Walking in the Scottish Highlands

Arrive in Blair Atholl, a small village that offers real Highland hospitality, beautiful scenery, a rich history and plenty to do, and is easily accessed from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The picturesque River Garry flows through it so why not take a stroll and take in the atmosphere of this place that is so full of rich heritage and history. Relax and enjoy the fine food and perhaps a local beer.

Overnight Blair Atholl

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ptarmigan House | Guest House

The house sits in its own large grounds overlooking the fields, golf course and the hills beyond. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are tastefully decorated to suit the style of the house.

Dalgreine Guesthouse

A warm and traditional welcome awaits you at Dalgreine Guesthouse. Every room is elegantly decorated and has tea and coffee making facilities. In addition to enjoying the elegantly furnished bedrooms, you can aslo relax in the outdoor seating area in the secluded garden at the front of the house.

Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest prebooking evening meal

Old Manse of Blair | Hotel

Located in the glorious countryside of the Scottish Highlands in the Cairngorms National Park. All the character of a 200 year old Highland Estate complete with luxurious yet understated interiors make each of the twenty six rooms a unique stay.

Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest prebooking evening meal

Take a walk in and around the beautiful gardens and grounds of Blair Castle, ensconced in the forested valleys of Perthshire. Ancestral home of the clan Murray, this 13th century castle is also home to Europe's only remaining private army, now used solely for ceremonial purposes. The castle itself has an imposing white façade and dominates the area. After taking in some thirty treasure-filled rooms, take a tour around the wonderful grounds and gardens and enjoy Diana’s Grove and the restored Hercules Garden. Suggestions for the afternoon are a visit to the Atholl Country Life Museum which is crammed with artifacts relating to rural Perthshire life. Or why not visit the Wasted Degrees Brewing Company and try some of their locally brewed beer?

Overnight Blair Atholl

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ptarmigan House | Guest House

The house sits in its own large grounds overlooking the fields, golf course and the hills beyond. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are tastefully decorated to suit the style of the house.

Dalgreine Guesthouse

A warm and traditional welcome awaits you at Dalgreine Guesthouse. Every room is elegantly decorated and has tea and coffee making facilities. In addition to enjoying the elegantly furnished bedrooms, you can aslo relax in the outdoor seating area in the secluded garden at the front of the house.

Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest prebooking evening meal

Old Manse of Blair | Hotel

Located in the glorious countryside of the Scottish Highlands in the Cairngorms National Park. All the character of a 200 year old Highland Estate complete with luxurious yet understated interiors make each of the twenty six rooms a unique stay.

Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest prebooking evening meal

Today's walk connects peaceful, understated Blair Atholl with the buzzing town of Pitlochry. It is an easy undulating and varied riverside route along quiet country roads and through open farmland and meandering woodland trails. Walk via Soldier's Leap, a famous spot in Killicrankie. The story goes that during the 1689 Battle of Killiecrankie, an English soldier made a leap of escape that spanned 18 ft across the gorge just south of the town. The walk today passes directly by the viewpoint so you can judge the legend's accuracy for yourself. Arrival in the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, which really is in the heart of Scotland.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to walk to Pitlochry and have an easier day you can take a local train or bus from Blair Atholl which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Overnight Pitlochry

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Craigatin House & Courtyard | 4 Star | Guest House

Tucked away in secluded wooded grounds in the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry, this beautiful early Victorian house has now been transformed into a 14-bedroom boutique B&B, providing a unique blend of the traditional with the luxury of contemporary design. The individually designed spacious deluxe rooms all have comfortable six foot wide beds and are decorated with stylish fabrics and furnishings.

Knockendarroch Hotel | Hotel

The welcoming and luxurious Knockendarroch House Hotel offers a secluded retreat with wonderful views across Pitlochry to the surrounding hills. The hotel boasts large spacious rooms alongside elegant public areas. Wonderful meals, featuring the very best Scottish produce are served in the dining room, from where you can retire to the sumptuous lounge to enjoy a coffee or after dinner drink.

Today is a chance for you to take a walk if you choose but also to explore Pitlochry. The walk takes you on a loop from Moulin to the north of the town and out and up into the surrounding moorland, passing around Loch a' Choire and along the slopes of Ben Vrackie but not to the summit. This walk is purely optional but gives you the opportunity to see great views over the surrounding countryside. Later you can explore the town itself and some tips are to check out the High Street with its many gift shops and eateries, take a tour of the Blair Atholl Distillery or if you are lucky book tickets in advance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which hosts year-round plays and concerts.

Overnight Pitlochry

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Craigatin House & Courtyard | 4 Star | Guest House

Tucked away in secluded wooded grounds in the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry, this beautiful early Victorian house has now been transformed into a 14-bedroom boutique B&B, providing a unique blend of the traditional with the luxury of contemporary design. The individually designed spacious deluxe rooms all have comfortable six foot wide beds and are decorated with stylish fabrics and furnishings.

Knockendarroch Hotel | Hotel

The welcoming and luxurious Knockendarroch House Hotel offers a secluded retreat with wonderful views across Pitlochry to the surrounding hills. The hotel boasts large spacious rooms alongside elegant public areas. Wonderful meals, featuring the very best Scottish produce are served in the dining room, from where you can retire to the sumptuous lounge to enjoy a coffee or after dinner drink.

Join the Rob Roy Way for a varied walk along forestry tracks, across a short section of moorland, down along the Tullypowrie Burn, and along the River Tay into the lovely Perthshire village of Aberfeldy. If you'd like to celebrate the halfway point, pause in Grandtully and enjoy a hot cocoa at the award-winning Highland Chocolatier.

If you do not wish to walk from Pitlochry to Aberfeldy, you can catch a local bus (with one change). The journey takes around 45 mins.

Overnight Aberfeldy

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Balnearn House | Hotel

Balnearn is a Victorian style property set within approximately three quarters of an acre of grounds. They have 10 comfortable and well-presented rooms, 7 of which have shower rooms and 3 with bathrooms. All their rooms have flat screen televisions, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. If you wish to keep in contact they provide free Wi-Fi access for your convenience. Each room has a high standard en-suite or private facilities with high pressure showers and the majority have heated towel rails and we provide Scottish Fine Soap toiletries.

Ailean Chraggan Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

The Ailean Chraggan Hotel and Restaurant is all about Scottish hospitality in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Each of the five spacious en-suite rooms has been tastefully refurbished to make your stay as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Their restaurant has a reputation for consistently high quality traditional food, they use the freshest fish and shellfish, seasonal game and local produce.

Fernbank House | Guest House

Fernbank House is an impressive Victorian House once owned by the Earl of Breadalbane. It was built in the late 19th century and is now owned by Annette and Rory Macdonald and their family. They offer a warm welcome to their home that offers a high standard of service and comfort.

Today incorporates an easy walk with exploration of the local area. The walk takes you through the area known locally as The Birks. Originally called the Dens of Moness, the birks (from the Scots for birch trees) overlook the Falls of Moness. They were renamed when Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, penned the poem "The Birks o’Aberfeldie" in 1787. After walking back into the village then, if you wish, you can head out on a riverside trail to visit Castle Menzies, a 16th century Scottish Estate with a walled garden and tearoom. You can also explore the lovely village of Aberfeldy, including a must-visit to the Dewar's world famous whisky distillery.

Overnight Aberfeldy

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Balnearn House | Hotel

Balnearn is a Victorian style property set within approximately three quarters of an acre of grounds. They have 10 comfortable and well-presented rooms, 7 of which have shower rooms and 3 with bathrooms. All their rooms have flat screen televisions, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. If you wish to keep in contact they provide free Wi-Fi access for your convenience. Each room has a high standard en-suite or private facilities with high pressure showers and the majority have heated towel rails and we provide Scottish Fine Soap toiletries.

Ailean Chraggan Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

The Ailean Chraggan Hotel and Restaurant is all about Scottish hospitality in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Each of the five spacious en-suite rooms has been tastefully refurbished to make your stay as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Their restaurant has a reputation for consistently high quality traditional food, they use the freshest fish and shellfish, seasonal game and local produce.

Fernbank House | Guest House

Fernbank House is an impressive Victorian House once owned by the Earl of Breadalbane. It was built in the late 19th century and is now owned by Annette and Rory Macdonald and their family. They offer a warm welcome to their home that offers a high standard of service and comfort.

Today a transfer brings you close to the small hamlet of Trochry, from where you can begin your walk to Dunkeld via The Hermitage, an area cared for by the National Trust of Scotland. It is a stretch of magical forest with towering Douglas firs and you can also visit the 18th century folly named Ossian's Hall. You may spot wildlife such as beavers as you follow in the footsteps of notable visitors of the past including Wordsworth, Queen Victoria, Mendelssohn, and Turner as you wander through this magnificent landscape.

Upon arrival in the pretty village of Dunkeld, spend your final afternoon exploring. It sits on the banks of the Tay River and its cathedral dominates its skyline. Today it's partly a ruin and partly used as a local parish church. Enjoy strolling past the colourful houses here and browse in the little shops where you can purchase some souvenirs of your visit to the heartland of Scotland.

Overnight Dunkeld

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Taybank

This accommodation is located in the heart of Dunkeld and is situated on the banks of the River Tay. They have a collection of beautifully designed rooms. Enjoy sitting in the beer garden by the river and eating in their restaurant if you wish.

Atholl Arms Hotel | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

At the Atholl Arms Hotel located at the head of the arched bridge over the famed River Tay, you will always experience a warm welcome. This award-winning hotel also has an excellent restaurant.

Dunkeld is on the main trainline and therefore you can easily take a direct train to Edinburgh, the journey time being approximately 1H45.