Day 1– Arrive Starting Point: Blair Atholl

Blair Atholl offers real highland hospitality, beautiful scenery, a rich history and plenty to do and is easily accessed from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Atholl Arms Hotel always offers a warm welcome and after checking in you may wish to enjoy a stroll through Atholl Estates, or simply relax and enjoy the fine food and hospitality. Overnight: The Atholl Arms Hotel

The Atholl Arms is a really traditional highland hotel, big on heritage and hospitality. Fresh local produce is a speciality and a dedicated team of chefs have built an enviable reputation for delicious traditional specialities.

Day 2 – Blair Castle & Atholl Estates

Discovery Day: The area surrounding Blair Atholl is an amazing part of Scotland and you have an entire day to enjoy the delights of this truly special part of the country. Blair Castle is opposite your hotel and the imposing white façade dominates the area. It is home to the Atholl Highlanders, one of Europe’s last private armies and exploring the castle and grounds will keep you enthralled for hours. The afternoon is best spent exploring one of the many waymarked tracks available on Atholl Estates, although you can choose from several walks which we provide including challenging hill walks or gentle river strolls. Overnight: The Atholl Arms Hotel

Day 3 – Blair Atholl to Moulin, Pitlochry 10 Miles

Start your journey with a relaxed walk on riverside paths to Killiecrankie, site of the first battle of the Jacobite victory and home of the unbelievable “Soldiers Leap”. From Killiecrankie you have the choice of three equally appealing routes to Moulin, by mountain, moor or river. Moulin is a tiny village to the north of Pitlochry nestled on the slopes of Ben Vrackie centred around the Moulin Hotel, which is your overnight stop. Overnight: The Moulin Hotel

The Moulin Hotel is a delightful haven of Scottish Hospitality and has been welcoming travellers since 1695. This quite superb, rather romantic inn blends old world highland hospitality with the comforts and service of a modern hotel. The hotel also boasts its own micro brewery whose traditional beers perfectly complement the hearty highland fayre.

Day 4 – Discover Pitlochry or Tackle Ben Vrackie

Pitlochry is a bustling town that first become popular in Victorian times and continues to be enormously popular with visitors. Enjoy a leisurely walk from your hotel in Moulin that takes in all the attractions including Edradour Distillery, Loch Faskally, The Festival Theatre, the Fish Ladder and Pitlochry High Street. Alternatively if you are feeling more energetic you may wish to tackle Ben Vrackie, the highest hill in the area which is sure to reward your efforts with fantastic views in all directions. Overnight: The Moulin Hotel

Day 5 – Moulin to Aberfeldy - 15 Miles

As you leave Pitlochry you climb the watershed between the Tummel and Tay Rivers and the resulting views are breathtaking – Scotland at its very finest! Once the initial climb is over you will enjoy a relaxed descent towards the River Tay and Aberfeldy. The River Tay is Scotland’s Largest River and is world renowned for its outstanding salmon fishing, although anglers now share the river with an increasing number of white water rafters and kayakers. You cross the River Tay by way of Wades Bridge just before arriving in Aberfeldy, a small market town nestled on the banks of the River Tay and home to one of Scotland’s best tea shops. Overnight: Balnearn Guest House

Balnearn House is a delightful guest house located in Aberfeldy. Claire and Mark Dimmock welcome you to their comfortable home where comfort and a friendly atmosphere are a top priority. The house was built in 1900 and boasts open log fires and beautiful views over a much loved garden. Claire and Mark will be happy to book you into a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Day 6 – Aberfeldy to Kenmore – 7 miles

Your days walk starts in spectacular fashion as you climb a good path parallel to the Birks of Aberfeldy, a deep gorge and series of waterfalls that is particularly impressive after heavy rain. The remainder of the day is spent in woodland, the native woodland being a particularly good habitat for wildlife and birds so keep your eyes and ears open. You should also start to glimpse the expanse of Loch Tay as the end of the days walk draws near in Kenmore. Kenmore is a small highland community nestled on the banks of the River Tay where it flows from Loch Tay. The main street is dominated by the gates of Taymouth Castle which is now home to an exclusive golf club. The Crannog Centre is a mile west of the village and offers a fascinating insight into the life of iron age Scots. Overnight: The Kenmore Hotel

The Kenmore Hotel was founded on the 3rd of November 1572 and claims to be Scotland’s oldest hotel. A beautiful setting and historical location offer a touch of paradise unspoiled by time. Rooms, restaurants and bars offer superb views of the mountains and river. The restaurant boasts innovative Scottish Cuisine combined with new world delicacies; all enjoyed overlooking the River Tay.

Day 7 – Kenmore to Fortingall – 5 – 8 miles

Choose one of several routes as you head ever deeper into the Scottish Highlands as you walk over or around Drummond Hill to Fortingall. As you leave Kenmore and enjoy the expansive vistas over Loch Tay you can’t help but be inspired by the beauty and timelessness of the landscape. Fortingall is famous for having the oldest tree in Scotland and reputedly the birth place of Pontius Pilate - the son of a Roman Legionary and a local Girl - the Yew Tree in the Churchyard would have been there at that time! I am sure that you will have time to learn all about it. Fortingall is known as one of the prettiest villages in Scotland and was designed by James Marjorybanks McLaren, who taught Chares Rennie Mackintosh. Overnight: The Fortingall Hotel

The Fortingall is a special treat, a luxurious highland hotel at the centre of the conservation village of Fortingall which offers luxury country house style rooms. The accommodation is perfectly complemented by delicious food sourced locally and beautifully prepared and presented.

Day 8: Fortingall to Kinloch Rannoch – 10 miles

A dramatic and challenging days walking to end your highland journey on a high note. Your route takes you through the remote highland glen that joins Fortingall and Kinloch Rannoch, an ancient right of way that is still used today. The towering bulk of Schiehallion dominates through most of the day and provides a fitting background to what has been an inspiring journey through the heart of Scotland. Kinloch Rannoch is a small and isolated village, take time to relax and enjoy the spectacular views of Schiehallion. Overnight: Bunrannoch House

Bunrannoch House is an old hunting lodge situated in woodland on the outskirts of Kinloch Rannoch and enjoys high level views of Loch Rannoch and the surrounding mountains. Bunrannoch House is well known locally for its warm hospitality and fine menu sourced from local suppliers and lovingly prepared. It provides a haven of tranquillity and is the ideal base to relax and take time out from modern life.

Recommendations:

Fewer Nights: If you are pressed for time drop the additional days in Blair Atholl and Pitlochry for a 6 day and 7 night holiday.

Additional Nights: There is so much to see and do in highland Perthshire that many of our clients choose to add extra nights on this walk.

An extra night in Kinloch Rannoch is especially popular as you can explore Loch Rannoch or even climb Schiehallion. Taking rest days in Aberfeldy lets you visit Castle Menzies, enjoy a Highland Adventure Land Rover Safari or even white water rafting on the Tay.