local community

Crieff

Crieff is the main town in Strathearn which is easily accessible from the city airports of Edinburgh and Glasgow and from the rail and bus terminals of Gleneagles, Perth and Stirling. The town itself provides retail outlets which suit the needs of busy families, a large Medical Centre, modern Cottage Hospital and several dental practices.

Relaxation is taken seriously in this small town and Crieff Recreation Centre offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, gymnasium and squash courts. The famous Crieff Hydro adds to these facilities by providing a Victorian spa, tennis courts and horse-riding facilities for its members. Golfing is another favourite pastime and golfers are well catered for by the two 18-hole golf courses in Crieff. There are, also, a selection of 9-hole golf course in Crieff, Muthill, Comrie and St. Fillans. Gleneagles Hotel and Country Club is also just 11 miles away, with three championship golf courses, an equestrian centre and shooting school.

The surrounding countryside provides for all tastes in outdoor activities, including hill walking, climbing, fishing, water sports at Loch Earn and skiing within easy driving distance at Glenshee and Glencoe.

Comrie

Take a blank map of Scotland, point to the centre of the nation and your finger will not be far from where the stunningly picturesque village of Comrie is located.

Often referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown' of highland Perthshire, Comrie is beautifully situated at the head of Strathearn and takes its name from the Gaelic ‘Conruith' - meaning the confluence of streams. In Comrie's case the streams are three majestic highland rivers: the Earn, the Ruchill and the Lednock.

Surrounded by large areas of native woodland, Comrie is superbly rich in wildlife and further up the glens, there are heath-clad slopes leading to the mountain tops which are carpeted in arctic, alpine plants. Take a walk on one of the village's numerous sign-posted trails and you stand a chance of seeing iconic Scottish species such as the red squirrel, capercaillie, golden eagle, red deer, otter, black grouse and the osprey.

Home to a thriving rural community of just over 2000 people, Comrie is extremely well-catered for. On your doorstep you will find a variety of shops, quality hotels, excellent restaurants and an extensive range of sporting and leisure activities.

Muthill

Muthill, the birthplace of Thomas Morrison the founder of Morrison's Academy, is a village with 675 residents, 151 listed buildings and one listed red phone box.

Behind its apparently sleepy facade is a lively community with everything you would expect to find including a primary school, a pre-school play group, a general store and post office, a coffee shop, two pubs and a good restaurant.

The village museum and ruined church with an 11th century tower provide a historical dimension to the town with many stories of the town being heard in the Old Folk's Home.

Sport is, also important in the village and a bowling green and a nine hole golf course all make it well equipped. Muthill is home to the 2005/2006 nines senior golf champions for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and also to the Muthill Acoustic Music Appreciation Society. For those of you who don't fancy a round of golf then the nearby Drummond Castle has a magnificent Italian-style garden which is ideal for walks on long afternoons.