birding...

Perth and Kinross is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre. It corresponds broadly, but not exactly, with the former counties of Perthshire and Kinross-shire.

Perthshire and Kinross-shire had a joint county council from 1929 until 1975. The area was created a single district in 1975, in the Tayside region, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and then reconstituted as a unitary authority (with a minor boundary adjustment) in 1996, by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. The county has the slogan:"Scotland's First Fairtrade County"

The geological fault that gives the distinctive character to lowland and highland Scotland passes southwest-northeast through the area. The population is largely centred in the lowlands, along wide fertile valleys such as Strathearn, and the Carse of Gowrie. To the north and west are the Grampians intersected by narrow glens with lochs in their valley floors. Among the highest elevations in the Grampians are Ben Lawers (1,214 m/3,984 ft) and Schiehallion (1,083 m/3,554 ft); in the south are the lower Ochil and Sidlaw Hills. The fertile lowland valleys are productive of soft fruit and arable farming whereas the northern highland areas support cattle as well as economically significant salmon farms. To the north, there is afforestation and 14 hydroelectric power installations. The attractions of the natural scenery of mountains and lochs has made tourism an important part of northern Perth and Kinross' economy.

To the north, there is afforestation and 14 hydroelectric power installations. The attractions of the natural scenery of mountains and lochs has made tourism an important part of northern Perth and Kinross' economy.