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Local Activities

Visitor Attractions

Castles, Houses and Gardens

  • Blair Castle & Gardens – Go on a journey into the fascinating past of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Pitlochry PH18 5TL
  • Bolfracks Gardens – between Kenmore and Aberfeldy: an ornamental garden since the mid 18th century, renowned for their collections of rare and unusual plants. Nr Aberfeldy,  PH15 2EX
  • Branklyn Gardens – Two acres of magnificent garden, set on the side of Kinnoull Hill overlooking Perth. Perth PH2 7BB
  • Castle Menzies – The Castle was the seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years.  Situated in a strategic location, it was involved in much of the turbulent history of the Highlands. Weem, PH15 2JD
  • Cluny House Gardens – a secluded woodland garden, open all year.  Strathtay,  PH15 2JT
  • Drummond Castle Gardens – one of Europe’s and Scotland’s most important and impressive formal gardens. Crieff, PH7 4HN
  • Elcho Castle – Handsome and complete fortified mansion of 16th century date, with three projecting towers. Perth, PH2 8QQ
  • Huntingtower Castle – Once known as The House of Ruthven, Huntingtower Castle comprises two fine and complete tower houses. The hall of the eastern tower has a fine painted ceiling. Perth,  PH1 3JL
  • Lochleven Castle – This late 14th or early 15th century tower was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. Loch Leven, KY13 8UF
  • Scone Palace – Built on the site of an ancient abbey, Scone Palace is now the family home of the Earls of Mansfield. Perth, PH2 6BD

 

Museums

  • Atholl Palace Museum – museum telling the story of how the tourist industry has influenced Pitlochry. Pitlochry, PH16 5LY
  • Black Watch Museum – housed in the dramatic and historic Balhousie Castle, set in it’s own beautiful gardens grounds. The museum brings this glorious regiment’s past to life. Perth, PH1 5HR
  • Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum – Museum housing a magnificent collection of carved stones dating from the late eighth to the late tenth centuries. Meigle, PH12 8SB

 

Other attractions

  • Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre – 1 hour away. All year round attraction for all ages, including feeding times and indoor play barns. Comrie, PH6 2JE
  • Fortingall Yew – the oldest living thing in Europe, c.5,000 years old, sits next to Fortingall church and why not allow time to have a drink in the Ewe inn next door, part of the Fortingall Hotel (see restaurants page).
  • Glen Lyon Ash – one of the largest and oldest examples of the Ash in UK, with a girth of 21 feet.  It sits a few feet back from the road on the left hand side when heading up the glen. Location is here, see if you can find it, nice point to aim for on a bike ride, or a stopping point en route to the tea rooms.
  • Scottish Crannog Centre – located in the shallows of Loch Tay, a stroll from Kenmore village, the centre shows what Iron Age life was like with a reconstructed prehistoric loch-dwelling.  Reconstructed on the site of archaeological remains, some of the 2,500 year old artefacts are displayed with DVDs and interpretive boards. Aberfeldy, PH15 2HY
  • Tay Forest Park – Discover legends about demons and dragons, saints and queens. Follow woodland walks that give you spectacular views of the mountains and lochs making this part of Scotland so memorable.

Spas

  • Taymouth Marina Hotbox on Loch Tay – enjoy a sauna, steam room or outdoor hot pool overlooking the loch followed by a slide into the icy waters. 
  • Lavender Spa, Atholl Palace Hotel – drawing on its heritage as a Victorian health hydro using the powers of the natural spring water which comes from the mountain of Ben-y-Vrackie. Pitlochry, PH16 5LY
  • Crieff Hydro Beauty Salon –  a historic retreat that’s been tending to spa seekers since 1868. Crieff, PH7 3LQ
  • Knock Castle Spa –  combines traditional facial and body treatments designed to restore balance to stressed bodies and minds, with detoxifying programmes to leave you feeling relaxed, toned, and revitalised. Crieff, PH7 4AN

Outdoor Activities

The area offers golf courses, great water sports, mountain biking and pony trekking, all of which attract visitors from around the world:

Cycling

Glen Lyon is a great place to cycle, with its long (relatively) quiet road. We have four Mondraker Prime e-bikes available:

  • Chesthill House: small (suitable for c.5ft), medium, large, extra large (over 6ft).  We also provide four adult size racing/road bikes.  
  • Fortingall Hotel (£50/day for guests): small (suitable for c.5ft), medium x2, large, extra large (over 6ft).  

Some ideas (but please take your own responsibility for your safety):

  • 16.4 miles there and back to the Glen Lyon tea rooms at Bridge of Balgie. Total climb 180 feet.
  • 32 miles round trip if you fork left at Bridge of Balgie over the hill past Ben Lawyers dam, and back via Loch Tay.  Total climb 1,400 feet: one only for the very fit!
  • 36 miles to Rannoch.  Turn right at Innerwick, follow the hill track all the way to Loch Rannoch, hit the road, turn right, through the Tay Forest Park, turn south, through Coshevillie and Keltneyburn, stop at The Fortingall for a refreshment, then proceed up Glen Lyon in triumph.  Total climb 1,919 feet.
  • 36 miles there and back to Loch Lyon.  Total climb 760 feet.
  • Glassie Bike Park, near Aberfeldy (25 mins) has downhill tracks for all abilities, ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘extremely difficult’.  You will need your own bikes and the ability to get them there. No need to book in advance, you can drive your vehicle up the hill to the Bunkhouse to start; donations welcome.

 

Walking on / from the estate

Unlimited options to head up the hill, with incredible scenery and several Munros within reach on foot.  Or to stay in the glen and do a round trip over bridges on the river.  Speak to the Keeper or see the welcome pack for advice and maps.

Exploring by car

Glen Lyon is over 34 miles long, according to Sir Walter Scott “…the longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland…’.  So seeing it is recommended.  Follow any of the located in the old post office, this charming tea room is a lovely excuse to travel 8 miles up the glen and see the beautiful scenery.  So much so we have also added it to the Activities page! It serves good tea, scones and cakes.  It also makes a mean hot chocolate.  01887 866324.

Golf 

  • Mains of Taymouth (9 holes) is 8 miles from Chesthill House / 5 miles from Fortingall, welcomes visitors, and isn’t too expensive.  They hire out buggies, trolleys and clubs but check the set before you tee off!  You don’t need to book unless you want to hire clubs.  The greens are excellent quality.
  • Aberfeldy Golf Club (18 holes) 01887 820535.
  • Killin Golf Club (9 holes) 01567 820312.

 

Watersports

  • Keltneyburn Canyon – beginner level canyoning, minimum age 12, with cliff jumps, water slides and river swimming! Open from mid-March until the end of October.
  • Bruar Canyon – jumps ranging from 2 meters to 8 meters, flumes, vertical rock slides and waterfall abseils. Good for spectators. Atholl, PH18 5TH.
  • Kayaking, Canoeing or Rafting on the river Tay with Beyond adventure – Aberfeldy, PH15 2EB.
  • Loch Tay Boating Centre – boat hire including sailing and fishing boats. Kenmore, PH15 2HG
  • Freespirits Watersports Centre – a little further away but a good option for rafting, kayaking, canyoning on the river Tay. Grandtully, PH9 0PL
  • Taymouth Marina Watersports – kayaking and canoeing on Loch Tay. Kenmore, PH15 2HW
  • Perth Leisure Pool – pool boasts training water, leisure water, flumes, a gym and a health suite. Perth, PH2 0HZ

 

Other Fun

  •  Scottish Quads – Perthshire’s most centrally located Quad Biking Centre, with a fleet of over 50 quad bikes, and treks to suit all abilities. Also on offer are Argocat driving and water activities. Dunkeld, PH8 0BX
  • Meggernie Pony Trekking – Glenlyon, Open from June to mid October. 01887 866234.
  • Perthshire Paintball and laser battlefield games, also gold panning in local rivers. Aberfeldy, PH15 2AQ
  • Bungee jumping with Beyond Adventure.  Aberfeldy, PH15

 

Trails to Explore

  • The Cateran Trail – a fully waymarked walk of 64 miles (103 km), that takes its name from the feared cattle thieves who raided the rich lands of Strathardle, Glenshee and Glen Isla. More suited to ramblers, as there are plenty of ladder stiles! Some sections are suitable for cyclists.
  • Loch Leven Heritage Trail – a unique trail linking natural, historic and cultural heritage around Loch Leven. Suitable for both cyclists and ramblers.

Distilleries and Wineries

  • Dewar’s World of Whisky – the story of a worldwide whisky brand told through films, interactive exhibitions, distillery tours and tastings. Aberfeldy, PH15 2EB
  • Edradour Distillary – world renowned as the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland and arguably the most unique. Pitlochry, PH16 5JP 
  • Glenturret Distillary – the home of Famous Grouse. Crieff, PH7 4HA 
  • Cairn O’Mohr Winery – free tastings of delicious award-winning fruit wines and cider, fermented from local fruits, leaves and flowers. Errol, PH2 7SP
  • Blair Athol Distillery Visitor Centre – Founded in 1798 it is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland, and home to Bell’s whisky. Pitlochry, PH16 5LY

Eating Out

Recommendations:

  • Fortingall Hotel: good restaurant serving a traditional British menu. 01887 830367.
  • The Ewe Inn: part of the Fortingall Hotel, the Ewe Inn serves bar meals, lunches, snacks, coffees and teas. Live music every Friday evening from 8pm. 01887 830367.
  • Glen Lyon tea room: located in the old post office, this charming tea room is a lovely excuse to travel 8 miles up the glen and see the beautiful scenery.  So much so we have also added it to the Activities page! It serves good tea, scones and cakes.  It also makes a mean hot chocolate.  01887 866324.
  • Three Lemons, Aberfeldy – 01887 820057
  • The Grandtully Hotel, Grandtully, by Ballintaggart – 01887 447000

Shops and Galleries

Shops and Cafes

  • The Watermill – Bookshop, café, gallery and homeware store. Aberfeldy, PH15 2BG
  • Homer Homes and Gardens – An interiors shop behind the Watermill. Aberfeldy, PH15 2BT
  • Lawers Horn Carver Lawers, Loch Tay side (north). An eclectic collection of beautifully carved horn and antlers. 01567 820561.
  • Spirit of Wood – stocks a selection of pine furniture, home accessories and gifts. Aberfeldy, PH15 2EA
  • Taymouth Courtyard Delicatessen – deli and gift shops with the Mains of Taymouth Estate, alongside a restaurant. Kenmore, PH15 2HN
  • Glenalmond Tweed Company – Glenalmond design clothes, hats, caps, bags, luggage and accessories made from hand woven Harris Tweed. They also sell Scottish tweed by the metre. Perth, PH1 3SN
  • Cocoa Mountain Chocolatier and Cafe – The finest hand-made luxury chocolates and famous Hot Chocolate, triple certified coffees, desserts and ice cream. Auchterarder, PH3 1AD
  • Creiff Visitor Centre – home to a gift shop, restaurant, garden centre, gallery and more. Crieff, PH7 4HQ
  • Perthshire Visitor Centre – a unique blend of shopping and an all day family restaurant. Gifts, clothing and leisure ranges all under one roof. Perth, PH1 4EB
  • House of Bruar – found on the A9 eleven miles north of Pitlochry, it comprises Country Clothing Halls, Cashmere Hall, Country Living Department, Food Hall, restaurant and gallery. Blair Atholl, PH18 5TW
  • Heathergems – Manufacturers of a unique range of Scottish jewllery and giftware made from heather stems. Free entry into the viewing gallery and factory shop located behind the Tourist Office. Pitlochry, PH16 5BX


Galleries

  • Iron Fairy and Keltneyburn Smithy – Internationally acclaimed, original, fun and highly unusual ironwork sculptures using mainly recycled materials. Aberfeldy, PH15 2LF
  • Watermill Gallery and Bookshop – Art exhibitions on the top floor, a selection of books, CDs and music, plus coffee shop serving lunches and snacks on the ground floor. Aberfeldy, PH15 2BG
  • Frames Gallery – houses a selection of original contemporary Scottish art: paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery in addition to regulate exhibitions. Perth, PH2 8LW
  • The Strathearn Gallery – A friendly gallery where you will see regular exhibitions of paintings and applied art by artists based in Scotland. Crieff, PH7 4DL

Being in central Perthshire it is an ideal base for exploring the central Highlands, within 12 miles of Aberfeldy, 20 miles of Pitlochry and less than two hours to Edinburgh airport. Here are a selection of things to do in the local area:

Distilleries and Wineries Eating Out Outdoor Activities Shops and Galleries SpasVisitor Attractions