highly qualified instructors. Hacking for the experienced. Shows to watch. Tel: 01764 694351

Royal (DICK) Vet Exmoor Pony Trekking Section, Glendevon. Trekking in the beautiful Ochil Hills with a herd of rare British native ponies. All abilities catered for.

The Highland Falconry Centre situated at the Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Comrie is an excellent centre to share in the enthusiasm and knowledge of these magnificent birds.

In the Air
The Scottish Gliding Centre , Portmoak Airfield, near Kinross is the largest gliding club in Scotland and is a premier site for training glider pilots. Weather permitting - flying every day. The clubroom provides panoramic views of the airfield and surrounding countryside. Glider Pilot training for the disabled. Contact to book a trial flight.

Microlighting and The Scottish Aero Club, Perth Airport, Scone. Trial lessons available.

Off-Road Driving and Landrover Safaris
Highland Adverture Safaris Award-winning exciting off-road adventure in a safari landrover in search of highland wildlife - professional guide and spectacular scenery. Includes refreshments.

Perthshire Off-Road Driving Centre at nearby Glenfarg. 4x4 off-road driving, quad bikes, ATV, rally karts, novelty driving and clay shooting.

Mad4x4it.com Glentarkie, by Abernethy. Dramatic hilltop off-road. Groups, families, and indidviduals welcome.

Knockhill Racing Circuit near Dunfermline, Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre has something for everyone! Racing, Rallying, Ferrari, 4x4 off roading, Legends, Etypes, Skid Control. Racess to watch.

Noah's Ark Perth, for indoor karting and ten pin bowling for all the family.

White Water Rafting and Water Sports
Splash Whitewater Rafting Aberfeldy. Scotland's premier rafting company pioneering the UK's best white water. Other activities include abseiling, rap jumping and bridge swinging, river bugging and canyoning.

Nae Limits Dunkeld. Adventure activities including white water rafting, canyoning, abseiling and skiing.

There are many other activities are available and may be booked through the Perthshire Activity Line on 01577 861186

Scottish Country Dancing
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Perth and Perthshire Branch Summer Season - Scottish country dancing held every Tuesday night from early June until the end of August - spectate or join in.
The Swing O the Kilts Variety Show, Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry (every Thursday from 10 April until November)
Every Thursday from April to November this is a real taste of Scotland with a regular cast of Tommy Newcomen accordionist/compere, Graeme Thomson piper, singer Anne Pack and highland dancers Kerri Thomson and Robyn Newcomen. This will be the third year that the show has appeared at Fishers Hotel. Last years show attracted full houses most nights. A show with some general dancing such as Gay Gordons, Strip The Willow, Eva Three Step, etc. The dance programme will depend on the audience on the night.

Scottish Nights
At Pitlochry Town Hall, Thursday evenings from end of June to end September enjoy a "Scottish Night Out" of family entertainment every Thursday. Includes Scottish humour, singing and dancing. Tel. 01796 473866 for details

Music Across Perthshire has up to the minute details of cocerts and events in the area

Theatre
A full season of events takes place at the Horsecross Concert Hall and Theatre in Perth, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and BI Arts - the Birnam community facility for the Arts, Crafts, Drama, Concerts and Exhibitions. The Dundee Rep Theatre provides Drama, Dance, Plays, Entertainment, Musicals and is Scotland's only ensemble based theatre company.

There's good local information to be had from Dunning Community Trust who's aims are to help shape and imporve the village of Dunning and surroundings for years to come. Another excellent source of information is the Southern Perthshire Tourism Association - this independent tourism organisation has a local news page and information on accommodation, eating out, shops and local services in South Perthshire.