Pitlochry Accommodation

Wild Highland Perthshire landscapes at Pitlochry

Sublime Views of Loch Tummel near Pitlochry

Loch Tummel, Northwest of Pitlochry

Pitlochry Highland Perthshire, Fishing Pitlochry, Blair Castle, Scotch Whisky Tours Perthshire

Pitlochry gets busy, particularly in the summer season. It's not just the fact that flower adorned Pitlochry sits just off the main A9 route north towards the Hightlands, making it a popular stop-off location, but also its superb choice of fine restaurants, pubs, specialist shops, outdoor activities in the area, and surrounding wild Highland Perthshire landscapes.

Pitlochry makes a fine base for exploring Highland Perthshire. The wild Blair Atholl estate with castle and pony trekking on-site is just to the north as is the rugged gorge Pass of Killiecrankie, site of the famous Jacobite uprising at the Battle of Killiecrankie. Killiecrankie visitors centre has exhibits on this famous battle and on the natural hisotry and wildlife in this stunning area. Two fine Scotch whisky distilleries are in the Pitlochry area - the Blair Athol Distillery and Scotland's smallest whisky distillery Edradour. More hillwalking territory can be found nearby at the Craigower Nature Reserve. A favourite walk from the town is to Black Spout Wood just to the south which contains the impressive Black Spout waterfall.

Pitlochry Town Guide, Highland Perthshire

With its own festival theatre, stunning surrounding lower Highlands countryside, a highstreet crammed with arts and crafts shopping, restaurants and pubs and a mid-way location between the Highlands and Perthshire, Pitlochry is an extremely popular Scottish holiday base, a Highland resort if you like. A huge number of accommodation options, for charming B&Bs and pretty self catering cottages to small country hotels, are available here. The busy A9 tourist route upto the Highlands from Edinburgh runs right past Pitlochry.

Pitlochry's tourist roots run right back to the Victorian period, and the quaint prevalent Victorian architecture in the town hints at its longevity as tourist hotspot. Pitlochry positively blooms, thanks to the local environmental groups efforts resulting in a picture postcard effect against a Highland Perthshire backdrop.

Pitlochry's golf course is one of the most scenic in Scotland, situated along the banks of the River Tummel (see Pitlochry golf course's website right for details).

Pitlochry is a mini Highland Edinburgh, notably for its hosting of a choice of Festivals. The Perthshire Amber 10 day music festival is gathering pace and runs from the end of October into November annually (see website right). A number of concerts and music events are held in Pitlochry as part of this festival. The Pitlochry Festival Theatre hosts the annual summer Pitlochry festival calendar from May to October. Checkout the programme on the Pitlochry Festival Theatre weblink right. The theatre sits in a stunning location, with views of the River Tummel and within walking distance from Pitlochry town centre. A bar and restaurant are also on-site, plus a charming Festival Gift shop. Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-Na-Craig, Pitlochry, PH16 5DR. Box Office. 01796 484 626. Reception. 01796 484 600.

Blair Castle & Activities on the Blair Atholl Estate (Pony Trekking)

Shining white Blair Castle has a stunning setting, with its Highland Perthshire backdrop. Close to the Grampian Mountains on the way to Inverness, the castle was strategically well placed. The gardens here are a particular attraction, with trees in Diana's Grove dating from 1737 and the Hercules Garden dating from the mid 18th century. The ancient ruins of St Bride's Kirk sit within the grounds.

Move inside the castle to see displays of arms, armout, furniture, porcelain, and family memorabilia pertaining to the Atholls. Europe's only remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders lay on a full parade every May, duly inspected by the Duke of Atholl. Queen Victoria was rather impressed with them on her visit here to Blair in 1844 and granted them the right to bear arms. Weapon displays in the dramatic Entrance Hall include some used in the Battle of Culloden.

Pony trekking around the extensive grounds of the Blair Atholl estate is very popular. Book online via the Blair Castle website. Choose from short one hour treks to two hour specialist nature or photography treks. Craig Urrard Summit Trek lasting 3 hours is also available to experienced riders. Costs are reasonably priced for one off treks. See the website for details and times. You can roam the estate to your hearts content, for fishing, shooting and other pursuits if you stay at one of the enormous luxury lodges here which sleep upto 18 people. A caravan park is also on-site.

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH18 5TL. Tel. 01796 481207. Checkout the Blair Castle website right for events, detail and opening times.

Blair Athol Distillery & Edradour Distillery

The 12 year old Single Malt whisky produced at the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry has a fine reputation as one of the best of Scotland's whiskies. Fruity flavoured with a smooth finish, single malt whisky has been produced here at Blair Athol since 1798. The waters for this Scotch whisky come from the Allt Dour. Take distillery and tasting tours. A whisky shop is on-site. The Blai Athol Distillery and Visitor Centre sits on the Southern edge of Pitlochry about a mile from the centre, so walking to it is feasible.

The tiny Edradour distillery situated in the hills just above Pitlochry is Scotland's smallest distillery, but its 10 year old single Highland Malt whisky packs a punch. They only produce around 12 casks of Edradour whisky here a week - it's handmade using traditional methods without automation by John Reid the manager and his two assistants. See the Edradour website right for details on distillery tours. They're free, but if your group is more than 15 you'll need to book in advance.

Blair Atholl Distillery, Perth Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LY. Tel.01796 482003. (weblink right for details).

Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5JP. Scotland. Tel. 0131 5554988. (see Edradour website right).

The Pass of Killiecrankie, Killiecrankie Visitors Centre & Highland Perthshire Walking

"I faught at land, I faught at sea, At hame I faught my auntie, O; But I met the Devil an' Dundee, On the Braes o' Killiecrankie, O". (The Braes O' Killiecrankie, Robert Burns).

The Pass of Killiecrankie, northwards from Garry Bridge is a famous Perthshire view. The woodland areas form part of the Tummel National Scenic Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Autumn is a good time to visit when the leaves are changing colour and Red Squirrels are active preparing for winter. If you can brave the snow in winter which they get frequently up here, be prepared for breathtaking views. Killiecrankie Pass is one of those special natural wonders.

The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, just 3 miles north of Pitlochry, offers detailed exhibits on the Jacobite cause and the Battle of Killiecrankie which took place here on 27 July 1689. An important battle within Jacobite history, forces from the highland Scottish clans supporting James II and VII fought mostly lowland Scots (government troops) fighting for William of Orange. Scot faced Scot here and the victory went the Jacobite way. It was a hollow victory however as the Jacobites lost their leader Viscount Dundee and about one-third of their highlander force. A month later the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Dunkeld.

Many visitors walk the 3 miles from Pitlochry to the visitor centre (open 31 March to 31 October daily from 10am to 5.30pm. The site however is open all year. Baby changing facilities and picnic areas are on-site. Killiecrankie, Pitlochry Perthshire, PH16 5LG. Tel. 0844 4932194. (see National Trust for Scotland website right for more details).

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