Summer in Comrie: A Local's Guide
Long before leading the restoration of Drumearn House alongside her husband Mattias, Elizabeth Schøler Field spent a lifetime adventuring around Comrie. As our resident expert, we asked her to write a few words on what makes summer here so special – and everything that visitors should do to make the most of it...
That summer feeling
In summer, it feels like the whole village comes alive.
Comrie has a wonderful atmosphere all year round, but summer brings a different energy. The village feels busier, more social and more connected to the outdoors. Cafés and businesses are bustling, visitors are discovering the area for the first time and locals are making the most of the rivers, hills, trails and long evenings. There's a feeling that everyone wants to be outside enjoying the setting that makes this part of Perthshire so special.
For me, summer is about spending time outdoors with family, swimming in the spots I've visited since childhood, and enjoying simple things like a family barbeque in the garden. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Comrie has earned a reputation as one of Scotland’s most successful ‘Bloom’ villages, including Gold awards and recognition at a national level. I want to take a minute to give a huge thanks to the Comrie in Colour volunteers for always ensuring Comrie has wonderful flower displays and is always looking blooming lovely – especially in summer!
A packed summer schedule
One of the highlights of the summer calendar is Comrie Fortnight and the famous Float Parade, which brings the whole village together and creates a fantastic atmosphere. It’s something visitors often don't know about before coming but love to experience.
For outdoor adventures, I'd recommend picking your own flowers at Tomnah'a Market Garden, where you can spend a peaceful morning wandering through the flower fields and building your own bouquet. Cycling is another great way to explore the area, whether that's hiring bikes from Comrie Croft or joining one of the guided rides and adventures offered by Comrie Croft Journeys.
And for kids, no summer day is complete without enjoying the skate park at The Laggan or the play park at The Legion.
And of course, there’s the swimming (we don’t call it ‘wild swimming’ - we’ve done it here all our lives!). The Salmon Leap in Glen Artney is my favourite spot (if you know, you know) with its clear pools and cliffs that have been jumped by generations of locals. The Linn at the Ruchill (aka Comrie’s swimming pool) is another special place and somewhere I've been going since I was a child. If you prefer walking to swimming, the old railway path between Comrie and St Fillans offers beautiful views through Strathearn and is one of the best ways to experience the landscape. There’s also a host of baggable Munros within a short radius of Comrie: Ben Chonzie, Ben Vorlich, and Ben Lawers to name just three.
For those looking to relax, Thaw Wood Fired Sauna on Loch Earn offers weekend sauna sessions and private hire. The combination of soothing heat, bracing cold and loch views is a treat for the senses.
Summer in Comrie is also, of course, the season of Highland games!
The Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games, on the shore of Loch Earn, is a fantastic day out. The games combine traditional heavy events (like the caber toss and tug o’ war) with Highland dancing, pipe bands and a tangible community atmosphere. A few weeks later, the Crieff Highland Gathering gathers thousands together for one of Scotland's premier games.
For visitors, summertime in Comrie allows you to experience Scottish culture at its most authentic. And for such a wee place, there really is no limit to what you might do.
