If you're local to Perth - or just visiting - and you're looking for a day out on your doorstep, don't forget you don't have to go far to Go Rural!
Tis the season of local fetes, gala days and agricultural shows so check around the area and find out what's going on. Shows are a great way of supporting local rural communities and also for educating the whole family if you've never been to one before!
Perth Show
5th and 6th August 2022
Perth Show has been run by Perthshire Agricultural Society for 157 years. The setting in the middle of Perth is unique with almost every other agricultural show in Scotland being held on farmers’ fields.
The Show aims to appeal to everyone who attends and they have added the food hall and Perthshire on a Plate, including a cookery theatre with demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs, a dog show and activities for children such as the pet show and children’s races.
They source top quality locally sourced food and drink to provide those attending a wide variety of quality products to choose from.
1.5 miles: Farming Yesteryear at Scone Palace
Step back in time with the Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club Farming Yesteryear and Vintage Rally 2022. The event is on Sunday 11th September 2022 between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm.
Vintage tractors, stationary engines, steam engines and agricultural machinery will be on display together with vintage cars, lorries and other vehicles.
Working demonstrations of vintage agricultural machinery including ploughing, combining and threshing, plus trade stands and auto jumble.
Farming Yesteryear and Vintage Rally at Scone Palace
2.5 miles: Gloagburn Farm Sunflower Maize Event
Lots of fun to be had at the Gloagburn Farm Sunflower Maize event which is due to open in mid to late August 2022 after a highly popular 2021 debut.
Children will love going around the Maize but it wont just be the children having fun!
Tickets will be on sale from the end of July.
Gloagburn Farm Sunflower Maize
5.5 Miles: Active Kids, Stanley
Active Kids is a fabulous fun-filled adventure park, set in the heart of rural Perthshire. Located on a farm at Stanley, just north of Perth this adventure park takes in everything from trampolines, an Astra Slide, crazy golf, go-karts and an assault course, to a play fort and a playpark for younger children.
With animal paddocks and plenty of space to explore, this is an unmissable farm day out with plenty of space for exploring, running, hiding and lots of fun.
They are undergoing a refurbishment programme where their indoor spaces are being redeveloped to include a brand new cafe, two indoor party rooms and a new top shop. They are very much still open with all outdoor areas still accessible and fully operational with a small toy shop, hot drinks, snacks and lunch options available.
10 Miles: Broadslap Farm, Dunning
From picking your own fruit, to lunch in the cafe followed by the children having a play in the Play Barn, you can easily fill a morning or afternoon at Broadslap.
Informal, contemporary, Broadslap is also the perfect place to meet with friends and family.
Their homegrown, fresh soft fruits and vegetables are also available seasonally. Complemented by their specially sourced products and delicacies prepared in their very own ‘Hungry Farmer’ kitchen. Together they represent the very best of Perthshire offerings, all year round.
The little ones can play safely on their fun activity play equipment, two-storey house, train, mini climbing wall and rope balance.
19 Miles: Comrie Croft, Crieff
Comrie Croft is a crofting community comprised of several micro-businesses - all passionate about nature, sustainability, and encouraging people to get outdoors, and they're definitely succeeding in getting visitors out on two wheels!
Now an up-and-coming mountain biking destination, there is on-site bike hire available, a mountain bike skills park and pump track and 16km of free hand-built blue, red and black single track trails. Comrie Croft is a fantastic place for visitors of all abilities, and is only 30 minutes from Perth.
28 Miles: Aberfeldy Show and Highland Games
12th and 13th August 2022
The lovely little Highland Perthshire town of Aberfeldy comes alive with the Atholl and Breadalbane Agricultural Show and Highland Gathering on the 2nd Friday and Saturday weekend in August each year.
You will be entertained with a huge variety of activities organised including fancy dress on horseback, a pet show, sheep, cattle and horse judging, highland dancing, piping competitions, heavyweight athletes, vintage tractors, hill racing, wrestling, terrier racing along with a craft and food fair and horticultural show.
This beautiful setting, right beside the historic Wade’s Bridge and the River Tay is surrounded by lovely views to Weem Rock to the north and the hills of Glen Lyon to the west – what other event can boast such a magnificent backdrop?
31 Miles: Blair Castle, Blair Atholl
Blair Castle has been the home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. The castle has had a diverse history, witnessing both turbulent and peaceful times, enlarged and adapted over 750 years. Home to politicians, soldiers, agriculturalists and entrepreneurs, the family history is brought to life against a backdrop of fine 18th century interiors and Scots Baronial architecture, in 30 rooms.
Scotland's leading equestrian event, the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials runs 25th - 28th August 2022.
Now in its 32nd year of international competition, the Horse Trials plays host to national and international calibre eventing, NPS Scotland, British Showjumping, The Highland Pony Society, Hunter and Sunday Showing competitions as well as the Pony Club Games over the course of the four days. There is truly something for everyone!
