Pitlochry, in Highland Perthshire, is positioned in the heart of Scotland. While remaining unspoiled it provides access to many of our most popular tourist routes and offers the ideal touring base.
Unsurpassed scenery and ease of accessibility to lochs, castles, historical sites, gardens, wildlife, walks, mountains, outdoor adventures, golf, fishing, cycling routes, natural woodland, rivers, distilleries, restaurants, galleries and theatre has made Pitlochry so appealing since Victorian times. The nearby Queens View (made famous by Queen Victoria) is one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland.
"If an intelligent stranger were asked to describe the most varied and most beautiful province in Scotland, it is probable that he would name the County of Perth " Sir Walter Scott
There are so many attractions for you to experience we have listed below only a few that are very close to Courtyard Cottage.
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Historic
Visitor Attractions
Gardens and Big Tree Country
Hill Walking and Mountaineering
Outdoor Activities and Sport
Shopping
Historic
Blair Castle
13th century home of the Duke of Atholl and the only private army in Europe! Mature grounds and gardens to
explore and magnificent interiors. Blair Castle welcomes more visitors than any other stately home in Scotland.
Web: www.blair-castle.co.uk
Killiecrankie Exhibition
Visit the outstandingly beautiful Pass of Killiecrankie. Hear the story of the famous battle in this tree-lined gorge, now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland and find out more at the Visitor Centre.
Castle Menzies
Sixteenth century castle. Seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years.
Web: www.menzies.org
Dunkeld
A gem of an old Scottish town famous for its bridge and cathedral. You will also find Neil Gow's oak tree and
the parent larch over 250 years old.
Web: www.visitdunkeld.com or
www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk
Dunfallandy Stone
Ancient Pictish stone set in a secluded location just outside Pitlochry.
Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre
Moulin Kirk is situated in the centre of the conservation village of Moulin , near Pitlochry, Perthshire.
Web: www.moulinkirk.co.uk
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Visitor Attractions
Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder
The dramatic Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder. In season, watch salmon and trout negotiate the specially constructed ladder allowing them to bypass Pitlochry Dam.
Queen's View
Beautiful vista of Loch Tummel and surrounding hills including Schiehallion Hill. Famous since championed by Queen Victoria for its outstanding natural beauty.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
On the banks of the River Tummel, the theatre is internationally renowned for its fine repertoire of drama and comedy.
Several different plays may be enjoyed within a few days including outdoor performances. The theatre has a restaurant,
shop and art gallery.
Web: www.pitlochry.org.uk
Birnam Arts and Conference Centre
New multi-arts and conference centre with a year round programme of high quality diverse exhibitions, music, theatre,
dance and comedy performances, as well as the chance to participate in wide range of workshop activities for children and
adults alike.
Web: www.birnaminstitute.com
Waltzing Waters
"An amazing blend of artistry and technology...the most elaborate, water, light and music production in the world."
Web: www.waltzingwaters.co.uk/newtonmore/newtonmore-home.html
Blair Athol Distillery
One of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Daily regular tours.
Web: www.discovering-distilleries.com/blairathol
Edradour Distillery
The smallest distillery in Scotland but up there with the best. Offers informative tours and tasting.
Web: www.edradour.co.uk
Vale of Atholl Pipe Band
March through Pitlochry every Monday at 8.00pm during the Summer months.
Highland Wildlife Park
Run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a spectacular setting in which to explore Scottish wildlife as well
as international endangered animals. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round
area by foot.
Web: www.highlandwildlifepark.org
Glengoulandie Country Park
See some of Scotland's magnificent scenery and wildlife such as a herd of Red Deer, including white stags, highland cattle,
rare breeds of sheep and various breeds of birds.
Web: www.glengoulandie.co.uk
Beatrix Potter Garden
Visit the Beatrix Potter commemorative gardens next to the Birnam Arts centre. Beatrix Potter developed her interest in
wildlife, drawing and painting during her childhood summers spent at Dalguise House near Dunkeld.
Web: www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?pg=231
Pitlochry Childrens Amusement Park
The Park offers children all kinds of entertainment including fun rides, rollercoasters, carousel and arcade games.
Web:
www.scotland.com/attractions/pitlochry-childrens-amusement-park/
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Gardens and Big Tree Country
Explorers Garden
A unique garden, next to the theatre, packed with rare plants celebrating Scottish Plant Hunters. Discover the fantastic
stories behind the men who risked death to bring them back.
Web: www.pitlochry.org.uk/garden.php
Gardens
There are many gardens to enjoy in Perthshire including Cluny House and Bolfracks near Aberfeldy, Drummond Gardens by
Crieff, Hercules Garden at Blair Castle, Dirnanean Garden in Enochdhu. At the Seer Centre recycled rock dust is used to
fertilize the earth with amazing results.
Web: www.perthshiregardens.co.uk
Fortingall Yew Tree
You must not miss the oldest living organism in Europe. This living tree is possibly up to 9000 years old!
Web: www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk/index.asp?pg=26
Faskally Wood
Just outside Pitlochry. Within the wood are many trails and also picturesque Loch Dunmore, a circuit of which is suitable for wheelchair users.
Falls of Bruar
The woodland surrounding the Bruar gorge is a living memorial to the poet Robert Burns. When he visited in 1787 Burns wrote 'The Humble Petition of Bruar Water' in which he urged the Duke of Atholl to plant its bleak banks with trees. When the poet died in 1796, the Duke created a 'wild garden' in his memory.
Meikleour Beech Hedge
Ten miles east of Dunkeld. You can't miss the extraordinary hedge of Meikleour which forms an incredible wall of
beech trees, 30 metres high and 530 metres long. The trees were planted in 1745 and are still growing.
Web: www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk/index.asp?pg=31
The Hermitage
A renowned picturesque mile-long walk along the River Braan runs through ancient woodland to a folly built in 1758
called Ossian's Hall. Visitors have included William Wordsworth, J M W Turner and Queen Victoria. The stand of
Douglas firs is one of the tallest stands of trees in the country.
Web: www.nts.org.uk/Property/57/
Linn Of Tummel Woodland
Mixed woodland and fields, at the confluence of the rivers Garry and Tummel. The setting exemplifies the basic
elements of the much-lauded Highland Perthshire scenery.
Web: www.nts.org.uk/Property/43/
Fresh Fruit Picking
Pick your own soft fruits and berries in season, including raspberries, strawberries and currants.
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Hill Walking and Mountaineering
Ben Y Vrackie Hill Walk
At 2759 ft Ben Vrackie's summit offers, on a good day, spectacular vistas. North lies the larger climb of
Beinn a'Ghlo with Glen Tilt and the vast wilderness of the Cairngorms beyond.
Web:
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/pitlochry/benvrackie/
Beinn a'Ghlo Munro
For experienced hillwalkers looking to add to their Munro tally. By Blair Atholl.
Web: www.walkscotland.com/beinnaghlo.htm
Schiehallion Hill
Also called the Fairy Mountain, Schiehallion is 3553 ft tall, a good climb and stunningly overlooks Loch
Rannoch. The location of the first ever measurement of the mass of the earth by the then Astronomer-Royal.
Web: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/rannoch/schiehallion/
Glen Lyon
Or 'Glen of Polished Water' is often proudly proclaimed as the most beautiful glen in the whole of Scotland
that is little known to tourists.
Web: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glenlyon/glenlyon/index.html
Sma'Glen
On the way to Crieff you will find this small but towering glen.
Web: www.visitdunkeld.com/tour-sma-glen.htm
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Outdoor Activities and Sport
Pitlochry Highland Games
Traditional Highland games featuring piping, highland dance and competitions including tossing the caber. September 8th 2007.
Pitlochry Golf Club
18 hole golf course set in the hills and one of the most beautiful in Scotland. The club house has been recently refurbished.
Web: www.pitlochrygolf.co.uk
Fishing
There are many locations for the experienced fisherman to choose from in the vicinity. Alterrnatively, enjoy a relaxing day
fishing on Loch Faskally for salmon, trout, perch and pike. Hire a boat and fishing rod from the Pitlochry Boating Station.
Web: www.fishfask.com
Ospreys at Loch of Lowes
Where the star attraction is a pair of breeding ospreys. Beautiful setting and Visitor Centre.
Web: www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/lochoflowes.asp
Cycling
Perthshire has some of the best cycle routes in Europe with lots of choice for off-road cycling. Local routes
include Atholl Estates and Craigvinean Forest, Dunkeld.
Web: www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?tm=18
For Hire of bikes: www.escape-route.biz
White Water Rafting
Expert guidance for those seeking an exciting holiday with an adrenaline rush in the natural elements!
Web: www.naelimits.co.uk
4x4 Offroad driving and Adventure Safaris
See Highland Perthshire from behind the wheel of a new Land Rover, drive into the mountains and through rivers!
Web: www.highlandadventuresafaris.co.uk
Horse Riding
Blair Castle Trekking
Web: www.blaircastletrekking.co.uk
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Shopping
Woollens
Pitlochry is very famous for many shops selling its fine woollens and cashmeres.
The Watermill Bookshop
The largest bookshop in the rural Highlands, contemporary art gallery, music and coffee shop. Grade-A listed
former watermill set in Aberfeldy opened by Michael Palin in May 2005. Awarded Four Star visitor attraction status.
Web: www.aberfeldywatermill.com
Heather Jewellery
Visit Heathergems where craftspeople can be viewed turning heather, pulled from the Perthshire hills, into
attractive and unusual jewellery.
Web: www.heathergems.com
House of Bruar
Shop at Scotland's most prestigious country store. Quality food, clothing and art works.
Web: www.houseofbruar.com
For more places to picnic and visit see www.perthshire.co.uk.
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