Perth and St Andrews
 

Hello all, we right in the middle of a fantastic trip (a lot of which was crafted with the assistance of the people here). We're in Scotland right now (Dunkeld to be exact), and (lo and behold), we have a little down time. I thought I would ask for some advice:

Perth - We are going to take a drive up to Pitlochry one day this week (for some family roots stuff). We'll be about 40 miles north of Perth. Any ideas of something nice and relaxing for the afternoon (maybe browsing thru some towns, or taking a leisurely drive?) Also, would love a suggestion for an old fashioned Scottish dinner anywhere in the Perth area.

St Andrews - Will also be taking a day trip to St Andrews. Golf is not on the schedule, but I certainly plan to peek at the old course. Also the Cathedral (already have tickets for that). I remember reading that there is some 'can't miss' ice cream place (forgot the name). Any suggestions for lunch in St Andrews (before our ice cream??)
Thanks for the help!

Can't help w/ the restaurant recs - hopefully sheila or Caroline-edinburgh or someone else will have some ideas.

Don't miss St Andrews castle - basically across the street from the cathedral - By ANY chance, is your day in St Andrews on Sunday? if so, you can walk any or all of the old Course. If not, you can still see a lot of it and even walk across the 18th/1st and all along the front nine w/o much hassle. The beach running along the front nine is a "must" - besides being a great beach - it is also where the famous beach scenes in Charriots of Fire were filmed.

Scone Palace is a good Perth diversion. If you want more country and less palace - then you can drive the Loch Tay/Loch earn loop and see the amazing Falls of Dochart in Killin, Fortingall (the legendary birthplace of Pontius Pilate) , Castle Menzies and some terrific scenery.

Thanks Janisj. St Andrews will be on Friday, but I'll manange a peek on the golf course somehow. The tickets that we have are good for the castle also, so we'll go there also.

Try the Doll's House restaurant in St Andrews, about half way down the high street, set back a bit.

Hi kevmag, here is a previous thread with lots of info about St. Andrews and vicinity (also the name of the ice cream shop: "Jannetta's"):
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34747565

Hello....I can personally recommend a stop in the town of Aberfeldy. Just spent a week there in May and walked the Birks of Aberfeldy...an absolute must. Dewars World of Whisky Distillery is there also, if you want, you can take the tour! Menzies Castle is in the area...in fact a nice loop drive can be done by going over the Tay Bridge in Aberfeldy and taking a right through Weem which will bring you to Menzie's Castle. Then continue on and follow the signs through Kenmore...Taymouth Castle is there as well as The Crannog Center. Boats can be rented here as well for Loch Tay, I believe. Continue on and you wind back in Aberfeldy. Everything I just mentioned can be done, easily in a day. Also doable in this area is Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. If nature walks are of interest then definitely give it a look!!

I also spent time in Dunkeld (did lunch at the Hilton and visted the Adventure Centre)and Pitlochry while there. Got to Drummond Castle...the gardens there are spectaclar!! Did Stirling Castle the same day as Drummond with time and energy to spare...lol!!

Spent a Sunday in St. Andrews (town and golf course) and had lunch at Janetta's, which is the ice cream place you referred to! Also, stopped in at Caithness Glass Visitor Centre in Perth (friend of my husband collects Caithness Glass and asked us to pick him up something) and watched them make make the glassware they sell...very interesting and a good rainy day thing!!!

ginny has covered a very nice way to spend your Pitlochry afternoon. Were it me, I'd maybe visit Edradour distillery at Pitlochry and then go up the noth side of the Tay and through Glen Lyon, over the brig of Balgie, and down to the north side of Loch Tay- maybe pausing at the Ben Lawers visitor centre on the way- home by the northside of the loch as far as Kenmore then through Aberfeldy to Dunkeld.

Try the Meikleour Inn at (would you believe?) Meikleour, for your dinner.

The Seafood Restuarant in St Andrews is meant to be fabulous.

We loved visiting The Edradour, and have the chef's apron and various sizes of whisky bottles to show for it!