"Tayside - Birthplace of the Nation - by River Tay" Tayside by scotlandscotour

Tayside Travel Guide: 390 reviews and 595 photos

Tayside is Scotland and Essential to Visit

Tayside is the lands around the mighty River Tay as it pours down from the wilds of Rannoch Moor in the Highlands into the Sea amidst fertile farmlands.

Tayside is the home of Scotland, the place where historically the country was born, where kings battled and where man settled from the first nomadic ventures 8,000 years ago.
Tayside is both Highland and Lowland, City and Country, Old and New. Just because it is close to Edinburgh. you'd be a fool to miss it by dashing north to Loch Ness. Still, that keeps most daft tourists away!
Crannog and Oldest Tree
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Tayside is Perth and Dundee and Highlands

River Tay In Spring - Near Stanley, Perth

The main urban centres of Tayside are Dundee (city feel) and Perth (modest town), with lots of rolling farmland, low hills studded with historic sites (Iron & Bronze Age hill forts, Stone Circles, Crannogs, Celtic Crosses, Pictish Stones) and the gateway villages of the Highlands. Its a country all of its own really, and deserves exploring.

See my Perth pages for loads of info & pictures of the city and interesting places.

See more of Perthshire / Tayside in Tayside, Scotland. Tips - All Perth based! :-)
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Fertile Lands with Paths to Walk / Cycle

Roman Road through farmland

Man first settled Tayside because the River Tay gave good access inland, good communication, fishing and materials, and the soil is rich, fertile land washed down by the water and ice.

The lands have seen wave after wave of tribal visits ... Picts, Angles, Britons, ... then Romans, Vikings, and "English", each leaving relicks and so the area is full of historic sites - for the adventurous and educated.

This Roman road links the town of Crieff with Perth, and has remains of watch towers / forts along its way. You'll have it all to yourself.

See more of this countryside at www.bluewoad.com

Pros and Cons

Pros:History, easy access, beautiful, diverse, good weather, no midgies
Cons:forgotten by tourists "rushing" north from Edinburgh
In a nutshell:The Heart of Scotland, Birthplace of the Nation

Last visit to Tayside: Mar 2004
Intro Updated Jun 16, 2004
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Reviews (7)

Abandoned Farmhouse - Do You Want It? Off The Beaten Path (3)

I'm driven crazy by all these abandoned, deralict, neglected houses. They are in perfectly good condition - just seems... more travel advice

Fortingall Yew - Oldest Living Thing in Europe? - Tayside

Oldest Living Thing in Europe -... Things to Do (3)

Here is a picture of the Oldest Living Thing In Europe, its claimed. Fortingall Yew Tree Still growing despite being... more travel advice

Perthshire - View from a Hill Fort - Tayside

Tay - Fertile Lands Guarded by Highland... Off The Beaten Path (3)

Perthshire straddles the "Highland Boundary Fault" - as this photo shows. The photographer stands on the Highlands and... more travel advice

Pitlochry - Something Missing? - Tayside

Pitlochry - Tourist Town - But Why? I'll... Tourist Traps (1)

The Victorians started it, flocking to the fresh air and open spaces of the Highlands of Scotland, following the... more travel advice

Comments (8)

hekate Jan 31, 2008 at 1:49 AM Report Abuse

Hi Malcolm, long time no seen. I always love to read your pages :) I was also thinking that it is about time to pdate my pages... Nina
JetlagCity Dec 17, 2004 at 1:43 PM Report Abuse

I'd say "forgotten by tourists" is a pro, not a con, especially for such a scenic area!
deecat Sep 10, 2004 at 8:08 AM Report Abuse

Such "bittersweet" information. Beautiful area is left deserted, and a concrete dam has visitors...Thanks for all the great info and glorious photos.
BerniShand Sep 7, 2004 at 2:23 PM Report Abuse

wonderful ! this was a `maybe` before [ because of the distilleries ] but now its a `definate` on the list
Pawtuxet Aug 27, 2004 at 5:53 AM Report Abuse

Delightful account of the countryside, river, history, and those marvelous abandoned houses! Hmmm....could I manage a home in two countries?
iandsmith Jul 11, 2004 at 6:06 AM Report Abuse

You'd love Tasmania! Old buildings, crappy weather (I can actually handle 5 consecutive days of glorious 20 (proper) degrees bathed in sunshine) and gorgeous scenery without tourists. I'm sure I've seen that crannog pic more than once. Love your photos.
Sileas May 7, 2004 at 5:10 AM Report Abuse

Great collection of tips! I really enjoyed the Crannog Centre when I was there, too...
globetrott Apr 26, 2004 at 6:02 PM Report Abuse

a lot of great tips ! What a pity I missed that Iron Age Crannog !