October Tayfest, a week-long family festival

Aberfeldy, where October Tayfest will be held. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Events going on throughout the week include ghost walks, abseiling down Weem Rock and a beaver safari on the Tay - all ideal for kids and designed to showcase the natural beauty and fascinating history of the area. The programme also caters to the hard-working grown-ups in attendance, such as a whisky distillery tour and cocktail masterclass at Dewar’s Aberfeldy whisky distillery.

Families can take their nippers for gentle rounds of crazy golf at Mains of Taymouth – and if you’ve worked up an appetite, then you can head down to the Townhouse Hotel to sample the food and craft fair taking place across the week.

Since TayFest concludes on Halloween, youngsters will be treated to a spooky storytime session at the lovely Aberfeldy Watermill, as well as an atmospheric night ride along the banks of the Tay. A final Halloween themed Scottish barn dance to celebrate the end of the festival.

The opening of the festival will be equally spectacular, with a special screening of new Peter Pan film, Pan, to be shown at the wonderfully rural Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy.

The inaugural October TayFest saw more than 1,500 visitors attend the festival’s various events last year, and its organisers Explore Aberfeldy Tourist Association are confident of its growth this year.

Chair of Explore Aberfeldy Tourist Association Donald Riddell said: “This festival celebrates the fantastic scenery nature crafts and produce of this part of Highland Perthshire. It helps keep the area vibrant and busy and we are proud of our achievement.”