Explore Gleneagles

This majestic 15th-century palace was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and is said to be haunted by her mother, Mary of Guise. Today, 450 years later, it lies in ruins, without a roof, yet it only takes a little imagination to conjure up the spectacle of the palace in its heyday as the home of the Stewart kings. The palace is situated beside a loch, where boat hire is available, within attractive parkland dotted with sculptures and a magnificent fountain, making it a perfect spot for a stroll.

Some 1500 years ago Scone (pronounced scoon) was the capital of the ancient Pictish kingdom and from the middle ages on the Kings of Scotland were crowned there, on the Stone of Destiny. The palace standing there today was built in the early 1800s and is set in lovely grounds and gardens which include a pinetum (a pine copse featuring varieties from all over the world) and a maze. Guided tours of the palace and its treasures are available, along with a shop and informal dining restaurant situated in the old kitchens. Scone Palace is only 35 minutes from Gleneagles.

In the heart of beautiful highland Perthshire, Blair Castle is just over an hour north of Gleneagles. The gorgeous Atholl Estate of which the Castle is part of welcomes more visitors than any other in Scotland. Explore the castle with a guided tour of the attics, or enjoy the extensive grounds – there are plenty of activities on offer too, from Land Rover safaris to fishing; and every August Blair Castle is host to the International Horse Trails and Country Fair, one of the UKs most elite equestrian events and a four day extravaganza attracting over 40,000 visitors.

One of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, Stirling Castle is also one of the largest in Scotland, and of great importance historically. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, its stunning location on the promontory of a rocky crag afforded the castle a strong defensive position with panoramic views. Recently a £12 million refurbishment returned 6 of the royal apartments to how they may have looked in the mid 16th century, a real step back in time experience! Free guided tours are available or you can make your way round the castle at your own pace with personal audio tours in several languages.

For many people, autumn is their favourite time to get out for a woodland walk. The sun is low in the sky, with its slanting rays penetrating further into the wood than in summer. If you can combine woods with water you can get some stunning reflections. Here are some of our favourites:

All these walks are within a short distance of Gleneagles – our Guest Relations team will be pleased to give you directions, or our Concierge team can take you there.

Traditional Highland games with piping, Highland dancing, heavy events, track and field, and grand pipe band contest. There will also be a grand finale of massed bands.

In the 1700’s Crieff was the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland. Every year hundreds of people – and thousands of cattle – would converge on Crieff in October for the great Michaelmas Fair.

The Drovers’ Tryst Festival celebrates the lives of those hard working people, with a variety of guided walks around the beautiful autumn countryside around Crieff and strathearn. There is also a mountain biking competition, lots of social events, a photography competition and much more.

Scenic Loch Tay is at the heart of a land of superlatives: Perthshire’s highest mountain; Scotland’s longest river; the Highland’s longest and loveliest glen and Europe’s oldest living resident (it’s a tree), to name but a few.

Scotland is a fantastic country to explore on foot, and our chauffeur drive team can take you to any number of local places of interest for you to start your walk. Here we bring you a few popular tours, and of course our dedicated concierge team will be delighted to advise you of others.

Ramblers Scotland is part of The Ramblers, which helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protects the places we all love to walk. The charity is dedicated to looking after paths and green spaces, leading walks and encouraging everyone to get outside and discover how walking boosts your health and your happiness.

For a truly local experience, head to The Kirkstyle Inn. With its open fire and strong selection of brews on tap, it has a charming atmosphere and is the perfect post-walk pitstop. The best seats in the house are at the bar, where you can watch the team at work, ask all the questions you like about the best beers and be in easy reach of the next packet of crisps. 

Started by two Gleneagles alumni, The Coorie Inn is the kind of pub everyone wishes was their local. Here the emphasis is on produce, with the team looking for ways to incorporate local and seasonal ingredients into their plates. From using their own honey to sourcing Scottish game, every element is carefully considered. Expect cosy fires and an elevated menu that seamlessly blends Scottish and French dining principles. 

With its manicured gardens and fairytale turrets, Drummond Castle has long been the subject of much interest from history buffs and horticulturists. In 2024 its profile was given a little extra polish with the castle getting the fashion set’s seal of approval from Dior, who showed their 2025 Cruise Collection in its grounds. It was the first time the French fashion house had returned to Scotland since Monsieur Dior himself showed his collection in Gleneagles’ Ballroom in 1955.

Named after Lady Mary Murray, whose family owned land here in the early 19th century, this pretty walk is a local favourite. The three and a half mile route takes you past some of the most beautiful woodlands in the country, with many of the larger trees having reached the grand old age of 150 or more. Look out for the particularly picturesque bank of mature oak, beech, lime and sweet chestnut trees that fringe the side of the River Earn.  

As our neighbours and friends, we hold a special relationship with the team at Glenturret. Here you’ll find the only other two-Michelin-star restaurant in Scotland besides our own, Andrew Fairlie. It’s also the country’s oldest working distillery, carefully preserved to allow you a fascinating insight into the traditional production process that’s behind its award-winning bottles. Our connection extends to the joint venture of our Limited-Edition Trilogy Series which they bottled for us in 2023. 

Available from The Stillroom

It’s hard to miss Ems & Co., given its heaving pastry display in the window that changes daily depending on what’s in season. At the helm is one of the country’s most talented pastry chefs, so you’re guaranteed a good treat here. Stop by after a local walk and take your pick from creations like a cherry and yoghurt cake or a Strawberry and hazelnut Paris-Brest. Just leave some for the rest of us. 

As Donald Matheson was dreaming up Gleneagles in the early 1900s, down the road in Dollar another trailblazer was creating their own unique Scottish scene. Explorer Ella Christie had just returned from Japan and set about creating one of the finest examples of a Japanese garden in the UK. The secret to her success was hiring Taki Handa, a fellow female gardener and a scholar from the Royal School of Garden Design at Nagoya. It became the first and only garden of its size and scale to be designed by a woman and has recently been fully restored for a whole new generation to enjoy. 

For a true taste of Perthshire, Gloagburn Farm Shop is a must-visit. This family-run spot is beloved for its championing of local produce – think artisan cheeses, homemade jams and seasonal veg pulled straight from the soil. Don’t leave without raiding their bakery for buttery shortbread or a still-warm loaf of sourdough, and if the sun’s shining, grab a coffee and enjoy it in their garden while watching the hens strut about.

All good holidays need a holiday read, and The Wee Bookshop in Dollar makes for some excellent browsing in that department. Here you’ll find a vast selection of tomes from classic adult fiction to all kinds of tall tales for kids, plus practical pieces like maps and hiking, which are great if you’re planning to get out into the great outdoors during your visit. With a cosy coffee shop on site and plenty of little corners to hunker down into, this is also a great spot on a dreich day for a place to quietly sit and read with fellow literary lovers. 

A haven for lovers of the unusual, Campbell’s Curiosities is the kind of antique shop that’s wonderfully jumbled for proper treasure hunting. Here, you’ll find everything from Victorian glassware to mid-century furniture, as well as the odd eccentric item you never knew you needed. Whether you’re on the hunt for a conversation-starting centrepiece or just browsing for a unique keepsake, this little gem offers hours of gentle rummaging. Bonus points for the team’s encyclopedic knowledge – they’ll happily share the stories behind the pieces if you ask.

If you’re in the market to bag a Munro, they don’t get much better than Beinn Vorlich, which towers above Loch Earn at just shy of 1000 metres. There are plenty of pit stops as you snake its steep sides, but if you intend on going to the top, you’ll have to put aside a full day’s hiking. The view from the top is worth the exertion. In fact, it’s so beautiful that we include its ascension in The Great Adventure Race, our gruelling annual triathlon.

Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the sweetest, and this hidden clearing near Dalchruin proves the point. Surrounded by sweeping views of rolling hills and punctuated by the distant sound of the River Earn, it’s an idyllic spot beside a small waterfall to throw down a blanket and tuck into a spread of local delicacies. Pack up treats from our picnic team, the Gloagburn Farm Shop or The Mercat and let time slow down as you soak up the scenery. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a red kite gliding overhead.

With its cobbled streets and perfectly preserved 17th-century houses, Culross is one of Scotland’s sweetest towns to wander around. While you’re there, take a look at the Palace and its charming kitchen garden, before setting your sights on The Mercat. This carefully curated provisions store, gift shop and bakery makes exacting laminated masterpieces as well as homemade baguettes stuffed with fillings like thick cut ham, Dijon mustard and cornichons. 

Take a tour of one of Scotland’s most prestigious performing arts schools, where you’ll get a look behind the curtain at the life of ballerinas, musicians and actors. Part of our commitment to nurturing grassroots talent includes supporting RCS students through a range of performance and educational opportunities. Every year we also host a beautiful performance from students, who put on a magical festive show for guests to enjoy alongside our celebratory afternoon tea. 

The subject of one of our recent features in The Gleneagle newspaper, these tidal pools in St Monans have a fascinating history entangled with the fishing community in Scotland, a group of artisans we have relied upon for our world-class seafood since we opened in 1924. While you’re over here, stop in for lobster rolls at Crail Harbour or make a reservation at the Kinneuchar Inn, one of Scotland’s most celebrated pubs. 

Our love affair with the most beautiful railway stations in Scotland began back when our founder designed Gleneagles’ own station, complete with intricate Victorian ironwork. Rannoch Moor is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe and is home to one of the most remote stations which is gorgeous in its own right. When you arrive you’ll not see a car in sight, with the pick up point stretching off into 50 square miles of hills and glens instead. While you’re here, keep an eye out for the rare flora and fauna that call this special place home. 

The single-track road into Glen Etive is the stuff of Scottish legend – and Hollywood, too. This dramatic glen starred in the James Bond film Skyfall, and it’s easy to see why it was chosen: rugged mountains, mirrored lochs, and a sense of untouched wilderness at every turn. Drive slowly and savour the unfolding panoramas, or park up and take a wander by the river for that ultimate Highlands experience. It’s the kind of place that makes you understand why poets and filmmakers alike keep coming back.