Known as the Gateway to the Highlands, Perthshire is a fantastic base for a countryside holiday, and staying on a working farm, smallholding, or historic estate is a wonderful way to experience the region’s beautiful landscapes and rural way of life first-hand.
Holiday cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions, and lodges on working farms and country estates in Perthshire
Meet farm animals including sheep, cows, pigs, goats, alpacas, and horses, with lambs in spring
Enjoy traditional country pursuits such as fishing, shooting, and stalking
Explore Tay Forest Park, The Hermitage, and Loch Leven National Nature Reserve
Visit Scone Palace, Blair Castle and Gardens, Blair Athol Distillery, and Auchingarrich Wildlife Park
Best for historic castles, ancient forests, golf, fishing, walking, and biking
Perthshire supports a diverse mix of farming, shaped largely by the region’s transition from the Central Lowlands to the Highlands.
The lowlands and eastern parts of Perthshire are characterised by flat, fertile land, well suited to arable farming and horticulture. Vegetable production is particularly important, with brassicas such as broccoli and cauliflower, root vegetables, and potatoes among the key crops. Areas such as Strathmore are renowned for their soft fruit, such as strawberries and raspberries, due to the combination of long daylight hours and cooler temperatures which allows the berries to ripen slowly, helping to develop their flavour. The area is also home to several PYO (pick-your-own) farms, where visitors can pick their own seasonal fruit.
In the lower valleys, farmers grow a range of arable crops, including wheat and oilseed rape, as well as barley for the Scotch whisky industry.
Further north, the upland regions are better suited to livestock farming, with traditional hill farms rearing sheep alongside hardy cattle breeds such as Beef Shorthorns and Highland cattle.
Perthshire is also home to a number of renowned sporting estates, and while the region does not have legally recognised crofts, small, family-run farms remain an important part of the rural landscape.
With such a varied agricultural landscape, there is a farm stay to suit everyone in Perthshire, whether you want to interact with friendly farm animals, relax in stunning countryside surrounded by open fields, or try your hand at traditional country pursuits.
With more than 200,000 acres of woodland and forest, Perthshire has earned its nickname, ‘Big Tree Country’. Its landscape is also characterised by deep glens, clear rivers, and dramatic waterfalls, making it an ideal destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
For those looking for a challenge, there are over 20 Munros to tackle, including Ben Lawers, Perthshire’s highest peak, and Schiehallion, a cone-shaped mountain covered in quartz. Alternatively, take a scenic boat trip across Loch Tay or Loch Tummel, keeping an eye out for some of Perthshire’s iconic wildlife along the way, including red deer, red squirrels, pine martens, and ospreys.
The acres of beautiful countryside also makes Perthshire a great destination for a dog-friendly farm stay. Just remember to keep dogs close and on a lead when walking near livestock.
Perthshire also has strong royal connections dating back centuries, and the region is home to several historic royal sites and residences, most notably Scone Palace, a Gothic Revival house built on the site of an early medieval abbey where Scottish monarchs were crowned, and Blair Castle, the ancestral home of Clan Murray.
Our collection of farm stays in Perthshire has something to suit everyone, from contemporary barn conversions and traditional farmhouses for families and groups of friends to cosy cottages for couples.
Many properties come with on-site extras such as games rooms, tennis courts, and fishing lakes, giving you plenty to keep everyone entertained without having to leave your accommodation. For a more relaxing stay, choose a farm with a hot tub for enjoying warm summer evenings, or an open fire or wood-burning stove for a cosy retreat on cooler days.
Travelling with children? A farm stay offering hands-on animal experiences can be a wonderful choice. Meet Highland cows, bottle-feed lambs or collect fresh eggs from the hens for a memorable taste of life on the farm.
Whether you’re planning an outdoor adventure or a romantic weekend break staying on a farm gives you a new way to experience Perthshire. Browse our collection and find somewhere for your next countryside escape.
