Pitlochry
Perthshire, Scotland
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Points of Interest:
Dam & Fish Ladder
Ben Vrackie

Nearby:
Killiecrankie
Blair Atholl

Discover Pitlochry: A Highland Gem in the Heart of Perthshire

No visit to Perthshire is complete without a trip to the wonderfully unique town of Pitlochry. Thanks to its rich history, vibrant culture, and spectacular landscapes, Pitlochry has become one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations.

Queen Victoria herself helped to put Pitlochry on the map, praising its fresh air and breathtaking scenery — a reputation it continues to enjoy today.


Events & Festivals

Etape Caledonia
Scotland’s premier closed-road cycle race, this 81-mile event begins and ends in Pitlochry. Whether you’re riding or spectating, it’s a thrilling day out.

Pitlochry Highland Games
Dating back to 1852, this classic celebration features traditional Scottish dancing, athletics, and piping — a vibrant day of Highland culture.

The Enchanted Forest (Sept–Oct)
Held in Faskally Wood, this multi-sensory light and sound experience transforms the forest into a magical landscape. It’s an unforgettable evening and hugely popular — book early!


Local Shopping & Markets

Pitlochry Market
Held on the third Sunday of every month, this market features handmade gifts, local produce, crafts, and more.


Don’t Miss: Blair Atholl Distillery

Just a short walk from the River Tummel, the Blair Atholl Distillery offers guided tours where you can see how its iconic whisky is made — and enjoy a dram, of course.

The Best Things to See and Do in Pitlochry

Pitlochry has something for everyone, from scenic walks and viewpoints to zip-wire or paddle-board adventures. Offering History and Heritage, Whisky Distilleries, Theatre, Family Events and Entertainment, Pitlochry is a popular destination all year round, and in all seasons.

Surrounded by stunning, ancient woodlands and spectacular hillside and lochs, plus the iconic Ben Vrackie, Pitlochry is a perfect location for walkers, cyclists, and explorers. With well-marked trails that often start and finish in the town centre, all abilities can enjoy it's dramatic landscapes.

Wild Swimming: There are plenty of lochside spots to enjoy a dip, particularly along the River Tummel and Loch Faskally. The Dell Dippers based at Ladies Dell, Loch Faskally, swim together every Friday at 10am.

Adrenaline seekers can enjoy white water rafting on the River Tummel or try bungee jumping at nearby Killiecrankie, for a real thrill.

Cidsin Urban Indian Bistro & Gin Bar

Food, Drink & Local Fare

The Wee Choo Choo

Discover a taste of Southern Thailand, when you hop on board this unique dining experience. This beautifully restored 1960s railway carriage, which featured in the film Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning offers a special blend of cinema and cuisine!

Cidsin Bistro

Offering a select range of modern Indian Cusine, the Tiffin meal experience, which is a traditional Indian way of to deliver food to workers in Mumbai, is always a visitor highlight.

Café Calluna

By day, a charming café for light bites and cakes. By night (Thurs–Sat), it transforms into a cosy cocktail bar with atmospheric lighting and handcrafted drinks.

Victoria’s Restaurant & The Old Mill Inn

Victoria’s is a family-run favourite for breakfast through dinner — ideal pre-theatre dining. Its sister venue, The Old Mill Inn, offers live music on weekends alongside hearty meals.

The Auld Smiddy Inn

A traditional pub in a former blacksmith’s shop, known for its real ales and Scottish classics like haggis, neeps, and tatties.

Jessie's Café

Winner of the best Cafe in Perthshire 24 & 25, Jessie's serves up all day breakfast, lunch and Coffee and Cakes, plus Pizzas on Friday & Saturday nights from 4.30pm

Iconic Attractions

Iconic Attractions & Popular Sites

Your guide for things to see and do in Pitlochry.

Pitlochry Dam & Fish Ladder

Discover the fascinating world of hydroelectricity and the legendary "Tunnel Tigers" at the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre. Explore the nearby famous fish ladder. It's 310 metres long and consists of 34 chambers, linked together by tunnels that circa 5,0000 salmon swim through on their journey upstream to spawn.

Queen’s View

Queen’s View offers the best panoramic views of breath taking Scottish landscape and a sublime vista over Loch Tummel. A favourite of Queen Victoria and a must-visit photo stop for any self catering visitor to the area.

Queens View

Dunfallandy Stone

Discover one of Scotland’s finest examples of Pictish art. Carved around the 9th century, the Dunfallandy Stone is rich in history and mystery.

Cultural Highlights

Explorers Garden

This Garden celebrates 300 years of botanical exploration by Scottish Plant Hunters. It features special collections and rare species from around the globe, including the beautiful Himalayan Meconopsis poppies. Discover Art, woodland, water, pavilions and peaceful spaces plus stunning plants  as you journey around the world.

A Blue Poppy in the Explorers Garden

Atholl Palace Museum

Located within this grand, iconic hotel, this museum offers fascinating insights into the history of the building and those who stayed there through a collection of photographs and exhibits.

Atholl Palace Museum

Bookshops

If you love all things literature, make your way to Platform 1 to discover the Pitlochry Station Bookshop. It offers a wide range of books at low prices in aid of charity. All About Books is another small gem of a bookshop to visit, and on the quirky side, make sure to stop by and take a peek inside the book fridge at Jessie's Cafe. And if you love vinyl records, Foot of the Mountain is just next door.

 

Pitlochry Station Bookshop

Guest Reviews

We had a lovely week in Pitlochry. Yeoman's Cottage was warm and comfortable. We enjoyed exploring the area, seeing the Highland Games, a show at the theatre and walking Killiecrankie Gorge.
I have had a very relaxing and enjoyable break in this lovely, well equipped cottage. Thank you for the wine, shortbread and flowers as well as the provision of milk, tea and coffee. I hope I will be able to return in the Autumn! Every time I visit this area I find new walks and places to explore.
This is a lovely cottage in the centre of a beautiful village and right next to the superb Moulin Inn. The cottage was very clean, very well furnished and well equipped - the back garden was a sunny safe enclosed space next to a babbling brook. Highly recommend this cottage! Best in Pitlochry !