Scotland is known for being a friendly and welcoming destination. Scotland’s Tay Country has been working in partnership with VisitScotland to showcase the region’s accessibility.
Scotland’s Tay Country – which includes Dundee, Angus, Fife, and Perth and Kinross – is home to some of the most beautiful scenery the UK has to offer. With sweeping coastlines, enchanting forests, and a cluster of vibrant cities, the region is compact and connected. From coast to countryside, Tay Country unfolds with everywhere in easy reach, offering rich history, world-class cultural attractions, and opportunities for culinary, outdoor and rural adventures for all.
With accessibility at its heart and each region close to the next, Tay Country invites easy exploration. VisitScotland has partnered with AccessAble and a wide range of Tay Country businesses to boost inclusive travel opportunities. Let us whet your appetite for a trip to Tay Country…
PERTHSHIRE
In beautiful Perthshire, you’ll find Scone Palace – the crowning place of Scottish kings – and RSPB Loch Leven, where you can spot swallows and red squirrels on wheelchair accessible nature trails through the wetland and woodland.
Head north to the Scottish Crannog Centre, which is an immersive Iron Age village experience on the shores of Loch Tay. “We want to be the best place we can be, for anyone to come and be inspired by the stories that we have to tell,” explains Mike Benson, director at the historic site. “The more accessible we are, the better it is for everyone.”
Sadly, the Crannog was destroyed by fire in 2021 but, as part of its reconstruction, accessibility has now been engineered in, with physical access like f latter surfaces and wider doorways, plus staff training including disability awareness and Makaton communication, thanks to inclusion workshops from VisitScotland.
DUNDEE
This historic, vibrant city is at the heart of Scotland’s Tay Country, and offers convenient connections into Fife, Perthshire or Angus.
Dive back in time with a visit to RRS Discovery, and board the historic ship built in Dundee that took Captain Scott on his legendary Antarctic expedition of 1901. There’s ramped access to the main deck, and a film showing tours of the upper and lower decks, plus in-depth museum exhibits.
Dundee is also home to The McManus Art Gallery and Museum, Dundee Museum of Transport, and V&A Dundee – Scotland’s Design Museum. Dundee Science Centre is family-friendly, and the Centre’s Lorraine Lemon says: “Accessibility is a key focus. We continue to invest in facilities, engagement programmes, and staff training, further supporting our mission making science accessible for all.”
ANGUS
In Angus, visitors can enjoy a slower pace, experiencing rural life up close at Newton Farm Holidays. Founded nine years ago, owner Louise Nicoll has expanded the agritourism business from accommodation to farm tours, and is keen to ensure all visitors can enjoy their experience. “You want to be as prepared as you can be,” she explains, which is why she recently took part in inclusion training with VisitScotland.
From blind guests to visitors with autism, learning disabilities, dementia or mobility impairments, the farm owner has welcomed many disabled visitors. She says: “The training inspired me to get on and start making even more improvements for disabled visitors.” Whether you go to enjoy a farm to table food experience, or an autism-friendly lambing session, there’s plenty to enjoy down on Newton Farm.
For foodies visiting the area, a trip to The Bothy Experience is a must. Nestled in the historic village of Glamis – just minutes from Glamis Castle, the award-winning Gin Bothy offers tastings, afternoon gin teas, and street food pop-ups. Or enjoy the fresh air at Murton Farm near Forfar, with its 100 acre nature reserve and tearoom.
FIFE
Head to the ancient Kingdom of Fife to visit Scotland’s newest city, Dunfermline, where you’ll discover royal history, the quaint Old Town, a stunning city centre park, and the tastiest dishes from Scotland’s natural larder. Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries may have opened in 1883, but now boasts the best in modern accessibility. Fife Cultural Trust’s Jennifer Taylor explains: “As a result of the VisitScotland and Tay Country programme, I’m setting up an Access Champions Group to continue to share learning and best practice. We have included accessible transport links on our website and are developing a carers policy for customers.”
You can enjoy Fife’s award-winning coastline with the help of beach wheelchairs at West Sands in St Andrews, and Silverburn Park, where two adult-sized and two child-sized beach wheelchairs can be prebooked for hire. These allow safe, comfortable access to the beach, and even a shallow ‘paddle’ in the sea!
Nearby Lochore Meadows is Fife’s top free visitor attraction, and was recently voted the UK’s most accessible walk. Or why not soak up some outdoor wellbeing at Cambo Gardens? This walled garden has historic stables and a woodland estate. Enjoy your visit with pretty walks, a café and accessibility throughout.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
VisitScotland: visitscotland.com/accessible
AccessAble: accessable.co.uk/scotland-s-tay-country
VisitScotland Business Support Hub – https://support.visitscotland.org/