Attractions
Visit Perth for films, museums and more
Nearby Perth, less than 30 minutes east, has plenty to do, from shopping to evening entertainment. Catch a film at the Perth Playhouse, an art deco cinema that opened in 1933. It took only nine weeks to build and despite alterations in the 1970s and 1980s, it still has many of its original art deco features.
Learn about life in Perthshire throughout the ages at the Perth Museum and Art Gallery. Its fascinating permanent exhibitions chart the area's natural and social history, while its changing exhibitions draw on the museum's art, archaeology, human and natural history collections.
Tire yourself out with canyoning or horse riding
If you're feeling adventurous, head for Nae Limits, which is a 45-minute drive from Gleneagles. The company offers activities on land and in water, such as whitewater rafting, canyoning, adventure tubing and sphereing.
Equally active, the Blair Castle trekking centre is set in the castle's grounds, next to the deer park. The centre opened in the 1950s to provide summer work for the ponies used to carry stags and grouse in the sporting season. It's approved by the Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland (TRSS).
Explore a castle and then splash some cash
Head 36 miles north from Gleneagles to the castle of the Menzies clan. The name is probably Norman, with the family coming from Mesnieres near Rouen. They established themselves in Scotland when they were granted lords in the 12th century, in exchange for military service.
Beyond that, 10 miles north of Pitlochry, the House of Bruar is a good place to shop for some of Scotland's finest produce, clothing and rural artwork. There's something for everyone, from traditional Scottish tweed to food hampers.
Learn about Scotland's fishy history
Of course, some of Scotland's best-known produce is its fish. The Scottish Fisheries Museum is slightly further afield, situated on the harbour front in Anstruther on the east coast. It's the heart of the Fife fishing community and the museum, which opened in 1969, tells the story of fishing in Scotland.