A TOMBOY’S OWN ADVENTURE TEN THINGS TO DO IN PERTHSHIRE
TULLIBARDINE DISTILLERY Tullibardine, near Blackford, has been an independent distillery since 2003, producing a range of quality highland single malt whiskies. It hosts a range of distillery tours, has an excellent visitor centre and a licensed cafe.
CLUNY HOUSE GARDENS This spectacular Himalayan garden was created in the 1950s, when it already housed two magnificent Wellintonias – one of which, with a girth of 11 metres, is Britain’s widest conifer. Open all year round.
CATERAN TRAIL A 64-mile circular route through beautiful Perthshire and the Angus glens in five waymarked stages, with accommodation, hot baths, hearty meals and a good dram awaiting you at the end of each section.
GLENEAGLES HOTEL EQUESTRIAN SCHOOL One of the best equipped equestrian centres in the world, providing horse riding lessons and facilities for all ages, abilities and discipline of horsemanship. Includes two covered, heated arenas a lecture room.
Some of that winter work was tough. I used
my climbing skills for repointing stonework – church steeples, castle walls, the roofs of stately homes. I have repaired historic buildings across Scotland, including Scone Palace (where I have been working for the last six years) and Ardverikie House, better known as Monarch of the Glen’s Glenbogle Castle. I still do that kind of specialised ropework today. In 2000 I got the chance to climb Everest. I’d
been to base camp once before, at 16, and done a bit of trekking, but I never thought I’d get to attempt the summit. But John Barry asked me to be part of his team and we did it. Chris Tiso was with us too and became a great friend. Later, I was part of his expedition to the South Pole, following Shackleton’s journey. A month in South Georgia – it was brilliant. And as an added bonus, I ended up marrying the skipper of the boat. Other adventures followed: I worked for the
BBC on a TV series that took kids on expedi- tions – we went to Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and all over Africa. It was full on but very rewarding. We went on a number of serious expeditions,
like sailing around Cape Horn
and wild camping in the jungle. I’m still doing what I always did, which is working in winter to pay for my next big summer trip. I’ve been up to Greenland twice, and I’ve just done the North West Passage in a small plastic boat that
Above: At work on the roof of Scone Palace.
SCONE PALACE Located just outside Perth, Scone occupies a unique position in Scottish history, once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots and the rightful home of the Stone of Destiny. The grounds are open throughout November and December.
CASTLE MENZIES, WEEM Seat of the chiefs of the Clan Menzies for over 400 years, this spectacular 16th
-century castle was restored in the 1950s
and is open to visitors between April and October, with private tours available between November and March.
FALLS OF ACHARN Close to the pretty village of Acharn, near Kenmore, these spectacular falls can be reached via a well-defined track to a small man-made cavern and viewing platform. In 1803 the falls were visited by William Wordsworth and his sister.
ARDOCH ROMAN FORT This estate near Elgin gives you the chance to try a host of outdoor activities, from quad-biking to clay-pigeon shooting. Knowledgeable staff provide guidance, and there are barbecue facilities for a post-adventure meal.
THE PASS OF KILLIECRANKIE A mountain pass on the River Garry renowned for its ancient woodlands and natural beauty. The visitor centre was the first of its kind in Scotland and explains both the natural history of the area and that of the famous battle in 1689.
PERTH LEISURE POOL Perthshire is beautiful but during the cold and rainy winter months it can get too much, even for the hardiest outdoor entrhusiasts – especially if you have kids. Perth Leisure Pool has 6 pools for all ages, flumes, whirlpools and more.
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