Things to do
WHATS ON - ANNUAL EVENTS FOR 2010 INCLUDE:
September Highlights (more events)
Throughout the month - Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Summer Programme
Throughout the month - Blair Castle, Tractor & Trailer Tours, Attic Tours, outdoor events etc.
Monday Evenings - Highland Night - Recreation Ground Pitlochry
9 September - BBC Antiques Road show, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.
11 September - Pitlochry Highland Games, Recreation Park, Pitlochry.
11 - 19 September - Perthshire Open Studios, throughout the county.
25 - 26 September - Doors Open Day, free annual event Perthshire.
October Highlights (more events)
22 Oct - 7 Nov - The Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry and the Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival.
29 Oct - 7 Nov - Perthshire Amber Music Festival, Pitlochry and surrounding area.
30 October - Glenfiddich Piping Championships, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.
DAYS OUT IN PERTHSHIRE
There are lots of interesting places to visit in Perthshire and you can take a leisurely day out without having to spend too much time in the car. Our suggestions are below:
Killiecrankie - Blair Castle - Queens View
Aberfeldy - Loch Tay - Glen Lyon
Dunked - Sm’a Glen - Crieff - Drummond Castle Gardens
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The town of Pitlochry and surrounding area provides a diverse range of attractions
with some of Scotland’s most astounding scenery as the backdrop.
There are many places to visit within a mile or two which we would recommend taking in on your holiday or short break.
Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder
The dam was built in the 1940’s during the Hydro Electric expansion across the Scottish Highlands. Although the visitor centre is small, the walk across the dam and the view over Loch Faskally is a magical experience. Why not continue this beautiful walk around the loch?
Visitors enjoy watching the Salmon jump during the early evening and take bets on the fish count through the specially designed ‘ladder’.
Port-Na-Craig Inn
The beautiful little Port-na-Craig Inn is just seconds from Voland Cottage, you can enjoy a nice lunch or pre-Theatre dinner in the lovely relaxing conservatory or main restaurant. Also on sunny days you can sit out in the Fishermans Wharf Garden and watch the fishermen fly fishing for salmon.
Distillery Tours
There are two distilleries in the immediate area the closest is the well known Bell’s Whisky and is located on the south side of Pitlochry. Edradour Distillery, which is the smallest legal distillery in Scotland, is a nice stroll through the Black Spout Wood or just a short drive to. Both Distilleries operate a tour with a wee dram after.
Moulin Brewery
Moulin Brewery at the Moulin Inn.
Why not take a tour of the micro-plant and then enjoy a sample with the locals next door.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Located just through the back garden gate the ‘Theatre in the Hills’ sits overlooking the river Tummel and faces the imposing mountainside of Ben-Y-Vrackie. It is famed for its imaginative sets and varied productions. If you visit Pitlochry for a week in the summer you can see 6 different plays during your stay.
The theatre hosts other events including art exhibitions, creative writing courses and concerts for varied musical tastes.
Close by is the Plant collectors garden. This is lovely place to walk round with interesting native species, information on the local history of gardening and some peaceful spaces to sit and relax.
Heathergems Factory
Jewellery out of heather? Believe it or not – yes! Find out how it is made with a guided tour. An unusual and unique gift from Scotland. Located centrally in the town, behind the tourist information centre.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Perthshire is undoubtedly the capital of Outdoor Activities in Scotland. Whether you want to go solo and hike the mountains and glens, rush down a river at top speed with other thrill seekers, take a leisurely boat trip on a local loch or go on a rugged Highland Safari, Perthshire has it all.
There are several publications that can be purchased locally, many are provided free, which will direct you to all that Perthshire offers for the outdoor enthusiast. There are also companies that will do all the organising for you. But if you need any further information before your stay on a particular venue, then please let us know and we will endeavour to find out more information for you, ready for your stay at Voland. Some ideas are detailed below:
Nae Limits Offers a wide range of white knuckle activities, based in Ballinluig.
Splash White water rafting, Aberfeldy.
Boating Station Rowing boats and fishing tackle hire on Loch Faskally, Pitlochry.
Escape Route Bike hire from centre of Pitlochry.
Quayles Fishing Shop Everything you need for a relaxing day out fishing, including permits, bait, rod hire etc
Highland Safaris Offers a range of events and treks into the countryside in 4x4 vehicles.
WALKERS PARADISE
Perthshire is known as Big Tree Country and has miles and miles of walking trails for every level of walker.
You can enjoy a stroll down the river Tummel or hike into the mountains and glens of Blair Atholl.
The Pitlochry Tourist Information Centre has a range of maps and books which detail the many walks in the Pitlochry area and beyond.
Here are some of our favourite walks:
Ben-y-Vrackie - This imposing double-peaked mountain dominates the landscape above Pitlochry. First through woodland then through moorland to the peak
Criaigower Hill - the walk is steep but well worth the effort when you see the amazing views to the north, west and south.
Falls of Bruar - a short but spectacular walk up a river gorge through woodland.
Glen Tilt - a long walk up this majestic river, partly open, partly through native Scottish woodland.
Tummel Walks - a network of paths make up these walks through varied woodland, riverside and lochs including the spectacular gorge at Killiecrankie.
The Black Spout - a local walk that takes in the spectacular waterfall from the river that supplies the Edradour Distillery.
Loch Ordie - to the south of Pitlochry, this walk has spectacular views up both the Tummel and Tay valleys.
Granny Pines - through native Scottish woodland on a hillside where the Tummel meets the Tay.
Loch Faskally - a beautiful walk round this man-made loch above the dam and fish ladder in Pitlochry - stop for a cream tea half way round!
