Golf

 
Crieff is a superb base for golfers who wish to play on different courses each day. From the magnificent PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles - the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup - to the local 9-hole courses at Muthill, Comrie and St Fillans, each course has its own distinctive challenges, while at the same time offering unrivalled views of beautiful Perthshire.
Autumn at Gleneagles

 

The Tourist Information Office has a couple of good packages on offer: 
For 9-hole courses, many of which are local to Crieff, use the Perthshire Highlands Golf Ticket, where you can golf for three or five rounds (each of 18 holes) for a discounted price. The courses are Comrie, Muthill, St Fillans, Dunkeld and Killin. 

The Perthshire Green Card gives you a choice of 3 or 5 rounds at the following 18 hole courses: The Ferntower Course at Crieff Golf Club, Aberfeldy, Alyth, Blairgowrie, Glenisla, Murrayshall, Muckhart, King James VI, Craigie Hill, Strathmore, Pitlochry, Taymouth Castle, Green Hotel (Kinross-shire), Whitemoss. 

The Crieff Golf Club offers the Ferntower Course, an 18-hole championship layout with a par of 71, with magnificent views over the Strathearn valley. The Dornock 9-hole round is equally impressive. It is recommended that you book your tee-off times in advance. 

The Foulford Inn, towards the Sma' Glen has a 9-hole course. 

The Crieff Hydro Hotel Golf Centre has a 18-hole course, as well as a 6-hole pitch and putt course. There is also a practice green, driving range and 9 hole crazy golf course. Equipment is available for hire, and tuition is available. 

The Gleneagles Hotel courses are now open to the public.

Horse Riding


Trek through the hills, or learn the basics in a covered, enclosed arena at one of the local horse-riding schools. 

Alichmore Livery and Riding Centre located approximately half a mile outside Crieff offers trekking, tuition, and group lessons for all levels. Strathearn Stables at the Hydro Hotel offers one-hour rides and lessons, jumping lessons, longer rides, and evening hacks.

Cycling


There are many quiet roads in the Crieff area, suitable for cycle rides, and off-road cycling on the Knock, and many of the designated walking paths are also suitable for mountain bikes. Take a trip along the back roads to Comrie, or out to Madderty - both running along the valley so few hills - or head upwards into the hills for a more challenging ride.

Cycle-hire

Cycle-hire is available locally if you just want to 'play at it'. 
 Comrie Croft bikes, located between Crieff and Comrie, have bike hire and various handcrafted trails in the hills behind with stunning scenery of the Strathearn area. They also run the Hairy Coo Mountain Bike Challenge in October - always good fun.

Fishing


The Strathearn Valley is renowned for its challenging and relaxing angling, amidst superb scenery. Salmon, brown and rainbow trout, char, grayling and pike are all to be found in the area. 

The Tourist Information Centre sells day permits for the Drummond Beat, the Upper Strowan Beat (both are managed by the Crieff Angling Club) and the Lochlane and Laggan Beats on the River Earn (which also has fully equipped fishing huts, with help and advice available from a full-time fisheries manager). 

The River Earn is the closest place for fishing. A broad, tranquil river at this point, it offers trout and salmon fishing. 



Other fishing in the area includes:
Braincroft Loch
Cowden Loch
Drummond Loch (ghillie & tuition by arrangement)
Loch Earn
Boat hire is available from Drummond Estates
Loch Freuchie
Loch Mealbrodden
Lochan a'Mhuillin
Loch Turret 


Glenae B&B has secure storage for your rods and also offers a drying room. One more point to mention…  if you catch it, I can cook it for you, or freeze it so you can take it home and boast to your friends… but not if you are an overseas visitor!

Water Sports


Lochearnhead Water sports Centre is just a few scenic miles away. This is an award winning activity centre, offering opportunities for all the family to enjoy water sports including: water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and canoeing.

Falconry


Perthshire Falconry Services at Braco gives the complete novice the opportunity of handling, flying and hunting with one of the largest collections of trained eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in Europe.

4x4 Off-Road Driving


Crieff Hydro Hotel Off-Road Centre allows you to test your driving skills in a 4x4 vehicle over 40 acres of mixed terrain, with an instructor guiding you all the way. 

Under 17's can be driven round the off-road course, and over 12's can try rally karting.

Tennis



Crieff Hydro Hotel offers the facilities for tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, croquet, swimming and petanque.

Views in and around Crieff Whatever time of year you choose to visit Perthshire, it is perennially stunning.
   




View from the top of Ben Vorlich. Photo taken by Mr B. Wyllie 14/01/10