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The hydro dam and power station on the River Tummel at Pitlochry.
Perthshire

Pitlochry

A Victorian resort town on the Tummel, grown up after Queen Victoria's visit of 1842 and the railway of 1863, with its theatre, its dam and its salmon ladder.

Welcome

Pitlochry sits on the River Tummel where the road north leaves the Tay for the Highlands, a town of stone villas and hotels climbing the hill above a busy High Street.

It grew into a resort after Queen Victoria came this way in 1842 and the railway reached it in 1863, and it has welcomed visitors ever since.

The Festival Theatre began in a marquee in 1951 and now stands in its own building across the river, with a season running most of the year. Below the town, a hydro dam holds back the Tummel to make Loch Faskally, and beside the dam a fish ladder lets salmon climb past it, with a window to watch them in summer.

The walks start from the town: round Loch Faskally, up through the woods above the town, or out to Killiecrankie and Queen's View. The High Street has its cast-iron canopy, its shops and tearooms, and the Highland line stops at the station.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Close byThe Old Mill InnA family-run inn in a former corn mill off Atholl Road in Pitlochry, with a bistro and bar of local food, a courtyard, live music and rooms.1 min by roadSee itThe Old Mill Inn
Before you go

A town, open at all times.

The dam, the fish ladder and the walks round Loch Faskally are free; the Festival Theatre plays most of the year.

Where
Highland Perthshire, on the A924 just off the A9.
To see
The dam and fish ladder, Loch Faskally, the Festival Theatre, the High Street.

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Where it is

On the River Tummel in Highland Perthshire, just off the A9.

Close byPitlochry.
  1. John Muir Trust CentreJohn Muir Trust CentreUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Loch Tummel viewed through autumn trees from Queen's View, PerthshireQueen's ViewThe Queen’s View overlooks Loch Tummel and is named after Queen Victoria, who came here in 1866.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The Perthshire Gallery, PerthshireThe Perthshire GalleryUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. Pitlochry Dam Visitor CentrePitlochry Dam Visitor CentreThe story of the hydro dams, and the salmon, at the dam.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. Loch FaskallyLoch FaskallyThe loch made by the dam, ringed by woodland paths.3 miles 5 min by road
  6. Loch Tummel stretches between wooded hills, framed by autumn leaves at Queen's ViewQueen’s ViewA view down Loch Tummel to Schiehallion.7 miles 10 min by road
Directions
Victoria's restaurant on a stone corner building with green awnings and topiary shrubsRestaurantsVictoria's0.2 miles
Café Calluna storefront with hanging flower baskets and diners seated outsideCafeCafe Calluna0.2 miles
The Old Mill Inn's stone façade covered in ivy, with picnic tables outsideRestaurantsThe Old Mill Inn0.3 miles
Corner sign reading "Escape Route Café, Licensed, Pitlochry" on a whitewashed buildingCafeEscape Route0.3 miles
Turquoise-fronted Hetties tearoom, offering "Great Food, Cakery, Takeaway" and ice creamCafeHettie's Tea Rooms0.3 miles
Highland Soap Co shopfront with bay window on a stone corner buildingShoppingThe Highland Soap Company0.3 miles
Wooden hut with stag emblem beside a picnic bench and lawnAttractionsPitlochry Putting Green0.5 miles
Whitewashed Moulin Hotel with green parasols and hanging flower baskets on a village streetRestaurantsMoulin Hotel and Brewery0.7 miles
Stone facade of the Atholl Arms Hotel with flags and flower basketsRestaurantsAtholl Palace Hotel0.8 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near Pitlochry, and when each is next free.

A stone cottage with a gabled dormer window catches evening light among autumn trees, a bench and picnic table on the gravel outside.Charlottefield
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Tulliemet
  • 4 miles from Pitlochry
Check datesAn aerial view shows a stone and timber cottage with a round hot tub in the garden, hills rising behind a dry stone wall.Pheasant Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Kincraigie
  • 6 miles from Pitlochry
Check datesLittle Pheasant, PerthshireLittle Pheasant
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Perthshire
  • 6 miles from Pitlochry
Check datesA stone farmhouse with dormer windows sits behind a timber post and rail fence, trees and hills visible beyond.Milton of Kincraigie
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Blair Atholl
  • 6 miles from Pitlochry
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in PerthshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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