Perthshire

Perthshire is a historic county in the centre of Scotland. Perth, from which the region takes its name, is the county town. Beartrix Potter, a famous English children’s author and illustrator, spent many long holidays in Perthshire, on the banks of the River Tay in Dunkeld. The Beartrix Potter Garden, in Birnam, is an interactive exhibition and tourist attraction. 

The highland area of Perthshire is intersected with glacial valleys, often containing ribbon lakes and lochs, such as Lochs Tay and Earn, as well as Munros such as Ben Lawers Nature Reserve. The lowland area is a fertile region, with agriculture including the cultivation of fruits, fodder, wheat and seed potatoes. Known as the ‘Big Tree Country’, Perthshire also encompasses lush forest, moors, and waterfalls, making it attractive for visitors from across the UK. 

Perthshire has an oceanic climate, with cool summers and mild winters, with average lows of 7°C and average highs of 15°C. The average sunshine hours are relatively low compared to other areas in the UK, of roughly 1350 hours per year, but peaking between March and September. Rainfall dips in early spring, rising towards the end of the summer and continuing to a peak in October. Homeowners in Perthshire can therefore rely on quite steady and predictable weather patterns to propagate lawns and garden plants effectively.