Almost in the centre of Scotland, Perthshire has also been at the centre of its history. The Fair City of Perth combines its roles of county and market town, main commercial centre and major visitor attraction quite naturally. Its ancient buildings stand proud and its parks and open spaces win accolades and awards regularly. Once the Capital of Scotland, Perth became a major trading port and with the Palace of Scone nearby where all 42 Kings of Scotland were crowned, it was never far away from being the cultural and historic centre of Scotland. Perth stands on one of the finest salmon fishing rivers in the country, the River Tay, which at almost 60 miles in length is the longest river in Scotland. Just to the south lies Loch Leven, the largest lowland loch in Scotland - renowned for its trout and for the escape of Mary Queen of Scots from Loch Leven Castle, where she was imprisoned, in 1567. Loch Leven is now a bird sanctuary of international importance. The b ... < more >