20 Best Green Spaces and Parks Near Perth, Scotland

Perth has a lovely setting across the River Tay. This posts lists the best green spaces and parks near Perth.

In the city, there is spacious parkland inches as well as smaller parks dotted throughout the park. On the fringes of the park, there are two woodland parks.

Quarrymill Woodland Park has three trails through the woodland. Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park has wonderful viewpoint over the River Tay valley.

Perthshire is full of wonderful landscapes including valleys, glens, waterfalls, mountains and lochs. There are a good selection of parks in Crieff, Kinross, Dunkeld and Blairgowrie.

Keep reading to find out our take on what parks and trails are worth visiting near Perth, Scotland.

Quarrymill Woodland Park 

There are three walks in this ancient 27-acre woodland park, all short and varied to suit people from all different abilities. Some are easy and well-paved while other paths have higher steeper paths. 

Quarrymill Woodland Park has been the site of quarries, mills and woodland since the 14th century. The stone used to be quarried on this site, and the material collected was used for local houses.

Also, watermills were built to utilise the water from the nearby Annaty Burn. 

Today, visitors can see a wide range of wildlife, the millpond is home to tufted ducks and mallards.

Water insects and dipper birds are present in the burn. In the warmer months, bluebells and red squirrels are covered beneath the trees.

A slightly longer walk takes you through Quarrymill to the suburbs of Scone and Scone Old Parish Church. There is free car parking and a charity coffee shop on site.

The visitor centre has more information about Quarrymill Woodland Park. Quarry Woodland Park is a five-minute drive north from the centre of Perth. 

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park is located to the east of Perth. This woodland park offers 5 hills – Corsiehill, Deuchny Hill, Barn Hill, Binn Hill and Kinnoull Hill.

There are a bunch of different paths to follow and the main path have markers. Kinnoull Hill is the highest of the five hills and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Visitors can embark on the great tranquil walk up the hill to the ruined 19th century cliffside tower. The paths are well formed and tended.

Kinnoull Hill was opened back in 1991 as Scotland’s first official woodland park. There is a wide range of wildlife and nature, the park is home to roe deer and red squirrels. 

From the centre of Perth, the car park for Kinnoull Hill is only a seven-minute drive away. There are a few car parks and several starting points to get up the hills.

North Inch

North Inch is a large open green space just north of the City of Perth. It is easy to access and there is a full circular path around the park which is lovely to complete.

The park is located right next to the River Tay and there is a couple of viewing bays along the way. 

A very popular place for outdoor sports using extensive playing fields within or along the parkland, including the North Inch Golf Course. The Black Watch Museum can be accessed from the Inch.

The North Inch is also a popular venue for major events and festivals. There is some paid parking available near the sports centre. 

South Inch

South Inch is an open public park in the centre of Perth, the second and smaller of the two “Inches” in Perth. The inches were granted to the city when it was a royal burgh, by King Robert II in 1374.

Both Inches were once islands in the River Tay. There is a loch which was a former boating lake, a play park and a skate park.

South Inch is the location of the Perth Highlands Games and Perth Show. Also, every month there is a Perth Famers’ Market.

South Inch is close to the city centre, bus station and train station. 

Kirkgate Park, Kinross

Kirkgate Park is a peaceful, tranquil place which is located on the banks of Loch Leven. The park is 7 hectares and is the main green space in Kinross.

Due to being next door to the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, it is popular with locals and tourists.

Kirkgate Park has a play area, an extensive path network, toilet facilities and the shoreline path from part of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail.

There are plenty of car parking spaces along the north boundary of the park. Kirkgate Park is a twenty-five-minute drive from the centre of Perth. 

Moncreiffe Hill

From Moncreiffe Hill there are excellent views across Perth, the Ochils and Fife. This is an excellent circular route which explores Moncreiffe Hill and the surrounding beautiful woodland.

There is plenty of historic interest including two iron age forts to explore. The route takes two to three hours to complete.

There are two car parks, the northern car park is the best one for information regarding the sculpture trails and hill forts. The northern car park is a ten-minute drive from the centre of Perth.

Abernethy Glen, Abernethy

Abernethy Glen is a stunning hidden gem. This route starts in the centre of Abernethy village.

I would recommend taking the ascent of Castle Law, an iron age fort and a superb viewpoint. The trail takes two hours to complete.

There is a small car park in the centre of Abernethy.

Scone Circular, Scone

In 2005, this circular walk was created to celebrate the bi-centenary of the moving of Scone from its original position near Scone Palace. The walk involves an easy ascent to two hilltop monuments, both have excellent views.

The two monuments are Macduff’s Folly and the Lynedoch Obelisk. On the way back to Scone, the path meanders through a gold course and Scone.

This route takes approximately two hours to complete. There is a car park next to Scone Old Church at the southern end of the village.

MacRosty Park, Crieff

MacRosty Park has been a focal point in the west side of Crieff for over 100 years. The park features woodland, a path network, a café, a play park and a Victorian bandstand.

MacRosty Park has lovely views across Strathearn and towards Ben Chonzie. There is a wide variety of mature trees and the Turret Burn runs through the park.

During the summer months, concerts are held at the bandstand. MacRosty Park is a forty-minute drive from Perth.

Larghan Park, Coupar Angus

Larghan Park is an 8.2 hectare located adjacent to open countryside and fields on the edge of the settlement. There is a play area, skate park and plenty of picnic areas throughout the park.

Larghan Park is located in Coupar Angus and is half an hour’s drive from the centre of Perth.

Victoria Park, Aberfeldy

Victoria Park is located only a few minutes walk from the centre of the town. The 2.8-hectare has links to the River Tay and adjacent River Tay.

Also, there is a golf course and opportunities for tennis and bowling provided by clubs next to the park. In addition, there is a play park and skate park.

Victoria Park is the location for the annual cycling festival. 

Davie Park, Blairgowrie

There is a large grassed area which caters for sports. Loon Braes is a wilder area managed for biodiversity, there is a good pond here which is popular for bird spotting.

The parking area is off Ashgrove Road beside the Pavilion. Davie Park is located in Rattray to the east of Blairgowrie.

This park is a half-hour drive north of the Perth city centre.

Hosh Circuit Walk, Crieff

The Hosh Circuit Walk is a two-kilometre walk that leads you past the Crieff Hydro activity centre and Glen Turret Distillery. Also, there are fantastic views across lower Glen Turret and the woodlands give you shelter from the weather.

To begin the walk, you can park in Knock Car Park which overlooks Crieff. The circuit is a half an hour’s drive from Perth.

Currochs Circuit Walk, Crieff

Currochs Circuit Walk is a good circular walk which is 8 kilometres long. The route takes walkers through MacRosty Park, over to and past Glenturret Distillery and up to Laggan Hill.

The route includes Lowers Walk and a walk though MacRosty Park. The route takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Visitors can park in the MacRosty Park car park. The path is a thirty five minute walk from Perth.

Loch Leven National Nature Reserve

Loch Leven is a huge expanse of water, which is the perfect place for freshwater breeding ducks and countless birds. Marvel at the awe-inspiring sight of huge flocks.

Also, the island in the middle of the loch has historical links to Mary Queen of Scots. There are 21 kilometres of trails around the loch, Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a very accessible flat trail for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs.

The RSPB Loch Leven is set on the southern shore of the loch, this nature reserve is a great day out for everyone, especially nature lovers.

During the summer, ospreys visit the loch to fish and pink-footed geese from Iceland arrive at the loch in autumn. 

Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve

Ben Lawers is the main focal point of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. This Munro is the highest mountain in the central highlands and is the 10th highest Munro in Scotland, standing at 1,214 metres.

There is a section of the nature reserve that is fenced off, and Edramucky Trail can be enjoyed as a gentle walk. There is a variety of wildlife including roe deer, ravens, skylarks and black grouse.

Also, there are gorgeous views overlooking Loch Tay, a rugged landscape from Glencoe to the Cairngorms. The Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve has seven Munros, which Munro baggers can begin to tick off. 

One of the most popular routes is bagging Beinn Ghlass and Ben Lawers together. In addition, there are tracks leading up to Meall nan Tarmachan ridge. 

The nature reserve is cared for by the National Trust of Scotland. There is a £3 fee at the Ben Lawers car park, the machine accepts cards.

This nature reserve is 50 miles away from Perth, approximately one hour and 15 minutes of driving.

Inner Tay Estuary Local Nature Reserve

The inner estuary of the River Tay contains the most extensive continuous reed beds in Britain. There is a variety of landscapes including mudflats, beaches and dunes which support a variety of wildlife. 

Hermitage, Dunkeld

This magical Perthshire forest was original a pleasure ground in the 18th century for the Dukes of Atholl. There is a variety of paths which take you along River Braan or through the Tay Forest.

For a longer walk, head to Pinecone Viewpoint has gorgeous views across the River Tay. Head to Ossian’s Hall to get the best view of Black Linn Falls.

Ossian’s Hall was built in 1757 as a focal point in an extensively designed landscape. Paintings, sliding panels, and mirror decorated the interior of Ossian’s Hall, this creates illusions of amazement.  

The Hermitage is located near Dunkeld and is a thirty-minute drive from Perth.

Other Parks in Perth:

Does Perth Scotland have a Zoo?

No, there is not a zoo in Perth. The nearest zoo to Perth is the Wildlife Centre in Camperdown Country Park, Dundee.

Also, there is a small zoo in Cupar, Fife. For a larger zoo, head to Edinburgh Zoo where they have a lot of interesting animals including pandas.

Is Perthshire worth visiting?

Perthshire is a county in Scotland which is worth visiting. There are some beautiful and unique villages with lots of history and nature attractions.

From lochs in Kinross to forests near Pitlochry, there is so much to explore. Perthshire is big for Munros, waterfalls, lochs, woodland trails and wildlife spotting. 

How many park are there is Perth?

There are eight parks in Perth. There are two woodland parks – Quarrymill Woodland Park and Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park.

Two of the bigger parks, North Inch and South Inch are located next to Perth’s city centre.

Final Note

This post lists the best green spaces and parks near Perth, Scotland. There is a wide variety of parks across Perthshire in Kinross, Scone, Crieff, Kenmore, Aberfeldy, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie and Dunkeld.

Perthshire is an excellent place to go for a walk as there is so much Highland scenery to enjoy.