Scotland
BALVAIG Resting in the heart of Scotland, tucked on the outskirts of vibrant Pitlochry, is this luxurious, architect designed, and superbly appointed, detached eco-property, called “Balvaig”. This is a wonderful and luxurious retreat in which to base yourself for exploring the delights of this beautiful part of Scotland. |
CHERRYBANK Resting in the heart of the picture-perfect town of Pitlochry, amongst the rolling countryside of Perthshire, is this three-storey holiday home, Cherrybank. Enjoying close proximity to a wealth of amenities and attractions and boasting a homely and welcoming interior, Cherrybank makes an excellent base for both families or friends looking for a Scottish adventure. |
Pitlochry is a vibrant Scottish town in a lovely countryside location at the heart of Perthshire. The town has a quintessential feel and is thriving with plenty to see and do when staying here.
There is an eclectic range of independent shops along Pitlochry’s main road where you can purchase a souvenir and support the local businesses. Pick up a new book along with a hot chocolate at Pitlochry Station Bookshop and have a look at the unique hand-crafted wood products at Angus Clyne Woodturning. Find a memento at Coorie in the Corner or Keepsake Scotland, or a sweet treat at Love Your Sweets.
The Atholl Palace Museum exhibits fascinating displays of art and relics from the area’s past as well as rooms featuring authentic furniture. Black Castle Ruins is a fascinating spot just outside of town and makes for a relaxing stroll through the vast green fields surrounding the ruins.
The River Tummel meanders past the town and the impressive Pitlochry Dam can be seen when walking along the riverside. Learn more about the construction of this structure as well as the local salmon breeding and the use of hydroelectricity in the Visitors’ Centre. Walk along the dam bridge for some stunning views of the river and town.
A visit to the Edradour Distillery, the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland, is highly recommended. The Distillery is set up as a model village, with a quaint feel created by the lovely stone buildings and traditional small-scale production methods. Another distillery is the Blair Athol Distillery, situated amongst open moorland. This establishment utilises the fresh source of water from the Allt Dour to add a smooth finish to their whiskey, which can be sampled on a tour of the site.
Explore the river by hiring a rowing boat from the Pitlochry Boating Station & Adventure Hire. As the name suggests, more adventurous equipment is available for hire, including stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Also on offer are adventure bike tours to discover the local woodland. The Lochside Café makes the most of the fantastic riverside views and they serve delicious home-baked goods.
The riverside views can be enjoyed along with a fresh salmon meal at the Port-na-Craig Inn & Restaurant. This eatery also serves black pudding for those wanting a traditional Scottish dish. Caffe Scozia serves incredibly creative food, specialising in Italian cuisine with a Scottish twist. Café Biba has a cosy and welcoming atmosphere created by its location in a cottage-style stone building. This is another great place to sample some authentic Scottish food. For a sweet treat, visit Morton’s Coffee Lounge.
In the evening, Victoria’s Restaurant has a great dinner selection. This establishment has an easy-going atmosphere, with an outdoor terrace for watching the world go by in the town centre. The Red Deer Pub and Restaurant is another spot for al-fresco dining, as their outdoor seating overlooks the surrounding green fields and golf course. There is a vast drink selection here, as well as warm comfort food.
Cidsin Indian Bistro & Gin Bar is ideal for those wanting to have a more varied and international menu, where there are a huge range of Indian dishes. This business prides itself on serving food to make their customers happy. The gin bar has over 100 gins to choose from to enjoy along with the meal, as well as botanicals from their gin herb garden.
Tay Forest Park is just outside of Pitlochry and is a gorgeous forest reserve with lots of hiking routes as well as less strenuous paths for a lighter stroll. The mountain views and idyllic lake settings have that traditional rural Scotland feel. Here, the Queen’s View is a breath-taking viewpoint overlooking the lake framed by the trees. This spot is popular with tourists for its unforgettable scenery and Queen Victoria even visited the site in 1866.
For more active travellers, a hiking route is available around Schiehallion, a mountain peak near the Tay Forest. Travelling this route is guaranteed to give stunning views of Loch Rannoch and the surrounding mountainside, so be sure to bring a camera.
For cyclists, there are lots of cycle paths for all abilities in the countryside surrounding the town. Plenty of these are accessible for road cyclists, where the path takes you to some unparalleled country viewpoints. There are also routes for mountain bikers wanting a more challenging and active journey.
The Explorer’s Garden is a lovely spot by the river in town for a more relaxed walk. There are lots of blooming flowers and an amazing viewpoint from the David Douglas Pavilion. Walk through the Moongate stone arch for another magnificent vista from the Mela viewpoint.