Looking from the steep-sided glens of the Ochil Hills across the broad valley of the River Earn to the Grampian Mountains, visitors readily agree that Auchterarder lies amidst some of Scotland's most attractive scenery.
This fine setting was the inspiration for the construction of internationally famous Gleneagles Hotel in the 1920's. With its luxurious standards of comfort and service, combined with superb leisure facilities which include a purpose-built shooting school and equestrian centre, the hotel is a resort itself.
Mention of Gleneagles leads the mind inevitably to golf, and there is no doubt that this is an area beloved by golfers. Both the keen club player and the family holiday golfer will find that the local courses at Auchterarder, Whitemoss and Dunning offer an enjoyable challenge amidst scenic surroundings. There are numerous other golf courses within a short drive.
But golf is far from being the only sport which can be appreciated locally. The countryside is ideal for pony-trekking and there are two local centres. Shooting can also be enjoyed and anglers can choose from a selection of lochs, reservoirs and rivers, with the salmon fishing on the River Earn particularly popular. For the more adventurous, parachuting takes place above Strathallan airfield every weekend. Probably the most popular activity of all is walking, and the district is rich in possibilities which range from gentle strolls through woods and along country lanes to the more serious hill walks which abound in the Ochil Hills and Grampian Mountains.
The motto on Auchterarder's town crest says 'A city stood on a hill cannot be hid'. Although Auchterarder may not be a city, its attractions are certainly not hidden from view.
Being a long established trading centre, the town has great experience of welcoming visitors, and the many local providers draw on this tradition of hospitality.
There is a good selection of places to eat in Auchterarder and surrounding areas, where a particular feature is the warm Perthshire welcome which is always in evidence. Few visitors who discover the Auchterarder area fail to return.
Shopping is a particular pleasure in Auchterarder - a community where personal service and small, family-run businesses are the rule rather than the exception. Known as 'The Lang Toon' because of its extended main street, Auchterarder is particularly noted for its antique shops, quality woollen goods, high-class fashion and gift shops. A window shopping expedition along the High Street will provide an opportunity to study the variety and excellence of the goods on offer. And, suitably refreshed by a meal or snack in one of the many good eating places locally, the visitor can reflect that, in Auchterarder, the finest products which Scotland has to offer are waiting to be discovered.
Auchterarder Heritage Centre housed in the Tourist Information Centre, gives an insight into the town's history and people.
A few miles from Auchterarder are several places of historic interest and smaller communities which are well worth a visit:-
Innerpeffray Library, the oldest surviving public library in Scotland, which was founded in 1690 and houses some fascinating volumes of great antiquity.
Braco, is a small village which is best known for Ardoch Roman Camp.
Dunning, is a typical Perthshire settlement, where the 12th century Norman Tower of St Serf's Church, dominates the village. To the west is Maggie Wall's Monument, which commemorates the burning in 1657 of the said lady as a witch. A standing stone in a field to the north commemorates the Battle of Duncrub in 964 AD, whilst the Thorn Tree is a memorial to the burning of the village in 1716 by the retreating Jacobites.
Scone Palace in Perth is where all Scotland's kings were crowned, and is now a major tourist attraction.
Perth, Stirling, Pitlochry, St Andrews, The Trossachs, Loch Lomond, Glasgow and Edinburgh are all less than 1 hour away.