Discover Perth with megabus

The city of Perth is known by many monikers. To some, it’s Scotland’s former capital – a title it held for five whole centuries. For others, it’s The Fair City, thanks to a novel written by the famous Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott. And for others it’s simply the centre of Perthshire – an area of Scotland that’s punctuated by the beautiful River Tay. Whichever title suits it best, there’s no denying Perth’s universal appeal. Step off the coach here and you’ve got nature, history and culture in equal measure – and a clutch of vibrant shops and bars to boot. What are you waiting for? Book a coach to Perth today.

Perth: top 3 things to do

1. Step inside Scone Palace

The crowning place of the Kings of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce, Scone Palace is more than just a very cool name. Tour the stately home and you’ll get an idea of the level of splendor within its walls. Then explore the vast estate and Palace grounds, to Moot Hill, where the crowning ceremonies took place all those years ago.

2. Wander through Branklyn Garden

This two-acre hillside garden is within walking distance of the city centre, and it’s well worth a visit. Built in the 1920s, Branklyn Garden is crammed with rare and exotic plants whose seeds were collected by plant-hunters. As such, it’s become a bit of a pilgrimage for green-fingered gardeners and professional botanists alike.

3. Visit The Glenturret Distillery

Scotland’s oldest working distillery has been making whisky by hand since 1775, and you can learn all about it at The Glenturret Distillery - formerly known as The Famous Grouse Experience. The tour brings to life the long history of whisky in the area and how they go about creating The Glenturret single malt. And it’s set in stunning countryside in Crieff.

Perth: getting around

When you book coach travel to Perth with megabus you can usually expect things like free WiFi* onboard and a 20kg luggage allowance to cover all your packing. You can find out more about what’s included on our on board facilities page.

Once you get to Perth, the best place to start is the VisitScotland Perth iCentre. It’s right in the city centre, on the pedestrianised High Street. You can pop in and get your bearings with maps, leaflets, and recommendations on things to do. You can book tickets for various attractions here, too.

From here, the city is really easy to explore on foot. Keep walking along High Street and you’ll reach the bank of the River Tay. Or, branch off and head to streets like South Street, George Street and St John’s Street, which is where the bulk of Perth’s shops, cafés and restaurants are

Perth: best for nightlife

Perth may not be the clubbing capital of Scotland, but this city certainly has its fair share of decent pubs and bars. The Old Ship Inn on the High Street is the place to head if only a ‘proper’ pub will do, and The Bothy is worth a visit if you’re in the market for a decent dinner. The Venue on St John’s Street teams music, food and a great selection of gin – much to the delight of the locals. Last but not least, Perth Concert Hall is the one for theatre shows and music concerts. It’s the circular, glass-fronted building on Mill Street – you can’t miss it.

Perth: best for shopping

Perth makes a great shopping destination because all its major shopping streets are within close walking distance. The High Street runs through the city centre, and a large part of it is closed to cars so you can shop in peace. This is where you’ll find the likes of Next and Primark, as well as the entrance to the St John’s Shopping Centre for more of the same. Running parallel to this is South Street, which has a similar vibe plus lots of places to eat. And George Street and St John’s Street are the ones for independent shops and specialist stores, not to mention some lovely tea rooms and coffee shops.

Perth for free: our top 3

1. Visit Perth Museum and Art Gallery

One of Scotland’s oldest museums, Perth Museum and Art Gallery has enough treasures under its roof to keep you busy for hours. Plus, it’s free, and it’s in the city centre – on George Street – so it’d be rude not to pop in. Families are welcome, with plenty of interactive exhibitions and special events.

2. Walk along the River Tay

Get back to nature and walk or cycle along the Tay to Luncarty. It’s just over six miles leaving from the city centre, so walking will take about three hours. There are some prime fishing spots along the river, too, which is famous for Atlantic salmon fishing.

3. Step into The Fergusson Gallery

Just a short walk out of the city centre along the banks of the Tay is The Fergusson Gallery, housed in a rotunda-shaped former water tower. Inside, it’s full of works by Edinburgh-born artist J D Fergusson, as well as those of his lifelong companion, dancer Margaret Morris. It’s free to look around, but closed on Mondays and Sundays.

Book your travel to Perth today using the megabus journey planner.

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