Local Area
Local Produce
Situated in the fertile Vale of Strathmore, you’ll find several nearby farm shops offering fresh produce grown on local farms. The area is renowned for its summer berries, so you can enjoy the sweetest soft fruits during the warmer months.
Treat yourself to a freshly ground coffee and a slice of cake in one of the many welcoming cafés close by — a perfect way to round off a day of exploring.
Nature
Immerse yourself in the natural world and enjoy the many wild creatures that thrive in the farmland surrounding Spitfire Cottage. Red kites, skylarks, and swallows sweep across the sky, while red deer and hares graze quietly in the nearby fields. Down by the burn, a beaver works steadily on his dam.
In summer the garden comes alive as bees and butterflies drift between the wildflowers and as the season turns to autumn migratory geese fly overhead and winter in the surrounding fields.
Stargazing
With no streetlights and minimal light pollution, the night sky above Spitfire Cottage bursts with stars. On clear nights, you may even glimpse the aurora borealis, its green and purple glow shimmering to the north.
In late summer, the harvest moon rises over the Sidlaw Hills, appearing strikingly large and casting a beautiful golden light across the landscape.
Perthshire
Perth — the ‘Fair City’ — offers a wealth of attractions, from the Perth Theatre and Concert Hall to the Perth Museum, home of the historic Stone of Destiny. You’ll also find an IMAX cinema, great restaurants, a swimming pool, skating and curling rink, and beautiful parklands set against the River Tay.
Just 15 minutes away, Scone Palace and the Racecourse provide palace and garden tours rich in royal history, along with major annual events such as the International Horse Trials and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair.
Within a 30‑minute drive lie the charming historic towns of Dunkeld and Pitlochry, reached by breathtaking scenic roads that are especially spectacular in autumn.
Dundee and Angus
The historic city of Dundee, once famed for shipbuilding and jute, is just 15 minutes away and offers superb shopping, the V&A Museum, HMS Discovery, theatres, multiplex cinemas, and an ice arena.
Nearby Glamis Castle, childhood home of H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, hosts a variety of annual events, including the popular Scottish Transport Extravaganza.
To the north, the Angus Glens invite you to explore rolling hills, waterfalls, and peaceful woodland trails, while the coastal towns of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry offer charming harbours and beautiful sandy beaches.
What To Do
Enjoy the Outdoors
A paradise for walkers and cyclists, the area is surrounded by quiet, cycling‑friendly 40mph country roads with routes to suit all abilities through neighbouring villages and farmland.
This part of Scotland is also central to an exceptional range of golf courses — from championship venues like Gleneagles, St Andrews, and Carnoustie, to excellent local courses at Rosemount, Strathmore, and Alyth, all just a short drive away.
Perthshire is renowned for fishing on the ‘Silvery Tay’, with several sought‑after beats close by. Permits are also available for the nearby River Ericht, and the area offers superb clay shooting at Auchterhouse. Horse riding is available at Pathhead Equestrian in Kirriemuir offering hacks and lessons in their indoor and outdoor arenas.
For something different, try wild swimming in nearby lochs followed by a warming sauna cabin, or enjoy the winter season at Glenshee Ski Centre.
The possibilities are endless.
Explore Scotland
Our location offers the perfect blend of peaceful countryside with quaint villages, historic towns, and bustling cities all within a 30‑minute drive. The vibrant cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are just an hour away, while heading north brings you into the Cairngorms National Park within half an hour, where the mountains rise dramatically ahead.
Locally, you’ll find numerous whisky and gin distilleries, many offering tours and tastings. Summer brings a host of traditional Scottish events, from agricultural shows to the famous Highland Games. Royal Deeside and Balmoral, the royal summer residence, are also within an hour’s drive. Fans of Outlander can explore several nearby filming locations.
The area has a thriving arts and crafts scene, with Perthshire Open Studios each September and a variety of galleries and fairs throughout the year.
Must‑see days out include The House of Bruar for luxury Scottish shopping, St Andrews for its golfing heritage and charming streets, and the historic splendour of Glamis Castle and Scone Palace.