Nature and family fun is focus of annual October TayFest

A festival dedicated to “nature’s playground” in Highland Perthshire is hoping to welcome more visitors than ever before.

October TayFest kicks off midway through the month and runs for nine days, encompassing 31 events.

One of the highlights of the festival is the traditional closing of the salmon season, which will take place on October 14 at the Kenmore Hotel.

It marks the start of their migration from the rivers in which they were spawned to the feeding grounds via the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors wishing to see more of Scotland’s wildlife will be able to take part in an autumn safari, which is being run every day during the festival.

The tours will include the chance to see red deer, roe deer, red squirrels and a variety of birds of prey.

The festival will close with an autumn fair at Errichel, which will showcase Perthshire produce.

The annual festival is organised by the Visit Aberfeldy Tourist Association.

A spokesman said: “With 31 events taking place over nine days within the Aberfeldy and Loch Tay area, we are confident October TayFest offers something for everyone; whether you like the adrenaline rush of watersports, scary ghost walks, family movies, local crafts and produce, archaeology, storytime and book signings, the roar of the stag on a mountain safari or children’s activities.

“This year sees the festival grow in strength and we look forward to welcoming more visitors from all over the country to our events.”

It runs from October 14 to 22 and a list of events can be found at octobertayfest.co.uk.