The towns of Crieff and Comrie in Strathearn, Perthshire are bordered by the River Earn and home to the beautiful Loch Earn. The name ‘Crieff’ is actually taken from the old Gaelic word ‘craobh’, meaning ‘among the trees’ and it truly lives up to its name. Alive with natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Crieff and Comrie are ideal destinations for hikers and bikers.
The poet William McGonagall immortalised the town of Crieff’s outstanding scenic beauty in his poem ‘Crieff’:
"Ye lovers of the picturesque, if ye wish to drown your grief,
Take my advice, and visit the ancient town of Crieff."
Here are some of the best things to do in Crieff and Comrie, Perthshire.
For animal lovers and families, the Auchingarrich wildlife park in Comrie is a fun day out for all ages. There are plenty of activities and opportunities to meet the animals for the children, including feeding the animals, visiting the hatchery, pony rides and even milking a cow! There is an indoor and outdoor play centre (including soft play) and mini golf site, and of course plenty of exotic and farm animals to discover.
Once you’ve seen everything, the on-site café is full of refreshments to keep you going.
Attention whiskey aficionados! The Famous Grouse Experience in Crieff is an exciting and entertaining tour of Scotland’s oldest distillery. Discover the whiskey making process and enjoy a tasting experience before heading over to Wilde Thyme at Glenturret for an exquisite Perthshire meal.
A must-visit for history lovers, Drummond Castle and its gardens is just a five minute drive from the centre of Crieff. Though the castle is not open to the public, visitors can enter the impressive gardens for a charming stroll.
The Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival celebrates the life of the people who made Crieff the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s. The festival involves a series of picturesque guided walks for all abilities, social events including music, drama and film, a mountain bike event and plenty of food and drinks stalls!
For adventure lovers, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the breath-taking Loch Earn, from watersports such as windsurfing and water-skiing to climbing and mountain biking. For those who like their sports to be a little more relaxing, Loch Earn is the ideal place for fishing.
Take a hike up the Ben Vorlich Mountain at Loch Earn or cycle on one of its bike trails.
Possibly the most fun you can have in Crieff, Action Glen is perfect for families, stag and hen groups and adventure lovers! An action-packed activity centre, visitors can have a go at zipwire, watersports, shooting, driving experiences, golf and much more.
Perthshire is known for its quirky and original shops and galleries; Crieff and Comrie have a varied selection of unique places to visit.
The delightful Riverside Garden Centre & Art Gallery can be found just outside Comrie, alongside the Tullybannocher Café. The centre sells garden supplies and some lovely gifts, and the gallery displays local arts and crafts.
The Strathearn Gallery displays contemporary art from well-known and up-and-coming Scottish artists. Well worth a visit and a browse, this gallery also sells applied art such as ceramics, jewellery and sculpture.
Held during the summer seasons, the popular Crieff Town Market has a wide variety of country stalls, from traditional farmers’ market produce to crafts and jewellery.
Crieff is home to Gordon & Durward, a traditional sweet shop that first opened in 1925. A delight for adults and children, the shop sells jars of sweets, homemade fudge and the famous Scottish sugar mice!
A rare treat for book lovers, the Library of Innerpeffray is Scotland’s oldest lending library located in a tranquil rural location by the River Earn. The library is a fascinating historic site that offers visitors the chance to get up close to books from the 17th century.
The quality of the food and drink available at Crieff and Comrie is superb. Along with the farmer’s market, there are many delightful places to eat and drink; here are just some of the best.
A very welcoming restaurant, The Deil’s Cauldron offers a unique dining experience in an 18th century cottage. Specialising in Mediterranean and Scottish food, the restaurant has a varied menu including tapas. If you just fancy a drink, the wine bar is open until late.
Be transported through incredible flavour with a meal at Thai Esan. Carefully curated menu to bring you a taste of asian. The restaurant has both vegetarian and vegan options.
You’ll find award winning food at Barley Bree in Crieff; the restaurant recently won the coveted Restaurant of the Year award in the Scottish Restaurant Awards. The eatery is known for its ability to turn local Scottish ingredients into dishes with fantastic flavour.
If you’re looking for devine mediterranean, Delivino is not to be missed. Serving tasteful and elegant pizza's and pasta's, this lovely restaurant that takes pride in its exquisite menus. This is the ideal place for wine, sharing platters and somewhere for the whole family.
As Crieff and Comrie are home to so many amazing restaurants to try, you’ll want to hire a self-catering cottage for your holiday. Home from Home Perthshire we have a wide range of self-catering holiday homes in Crieff and Comrie. Have a look at our contact us page for more information and to book.