Pitlochry is the tourist centre of Highland Perthshire and is a delightful Victorian town nestling in the Perthshire Highlands amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, The present town is relatively new by Perthshire standards dating mainly from the mid 19th Century. Queen Victoria visited in 1844 and it quickly grew into the tourist town of today and has been a popular holiday resort for over a hundred years and provides a stunning sight for those approaching the town from the south. Famous for its Festival Theatre, salmon ladder and woollens shops, Pitlochry is centrally placed for exploring the scenic beauties of the Perthshire Highlands.  

In Pitlochry itself, don't miss the Dam Visitor Centre and Salmon ladder, with its beautiful setting. Learn the secrets of malt whisky making at Blair Atholl and Edradour distilleries, or learn to throw your own pot at Pitlochry Pottery. The Pitlochry area is superb for walks with an integrated network of well-signposted forest trails, guided walks and designated mountain bike routes.

The Atholl Palace Hydro with its white turrets sits elegantly above the thickly wooded hills around. Pitlochry is as lively by night as by day. Pitlochry Festival Theatre's season runs from May to October, and at its peak you can see seven plays in six days. Concerts and other entertainments are also staged here and at other local venues. Round off a memorable day by watching the sunset over the picture-postcard Queen's View, where there is also a Visitor Centre.

Some of Scotland's finest salmon and trout angling is enjoyed hereabouts, particularly on the River Tay. Here the salmon don't actually jump up the ladder but swim through interconnecting pipes. An observation chamber allows visitors to watch the salmon underwater through a large plate glass window.

The History of Pitlochry

The Blair Atholl whisky distillery in Pitlochry was founded in 1798. In 1821 the post office was opened, later than in most Perthshire villages. In 1835 the MacNaughton family opened water powered wool mills which produced tweed cloth from raw wool. The first modern highland games took place in 1852. The combination of the forested hills, lochs & rivers and the coming of the railway in 1863 guaranteed Pitlochry's success as a Victorian resort. In 1878 a Hydropathic resort opened. It possibly has a higher proportion of hotels and guesthouses than any other town of comparable size. In 1947 the town became a burgh. Between 1947-50 an extensive hydro-electric scheme was built upstream of the town with the lowest dam and power station being that on the River Tummel at Pitlochry itself. In addition to the scenery and dam, there is the Festival Theatre built in 1981, 2 distilleries, nearby Blair Castle at Blair Atholl with summer horse trials, Killiecrankie (battle 1689) and a wide selection of tourist shops and restaurants. Just north of Pitlochry is the House of Bruar retail complex offering quality Scottish shopping on a grand scale.  

Out and around Pitlochry

Within a half hours drive north lies the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie scene of the famous battle, with a visitor centre operated by the National Trust for Scotland and the falls of bruar near blair atholl.....Site of the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 where the first shots in the Jacobite cause were fired. In Blair Atholl, see the white-turreted Blair Castle with its superb collections of paintings and armoury, then learn about more humble ways of life at the Atholl Country Collection, the Blair Atholl Mill, a working oatmeal mill, or at the Clan Donnachaidh Centre at Bruar. Emerging from the north end of Loch Garry, the River Garry flows southeast for 22 miles (35 km) through Atholl in highland Perth and Kinross before joining the Tummel 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Pitlochry. On its course through the Pass of Drumochter and on to the Pass of Killiecrankie, the river falls nearly 300m (1000 feet) and skirts the settlements of Calvine, Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie. Described by Queen Victoria as "very fine, rolling over large stones, and forming perpetual falls", the principal tributaries of the Garry are the Edendon, Ender, Bruar, Tilt, Allt Girnaig and Errochtry. Nearby Moulin has a more ancient history. The Earl of Atholl granted Moulin Church to Dunfermline Abbey in 1180. In 1511 Moulin became a burgh of barony. The Kirk was rebuilt in 1613 and the Moulin Arms dates from 1695. In common with much of Perthshire

 

 

 

Please click here for up to date snow forecasts Please note by clicking this link will open up another browser

 

 

The Lecht Ski Resort

 

Within an easy 90 minute drive from Pitlochry you can even reach the Lecht ski resort www.lecht.co.uk Tel (01975) 651440. This fantastic activity centre is best suited to beginners and intermediates, featuring an exellent Dry Ski slope. The longest natural run being 900m, there is also a network of short lifts on both sides of the A939 Cockbridge–Tomintoul road. Straddling the A939 on the famous Cockbridge to Tomintoul road, the Lecht 2090 sits feet above sea level amid the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms. This natural playground offers exciting outdoor activities throughout the year from Deval Karts / ride (incl. Uplift), Quad Bikes / session, Fun Karts / session, Kiddie Karts / session, Chairlift / return ride, Summer Ski or Board.

 

Skiing conditions in the Cairngorms are good and on a clear, sunny day and with good snow, you can enjoy some decent skiing. However, at weekends, in conditions like these, expect the slopes to be very busy. Glenlivet ideally placed in the Cairngorms, offers easy access to both alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross-country) skiing, as well as the increasingly popular snowboarding.

 

Cairngorm, which has almost 30 runs spread over an extensive area. The Lecht is the most remote centre, and is good for beginners and families and for nordic skiing. The resort has a ski patrol and facilities for snowboarding. The Lecht has a wonderful new centre and is ideal for sking and snowboarding in winter and in summer such things as tubing and go karts.

The high season is from January to April but it is possible to ski from as early as November to as late as May. (3 and 7 day Special prices available...please ask for details of availability)

Ben Rinnes is a landmark in this area and can be seen from all angles as you drive towards Dufftown or Aberlour from the cottages and can even be viewed from Spey Bay on the Moray Firth coast. You can enjoy a wonderful holiday in the remote wilderness area of the Cairngorm National Park in winter and spring. This is an ideal area for walking by the river Livet or cycling on the waymarked trails on the Glenlivet estate and enjoying wonderful wildlife. There are excellent opportunities for golfing, fishing, sking at the Lecht or Cairngorms, touring the castle and whisky trails. Relax while driving on quiet roads off the beaten track in North East Scotland.

Resort altitude: Top: 793m - bottom: 643m. Lifts in area 14

Up to date snow reports also the www.lecht.co.uk/wap

 

 

 

Famous Scottish Castles

You are spoilt for choice In this area are literally dozens of Castles to visit from Blair Castle near Aberlour a turreted baronial castle dating from 1269 and home to the Duke of Atholl and the Atholl Highlanders to Drum, Crathes, Craigevar and castle Fraser.

Further afield there is also Braemar castle with its 5 towers and 5 centuries of history, and also Balmoral, Crathes and castle Urquhart on Loch Ness. Cities such as Aberdeen, Elgin, Forres and Inverness are easily accessable. Loch Leven Castle - Castle ruins where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567. Also Balvaird Castle used in the filming of Macbeth.

Drummond Castle and Gardens are one of the finest formal gardens in Europe. Created in the early 17th century. Used in the filming of Rob Roy. Castle Menzies - Near Aberfeldy is another fine example of a 16th century fortified tower house.

 

 

 

Scone Palace

 

Scone (pronounced skoon) is a place that breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland. Scone palace (the original home of the Stone of Destiny...now housed in Edinburgh Castle)

towers above the River Tay overlooking the routes north to the Highlands and east through Strathmore to the coast is a Listed Historical Building from the 16th century, but more importantly, a place of coronation for Pictish and Scottish kings. The present palace was built in 1608 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson is the original home of the Stone of Destiny and the site of the coronations of the Kings of Scot Located 1½ miles North of Perth and 2 miles West of New Scone, Scone Palace is the family home of the Earls of Mansfield. Despite its historic setting, the Palace we see today was only built in 1802 by English architect William Atkinson, who went on to create Abbotsford for Sir Walter Scott.

 

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park

 

Further afield but within easy reach of Pitlochry lies the Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park well known for the lovely Northern Lochs of Katrine and Tay, the idillic villages of Callander, Killin and Aberfeldy and of course the cascading "Falls of Dochart" Encompassing around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland and seems miles away from the bustle of city life, yet it’s less than an hour from Pitlochry. Lochanst is an area of contrasts, from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north the southern end of the loch is surrounded by fairly gentle rolling hills. As you travel northwards, you cross the highland fault line which signals a change in the rock types an hence the scenery. Further to the south west you find the long sealochs and freshwater lochs and the rugged mountains more typical of the northern highlands. Loch awe and Loch Long with Arrochar and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs provides a stunning backdrop to your visit.

 

Wildlife and Nature

Perthshire is a fantastic area for viewing birds, wildlife and wild flowers. After you have enjoyed the resident rabbits, sheep, buzzards and deer, you can explore further within this area and see Stags, Rut and Mountain Hare. With winter good timing Stoat visitors including Fieldfare, Redwing, Snow Bunting, Waxwing and Brambling. Many birds including Flocks Pink Footed Goose, Whitefronted Goose, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose visit the Cairngorms every year. Also Badgers, Red Squirrel, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, and Long Eared Owl,  Pipstrelle, Long Eared Bats.

 

 

 

 

 Perthshires glorious gardens

Choose from Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park - Woodland walks and views across Perth to the Tay and beyond. Quarrymill Woodland Park - Outdoor activities north of Perth. Norie Miller Riverside Walk - Walk along the banks of the Tay through landscaped gardens. Perth Museum and Art Gallery - Gallery includes Scottish colourists. Rodney Gardens - Pleasant formal garden in the grounds of the Rodney Pavilion and close to the Norie Miller Riverside Walk. Bell's Heather Garden - Garden devoted to Scotland's ubiquitous shrub. Branklyn Garden - Wonderful two acres of arden owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The Fair Maid's House - Home of the Catharine Glover, the Fair Maid of Perth.

 

 

Availability & Further Information Advice / Help Lines open 08:30 to 22:30 GMT 7 days a week PLEASE CALL US 01729 851181  Mobile Phone / Texting 07885 211787 Email enquiries to:   cottageinfo@self-catering-scotland.com (Ref Perthshire List 65) Due to ever increasing Spam levels we cannot guarrantee to repond to emails. Please call us on either phone number above to be certain. If you do wish to email us please state in your email exactly which cottage and dates your require further information.

Travel Options "It sounds wonderful, but it's a long way to drive from the south of England" How can I avoid the long journey? Click here to find out how!

Voyland Cottage sleeps up to 6 people

The property consists of 2 double bedrooms (one en-suite with walk-in playmate shower with underfloor heating, white tiles with red mosaic tile inserts) one double bed & one king-sized bed.

Flat-screen tv’s in both bedrooms 

The Main bathroom has WC, Wash Basin, Shower & whirlpool bath also with under-floor heating.

Tile & real-wood flooring throughout the cottage.

Large kitchen with farmhouse table seating 6. Large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, electric oven etc. Other essentials such as glasses, crockery, cutlery and a corkscrew are also provided for your convenience.

Large living room with luxury  leather suite comprising of 3-seater sofa-bed, 2 seater sofa, electric recliner & large pouffee. Large plasma wall-mounted TV.

Oil central heating & electric stove-effect fire.

"The Garden"

To the rear of the property is an enclosed split-level garden with lit decking area with brick-built barbecue & parts of the garden for Scottish flowers (courtesy of butterfliesandbeasties.co.uk) and a herb garden. 

Garden furniture included & parking for 2 cars

The total package

The cost of hire includes all heating, electricity, heating, towels and bedding.

Location of this cottage