Swinney: Kenmore top place in Highland Perthshire

JOHN Swinney, the Scottish Finance Secretary and MSP for Perthshire North, has revealed his romantic side by naming the picturesque conservation village of Kenmore as his favourite place in Highland Perthshire.

It was the spot, on the banks of Loch Tay, where he enjoyed his first date with former BBC reporter Elizabeth Quigley whom he married in 2003.

Mr Swinney was asked to name his “Big Five” favourite things to see and do in Highland Perthshire, as part of the area’s campaign to encourage more visitors to the area.

The other locations picked by Mr Swinney included the Birnam Arts Institute, a community arts venue which also houses the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden; Blair Castle at Blair Atholl, seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to the Atholl Highlanders, Britain’s only private army; and Loch Rannoch.

A spokeswoman for Highland Perthshire Ltd, which represented around 250 tourism organisations and companies in the area, said: “Highland Perthshire Ltd has received funding from VisitScotland in this Year of Natural Scotland to help raise its profile as a high quality, accessible destination which offers a wealth of things to see and do for anyone who loves Scotland’s stunning natural environment. Leading travel bloggers are due to visit the area soon to take part in some wet and wild adventure experiences - another famed attraction of this part of the world.”