Rolling farmland, North of Perth quickly changing into heather covered hillsides and rushing rivers, this is the view from the train window as you get closer to Pitlcohry. traditionally people would have arrived by horse and carriage until the railway was created in the mid 1800’s. It must have been rather exciting for Victorian’s to suddenly be able to access the North of Scotland in both comfort and with speed!
Nowadays you get the same beautiful views, although pulled by Diesel locomotives rather than the magnificent steam trains of the Victorian period. It only takes half an hour to travel from the city of Perth to Pitlochry, although the views are just as stunning as they were back in the 1800’s. It’s certainly an excellent way to arrive in this small highland town.
Table of Contents
How To Get To Pitlochry
There is the railway that will easily take you to Pitlochry. However, it’s also easily accessible by car along the A9 trunk road. This road is rather notorious in Scotland, many parts are still single carriageway. In the dual carriageway sections you will notice that drivers tend to hit speeds a lot higher than the speed limit to get past slower vehicles, then slow back down to to 60mph again for the single carriageway sections. Due to frustration and queues there are often accidents, so please just be aware of cars overtaking both behind you and in front in not always the best situations! The government are in the process of dualling the entire A9, although this is taking some time, mostly due to costs, but also because they can’t shut the road and divert traffic easily.
Using Public Transport
Although it’s perfectly possible to drive North with your car, and we have done this many times, it can be a lot less stressful to take the train or bus. The train service is very regular and you can even catch a the Inverness train from London Kings Cross, which stops at Pitlochry. A nice easy journey with no changes. You can reserve your seats and have a table for your whole family to enjoy the views as you head North. You can catch the same Inverness to Kings Cross train back South again.
Alternatively there are buses that head North to Pitlochry from Edinburgh, Citylink takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes to get from Edinburgh bus station to Pitlochry. Or it’s 2 and a half hours from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Pitlochry. You can find cheaper tickets with the Megabus that also travels along this route. The Flixbus costs only £2 from Edinburgh to Perth, where you can then catch the train for the last part (check if this is cheaper than direct with Megabus!).
Where To Stay in Pitlochry
There are lots of excellent hotels, self catering properties and B&B’s in Pitlochry. However, we found the Pitlochry hostel a great option for us as a family. It certainly means you don’t have to worry about your children damaging expensive hotel furniture by spilling or dropping things!
Pitlochry Hostel
The hostel is in the perfect place to be accessible from the train station, only a 10 minute walk. There is also a small car park area if you bring your car. The Co-op show is less than 10 minutes walk from the hostel, so you can easily buy your food shopping once you arrive and settle in.
The reception is open to check-in from 16.30, so don’t arrive too early as you will just be hanging around! Once you are checked in you will be given the code for the door and can come and go as you please, although the communal areas are off limit whilst cleaning is happening.
Communal Areas
Downstairs you will find the reception desk, two living areas with plenty of comfy sofas and chairs. Plus the dining room and kitchen area. All hostels give you the ability to cook for yourselves with a communal kitchen. As it’s communal you will need to label your food so that people know that it’s yours and don’t help themselves thinking it’s free food! There are dedicated shelves at the hostel for free food that people may leave behind. The kitchen is well equipped, there are several ovens, hobs and all the equipment You can need. Although during busy times you may need to wait for a pan or tray, it’s best to wash them as soon as you’re finished if it’s busy!
You can make your own breakfast in the communal kitchen and dining area, or choose the Wee Breakfast. There is a separate breakfast area for those people who have ordered the breakfast option. It’s basically a continental breakfast with a variety of cereal, fruit, yoghurt, breads and juice. Gluten free options are also available. It makes it easier if you are only staying a few nights and don’t want to buy various items for breakfast that you then have to take home with you!
Bedrooms
Upstairs are the bedrooms. Adults who wish to share a dorm can do so, but you must be 18+ for this option. It’s also possible to hire private rooms, and there are several available for families. We had a private en-suite bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. All the linen is provided, they simply ask you to strip the beds and leave downstairs in the laundry bin when you leave.
20 Best Things To Do In Pitlochry (and surrounding area)
Pitlochry is a small town, but its location in highland Perthshire means it’s perfect for lots of fantastic outdoor activities. It also has a surprising number of more relaxed attractions, including visitor centres and castles. Adults may also like a tour of the Blair Athol Distillery, although that’s not really as exciting for children!
Pitlochry Fish Ladder
One of the main things you’ll notice when walking along the river at the South of Pitlochry is the Pitlochry fish ladder. This was built at the same time as the dam to allow fish, mainly salmon, to be able to travel along their historical breeding route up the River Tummel to their breeding grounds.
The salmon ladder is ingenious and has small tunnels and pool s that are used like little steps. This is to help the salmon climb over the dam via the stepped pools and into Loch Faskally. You can even check out how many salmon have passed through the dam so far this year. We visited at the start of the season in early April and there had only been 6. By the end of the season it will be around 5000! These salmon will swim around 6000 miles from the open ocean to get to their breeding grounds!
Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre
The visitor centre consists of a shop, cafe and small exhibition space. The shop is well stocked with local souvenirs, there are toilets available for general use by the public too. The cafe is small and can get quite busy during the school holidays. Get there early to find a table. There are a few outside for when the weather’s nice too. The cafe serves delicious breakfasts and lunches, plus a fantastic selection of cakes.
Downstairs is the visitor centre which consists of a variety of different interactive pieces that show how the hydroelectric dam and fish ladder work. Plus screens that allow you to try and design your own dam system or see whether a standard light bulb or LED bulb require more energy. We spent around an hour downstairs exploring the visitor centre, although it is only a small space. Definitely don’t miss it, plus it‘s free!
Hike Up Ben Vrackie
On the opposite side of the Pitlochry dam is the visitor centre, jutting out of the hillside. Anyone with good hearing (especially children) who cross the dam near the top of the fish ladder may notice a funny ringing/clicking sound. I’m still not sure what the point of the sound is, but both myself and children could hear it, although many others were oblivious. It’s a bit like the sound people use in gardens to scare away cats!
On a clear day a hike up Ben Vrackie is a good way to enjoy the views of Pitlochry and the surrounding area. It’s only a 10km round trip from Pitlochry, with the uphill section rising from 200m at the car park to almost 800m at the summit. It’s a 3.5 – 4 hour hike for the average walker, although expect it to take longer with children. So bring plenty of food, warm clothes for up the hill and waterproofs. In the winter it can be under snow and requires winter walking experience and equipment. You can find the whole route and map over at Walkhighlands.
Pitlochry Station Book Shop
As you get on or off the train at Pitlochry station, you may notice the little Pitlochry Station Book Shop. It’s not a big shop by any means, however, it does stock a large range of second hand books. It’s perfect to visit if you have some time before catching the train, then you can sit and read on the station platform!
The kids section is quite small, but there are still a few good books available for younger children. Plenty of adults books of all types!
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
On the opposite side of the River Tummel from the Pitlochry dam visitor centre, you’ll find the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. They have a large car park, although it’s easily accessible from the centre of Pitlochry via the suspension bridge. The theatre has a cafe and small kids play area that are great for stopping by during the day. And in the summer there is a full range of theatre shows, you’ll find something for everyone. We visited during 2021 and due to Covid the shows were outside, which was actually wonderful! The kids and I sat down on blankets watching the Wind in the Willows, the actors were superb and we had a great time! We haven’t visited since the shows have been taken back inside, but look forward to visiting this summer.
Explore The Town Centre
The town of Pitlochry is considered to be in the Scottish highlands, however it’s actually in the heart of Scotland and highland Perthshire. The town itself is full of small boutique shops and tearooms. With Hettie’s tearoom being a stand out favourite, the cake slices are enormous! You can also stop at the John Muir wild space visitor centre, which is compact but interesting. There is also an exhibition space at the back that often has local artwork.
If you are looking for the best places to try whisky in Pitlochry, check out Robertsons of Pitlochry. They specialise rare and special whiskies, so you can find something to add to your collection.
Blair Castle
Hop on the train 15 minutes North of Pitlochry to reach Blair Atholl for a day trip. It’s also only a 20 minute drive by car. This small village grew up around the railway and old A9 road, although it is now bypassed by the newer A9. The prosperous Blair castle is connected to the village and is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl. Although it is no longer their home and is instead held in trust for people to visit and explore its history.
Blair Castle has the castle itself which can be explored on a self guided tour, the staff are very helpful and will happily answer any questions you have. Don’t miss the interesting children’s nursery, although my children thought the dolls were creepy! Furniture made especially for the visit of Queen Victoria and a lot of armoury.
At the end of the castle tour there is a small gift shop that has local produce and Blair Castle themed souvenirs, plus a good sized restaurant/cafe. We had lunch in the cafe, which has some excellent giant wood slices on the walls, an interesting talking point! There are a selection of locally produced dishes, along with sandwiches, cakes and drinks.
Blair Castle has extensive gardens to explore, including a small children’s adventure play area, woodlands and the beautiful Hercules Garden. Hercules garden is in the old walled garden of the estate and beautify laid out. You can also follow a trail of the sculptures nearby too.
Hike Around Blair Atholl
If you are looking for a longer walk it’s also possible to follow one of the signposted walks around the Blair Atholl estate. We chose to head along the Banavie bridge and burn route that took us up through a beautiful woodland, passed a folly overlooking Blair castle from the hillside and back down via the old village of Blair.
It was a wonderful walk and almost completely to ourselves! There are various other paths radiating out from the car park at the back of Blair Castle, all well signposted.
Atholl Palace Museum
The Atholl Palace Museum is a small museum tucked away downstairs at the Atholl Palace Hotel. It’s free for residents, but they charge a small fee for non-residents to visit. The compact museum tells the history of the Atholl Palace hotel and the family that owned it, from when it first opened as a hydropathic establishment. Interesting, but small museum, worth a visit if you have a spare hour.
Pitlochry Boating Station
Located at the opposite end of Loch Faskally from the dam, is Pitlochry Boating Station. Here you can hire out a variety of vessels. From peddle boats and rowing boats, to small motorised fishing boats or even SUP’s and kayaks. They also have a lovely small cafe at the boating station, so you can enjoy a delicious bite to eat after an explore around the loch. It can get busy in good weather, so I’d recommend visiting when it’s a little cloudier!
Black Spout Wood
A short walk from Pitlochry town centre is the Black Spout Wood. There is also a car park beside the woodland. This short walk is a great choice after heavy rain, when you can see the Black Spout waterfall cascading down the walk. A picturesque woodland walk, within easy reach from the centre of town.
Nae Limits Adrenaline Watersports
A short bus or car ride South, at Ballinluig, is Nae Limits Adrenaline watersports. You can take part in everything from white water rafting or tubing, to gorge walking and canyoning. It’s not for the faint of heart and some activities have age limits, so check if kids can join in before booking!
Good options for families are gorge walking (minimum age of 6 years old), adventure tubing or Tay rafting (both minimum age of 8 years old). Perfect if you are looking for something more adventurous!
Visit Enchanted Forest In October and November
In late autumn you will find Faskally Wood and Loch Dunmore lit up with fantastic lights in the evening. You need to buy tickets to Enchanted Forest well in advance, it’s often sold out! Walking through beautifully laid out light trails and experiencing the reflections upon the loch is truly magical.
For the event you are transported by bus from Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry to Faskally Wood, parking is only available for those with disabilities.
During the rest of the year you can walk around the woodland without needing to pay for entry!
Birnam Arts Centre
Stop off on the way South from Pitlochry to visit the Birnam Arts Centre. It’s a 5 minute walk from the station, or there is parking along the street. Inside is a good sized cafe, although if it’s not open there is also a small cafe at Chattan Tearooms across the road. Explore the gallery exhibition upstairs and the Beatrix Potter exhibition downstairs. The Beatrix potter exhibition is mostly aimed at children, with lots of excellent play areas, although there are also some interesting information on the boards around the room too. Outside is a small public garden area, with a few Beatrix Potter themed sculptures.
The Hermitage Woodland
Just a few minutes North of Birnam Arts Centre is the Hermitage Woodland. It’s a beautiful woodland area with many trails running throughout. Don’t miss the Hermitage folly overlooking the waterfall or a small hermits cave further up the path. The Hermitage is often used for weddings, so be aware that you can’t enter during a ceremony (although these are never very long).