Highland Perthshire is home to some of Scotland's most challenging mountains, loveliest lochs and best salmon rivers.
At this time of year, with the trees in full leaf and lush hedgerows home to an abundance of wildlife, lowland Perthshire is also idyllic – a perfect place to breathe in fresh air and clear the mind.
Right in the middle of this peace and quiet, however, a high-adrenaline pursuit takes place. Parachuting at Strathallan Airfield makes for a complete contrast to the countryside around, and watching it is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny day, especially for children.
Unless it is really busy, the club doesn't mind you parking up and looking out over the grass landing strip as little planes drop their intrepid passengers back down to earth.
Despite the tranquil setting you should remember this is a working airfield; therefore keep on the correct side of fences and barriers and make sure children are properly under control.
Obviously parachuting is not possible in bad weather so keep this trip for a fine day and go at the weekend when jumping usually takes place.
To get there, drive three miles down the B8062 from Auchterarder and turn left immediately before Kinkell Bridge. The airfield entrance is a mile down the road from there, on the left.
If after watching the parachutes you fancy taking to the skies yourself, contact Skydive Strathallan on 07774 686161 (0176 466 2572 at weekends) or go to
http://www.skydivestrathallan.co.uk/.
Alternatively you may wish to stretch your legs a little. If so, head back to Kinkell Bridge, turn left to cross it, and a riverside path starts just down a road to the right.
The full article contains 301 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
