World Pipe Band Championships

17 - 18 August 2018 

Enjoy the sight and sound of hundreds of pipers competing in the world's top piping tournament at Glasgow Green.

Around 220 bands complete, many of them coming from overseas, and one of the highlights is the grand finale, when all the pipers (as many as 8000) perform together in unison.  As well as pipers, you can see Highland Dancers, heavy weights and there is a Kids Zone to keep the wee rascals amused!

Falconry Fridays @ Scone Palace

Calling all birdwatchers - Prepare to be amazed at Scone Palace this summer!  Raptor World are putting on wonderful falconry displays on the lawns in front of the stunning Scone Palace.

Many magnificent birds of prey for you to watch and enjoy, they will be on display from 12noon until 4.00pm, with a fantastic flying display at 2.00pm

Dates of these displays are :

• 6th July
• 27th July
• 10th August
• 31st August
• 7th September
• 21st September
• 5th October

So why not make a day of it with a visit to the Palace and the falconry display?  Find out more at www.scone-palace.co.uk

Perth Agricultural Show - 3rd & 4th August 2018

The Perth Show has been running for more than 150 years, and is a popular event for the farming community, as well as a fun day out for the whole family.  The show is held at the South Inch in Perth, which is within walking distance from the city centre.

Perth hosts a great display of livestock including cattle, sheep and horses - who all feature in the Grand Parade on Saturday - and there are a variety of trade stands, food stalls, and agricultural machinery displays to enjoy too.

This year the show will feature a Cookery Theatre which will be showcasing cookery demonstrations by local and celebrity chefs throughout the weekend.

Tickets for the show can be bought in advance, or purchased on the day at the gate.

You can find out more at www.perthshow.co.uk

GWCT Scottish Game Fair

One of our areas major events - The Scottish Game Fair - takes place at Scone Palace from the 29th June - 1st July 2018, only 9 miles from Pitlandie Wood Lodges.

The 2018 Scottish Game Fair marks 30 years of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust celebrating conservation and the countryside in 2018!

The GWCT Game Fair visitors come from far and wide to enjoy a lively and friendly atmosphere, to hunt for bargains at over 300 stands, to learn more about their countryside, to see a huge vaiety of displays and demonstrations and to test their skills in a wide range of competitions.

Tickets will be available on the day priced
Adult £20 • Child £5 • Family £42

Gates are open from 09:30 to 18:00

Further details and Tickets available from www.scottishfair.com

POTFEST SCOTLAND - International Ceramic Art Festival at Scone Palace

Less than 10 miles from Pitlandie Wood Lodges is Scone Palace; it has an exciting and colourful history as one of Scotland's most important stately homes. 

On the 8th - 10th June 2018 from 10:00 to 17:00 at Scone Palace is POTFEST!!

 Over 70 potters and ceramic sculptors working from small studios all over the UK and across Europe will be selling their work here at Scone Palace. Held in six large marquees on the lawns to the front of the Palace, this is a cultural experience like no other - the biggest exclusively ceramics event of its kind in Scotland with a range of work on display which is guaranteed to surprise and delight.

 There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities, and entry to the gardens and grounds is included and upgrade tickets to the Palace can be bought at the front door.

 Refreshments will be available at the festival and The Palace Coffee Shop will be open for refreshments, lunch and afternoon tea.

  Admission prices:
£5.50 per person (Adults, Students, Seniors)
Accompanied children enter free and parking is free too.

 For more details visit http://www.potfest.co.uk/potfest-scotland/

Birnam Village & The Birnam Oak

Made famous in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Birnam village and the ancient Birnam Oak are an excellent local attraction, not far from Pitlandie Wood Lodge in Perthshire. Birnam is a picturesque village that sits on the River Tay and on the opposite side of the river, is Dunkeld.

Birnam Oak
Birnam is home to the magnificent Birnam Oak. The Oak, alongside the Birnam sycamore, are thought to be the only trees left from the once expansive forest that covered the area.  In Macbeth, the forest played an important part, Birnam Wood ideally camouflaged the army fighting Macbeth.

With its medieval appearance, The Birnam Oak is gnarled and hollowed and undoubtedly a beautiful sight to see. In fact, it features in the top 100 Scottish Heritage Trees.

The famous Oak can be seen along the Birnam Walk as well as other impressive trees along the way, the trail takes you along the river from where you can see much wildlife.

The Hermitage at Dunkeld

The Hermitage Woodland Walk and Ossian’s Hall

For an invigorating and breathtakingly beautiful walk, the Hermitage is an idyllic and only a few miles from Pitlandie Wood Lodge. Nestled in the beautiful woodlands near Dunkeld, visitors can enjoy a walk complete with the fragrant scent of pine needles. Along the trail, keep an eye out for red squirrels in the tall trees above, the salmon leaping in the river and viewing an impressive waterfall that roars with energy.

About the walk
There are a few different trails, all varying in length and elevation, but the main riverside walk is a beautiful trail that is around 1.5 miles long. By taking this walk, you will be following in the footsteps of royalty. Queen Victoria was known to love this area as did other famous faces including Wordsworth, Mendelssohn and Turner.

With marked trails and lots of car parking, there are many easy walks to follow.

Things to see
Whatever your interest, there is plenty to see at the Hermitage, it is full of interesting wildlife including red squirrels, osprey and deer. At the right time of year, salmon can be seen leaping up the River Braan.

The forest is well known for it’s incredibly tall Douglas fir trees, which are some of the tallest trees in Britain, hence the area being known as Big Tree Country.  Along the walk, visitors can spot a totem pole carved out from one of these impressive trees.

The Black Linn Falls – are an incredible waterfall that truly takes your breath away. The best viewing point, from which to watch the waterfall in action, is from Ossian’s Hall - also known as the Hall of Mirrors.  Built in 1757, the Georgian building is a shrine to Ossian, a blind bard. The building is lined with mirrors which helps to create a spectacular image of the water from Black Linn Falls. In fact, William Wordsworth described it as a ‘world of wonder’. A definite must-see!

Dunkeld & Dunkeld Cathedral

Pitlandie Wood Lodge, with it’s stunning views and luxury accommodation, it can be hard to tear yourself away from this luxury retreat.  Located in the heart of Perthshire means, that Pitlandie Wood Lodge is just a short drive away from many nearby attractions.   Only 10 miles away Dunkeld Cathedral stands prominently on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld.

About Dunkeld
Dunkeld is a small but historic town, with just over 1,000 inhabitants. It is believed Dunkeld was founded in 820 by the King of the Picts, Caustantin, son of Fergus. For many years, Dunkeld was the prime site of religious importance in eastern Scotland. Today, the historic Apostles’ Stone is still preserved in the Cathedral, although its elaborate detail has been badly worn away.

Today, Dunkeld is a busy little town with much of its 18th century architecture still in good condition.  In fact, the National Trust for Scotland has restored many of the vernacular buildings, while the cathedral is the dominating building in the town.  Visitors love the quirky little houses in Dunkeld too.

Dunkeld Cathedral
The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral is well worth a visit.  The cathedral was founded in 1260 and has a long standing history of religious importance, even throughout the Battle of Dunkeld that took place in 1689. The cathedral is now partly in ruin, however it is still used for regular church services and weddings.

One of the most notable burials in Dunkeld cathedral is Alexander Stewart who is known as the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’. His nickname came about due to his notoriety as being incredibly cruel as the Earl of Buchan. Today, you can see his tomb, complete with an armour effigy.

Visiting Dunkeld
There is plenty to do in Dunkeld from visiting the cathedral, admiring the architecture, wandering along the riverside paths, browsing the shops for souvenirs and sampling some delicious food in the award winning café’s.   Being just a short drive away from Pitlandie Wood Lodge, it is well worth a stop.

The 2018 British Open at Carnoustie

From the 15th July 2018, Carnoustie will be the host of the prestigious 147th Open. For a course that will challenge the experienced professional golfers, Carnoustie is the ideal location thanks to it notoriously difficult set up complete with thick rough and problematic bunkers.

Carnoustie is certainly the perfect links course for the esteemed British Open.  Not only is it one of the toughest golf courses in the world, but it is filled with history. In fact, golf has been played on this course since the 16th Century. Since then, its reputation has gone before it.  With a requirement for perfect shots every single time, the narrow course needs tactics to make sure shots are not driven off-course by the typical Scottish winds.

Plan your visit to Carnoustie
The Open is a great day out for all of the family. Not only will spectators be able to watch the best professional golfers in the world, but the atmosphere and events alongside the golf all contribute to an unforgettable trip.

An ideal family event, children can attend The Open for free as the event hopes to inspire the next generation of golfers. Everyone can experience the thrill of watching the golfers compete, to become the Champion Golfer of the Year.

Your Stay
Pitlandie Wood Lodges is the ideal base for your visit to the British Open at Carnoustie.  Being an hour’s drive away the Carnoustie Golf Links is very accessible.  With plenty to see and do, your holiday will undoubtedly be a memorable one.

Flora Shedden's ARAN Bakery in Dunkeld

The ARAN Bakery is an artisan bakery right in the centre of Dunkeld, run by Flora Shedden.  Flora was the youngest semi-finalist on BBC One’s Great British Bake-Off in 2015.  It is here that you can pick up some delightful and unusual freshly-baked treats.  The name itself pays tribute to its truly Scottish roots, with aran, being the Scottish Gaelic term for bread.

About ARAN Bakery
Opened in the summer of 2017, ARAN Bakery has quickly become a popular destination in Dunkeld.  With its connections to local businesses, all the ingredients for the bakery are sourced locally.  Such as the flour comes from a local mill, eggs from local farms, and fruits from the Dunkeld Community Orchard.

ARAN Bakery
As well as offering a delicious menu, that changes daily, depending on seasonal produce, ARAN Bakery also has a shop which sells warm bread and yummy cakes such as fig and fennel loaf, an elaborate fougasse and traditional sourdough baguette, to name but a few.  The cakes include tonka bean and rhubarb, coffee and cardamom and black sesame and lime and other baked treats, all delicious but the pistachio chocolate brownies cannot be resisted!

There are bakery classes and courses on offer too.  Whether you want to eat in with a coffee or tea, or a takeaway to enjoy at your lodge, ARAN Bakery has the option to suit you. With such glowing reviews, positive feedback and exciting ingredient choices, it will be one of the main highlights to your visit to Dunkeld, which is just a short drive from Pitlandie Wood Lodge.