PITLOCHRY - a local's guide
City/town information
Pitlochry has been attracting tourists for generations for its clean air, access to brilliant walks, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and now there is paddleboarding and caneoing for hire too. Amongst the tourist shops, there are some real hidden gems, but the best thing about Pitlochry is all the amazing countryside and rivers and lochs and wildlife all around with hardly a soul. It is very easy to get to, with a train station linking Pitlochry directly to London!
54 locals recommend
Pitlochry
Pitlochry has been attracting tourists for generations for its clean air, access to brilliant walks, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and now there is paddleboarding and caneoing for hire too. Amongst the tourist shops, there are some real hidden gems, but the best thing about Pitlochry is all the amazing countryside and rivers and lochs and wildlife all around with hardly a soul. It is very easy to get to, with a train station linking Pitlochry directly to London!
Local Adventures
Places to do watersports, bungee jumping, walks and more
This is a really beautiful spot! Hire a boat, canoe, pedalo or paddleboard by the hour, feed the ducks (you can buy duck food there), eat a massive homemade scone or cake and watch the beautiful water and scenery. Still feels like a local secret. good for dog walking (dogs welcome) and is the start of lots of great walks.
13 locals recommend
Pitlochry Boating Station & Adventure Hire
Clunie Bridge RoadThis is a really beautiful spot! Hire a boat, canoe, pedalo or paddleboard by the hour, feed the ducks (you can buy duck food there), eat a massive homemade scone or cake and watch the beautiful water and scenery. Still feels like a local secret. good for dog walking (dogs welcome) and is the start of lots of great walks.
Magical woodlands with spectacular waterfall, feels like a secret gem only known to local dogwalkers!
8 locals recommend
Black Spout Wood
Magical woodlands with spectacular waterfall, feels like a secret gem only known to local dogwalkers!
Home of The Enchanted Forest each October, Dunmore Loch and the surrrounding Faskally Woods are truly magical and a great place to wander
14 locals recommend
Faskally Forest
Home of The Enchanted Forest each October, Dunmore Loch and the surrrounding Faskally Woods are truly magical and a great place to wander
Pitlochry Putting Green
3 Rie-Achan RdFun little course at a reasonable price - great way to spend an afternoon!
Fantastic hike which takes between 1-3 hours. There is a lovely loch half way up - great for a picnic spot. The last part of the hike is quite strenuous.
27 locals recommend
Ben Vrackie
Fantastic hike which takes between 1-3 hours. There is a lovely loch half way up - great for a picnic spot. The last part of the hike is quite strenuous.
Craigower
Lovely, fairly gentle walk up this local hill, with great views at the top.
Sightseeing
Fun walk through fields to reach this ruined castle, just 20 mins walk from The Paddle Nook. Steeped in history, which you can read about on the info board at the field entrance at Moulin Hall
Black Castle Ruins
Fun walk through fields to reach this ruined castle, just 20 mins walk from The Paddle Nook. Steeped in history, which you can read about on the info board at the field entrance at Moulin Hall
Fun, informative tours - easily walkable from The Paddle Nook
25 locals recommend
Blair Athol Distillery
Perth RoadFun, informative tours - easily walkable from The Paddle Nook
Interesting free exhibition and great cafe - perfect for a rainy day!
38 locals recommend
Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre
Armoury RoadInteresting free exhibition and great cafe - perfect for a rainy day!
Cultural places
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Port-Na-Craig RoadFamous theatre, with some outdoor events.
An old church in Moulin that now hosts a heritage collection - fascinating graveyard with Moulin pub/restaurant just across the road!
Heritage Centre
18 A924An old church in Moulin that now hosts a heritage collection - fascinating graveyard with Moulin pub/restaurant just across the road!
My favourite shops
Great selection of dried goods, fresh bread and local veggies, ethical and zero waste products, information about going green, a seed swap and more! Please support this important new enterprise while you are here!
Handam Refill Station CIC
69 Burnside RdGreat selection of dried goods, fresh bread and local veggies, ethical and zero waste products, information about going green, a seed swap and more! Please support this important new enterprise while you are here!
This place sells EVERYTHING you need to fix, grow, make, all under one store. A local family owned business .
The Hardware Centre
36 Atholl RdThis place sells EVERYTHING you need to fix, grow, make, all under one store. A local family owned business .
Nice wee interactive exhibitions, local art and a great selection of books focusing on outdoor learning, nature and the environment
John Muir Trust
Station RoadNice wee interactive exhibitions, local art and a great selection of books focusing on outdoor learning, nature and the environment
Food scene
My favourite cafe in Pitlochry. Owned by the Escape Route bike shop on the way into Pitlochry. Great food and coffee, and reasonably priced, child friendly, wood burning stove in the winter and lovely upcycled wooden tables. A good place to get some work done.
https://www.facebook.com/EscapeRouteBikes
13 locals recommend
Escape Route
3 Atholl RdMy favourite cafe in Pitlochry. Owned by the Escape Route bike shop on the way into Pitlochry. Great food and coffee, and reasonably priced, child friendly, wood burning stove in the winter and lovely upcycled wooden tables. A good place to get some work done.
https://www.facebook.com/EscapeRouteBikes
Boutique vegan hotel in Pitlochry- the first in the UK! They do a set menu around a communal table each night - non-guests welcome. I haven't actually been yet but want to!
www.saorsahotel.com/
Saorsa 1875
2 E Moulin RdBoutique vegan hotel in Pitlochry- the first in the UK! They do a set menu around a communal table each night - non-guests welcome. I haven't actually been yet but want to!
www.saorsahotel.com/
Nice cafe in central Pitlochry selling Glen Lyon Coffee, Homemade Soups, Homemade Baking, Freshly made Panini, Baguettes, Sandwiches, Jacket Potatoes, Breakfast, Milkshakes, Ice Cream, Smoothies, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Local Honey, Snacks, Treats, Local artwork. Friendly place.
https://www.facebook.com/CafeCalluna
10 locals recommend
Cafe Calluna
90 Atholl RdNice cafe in central Pitlochry selling Glen Lyon Coffee, Homemade Soups, Homemade Baking, Freshly made Panini, Baguettes, Sandwiches, Jacket Potatoes, Breakfast, Milkshakes, Ice Cream, Smoothies, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Local Honey, Snacks, Treats, Local artwork. Friendly place.
https://www.facebook.com/CafeCalluna
Amazing hotel where non-guests are also welcome. I love going for a coffee or cocktail in their gorgeous bar with a stunning view! The restaurant is very pricey.
9 locals recommend
Fonab Castle Hotel
Foss RoadAmazing hotel where non-guests are also welcome. I love going for a coffee or cocktail in their gorgeous bar with a stunning view! The restaurant is very pricey.
The fish here is OUTSTANDING. Fresh from Buckie, it melts in your mouth. Honestly beats any I've tasted, even by the coast! Worth phoning in advance to pre-order, otherwise there's always a long queue. Only a 5-10 min walk fro The Paddle Nook, it's a great option when you can't be bothered cooking and want to sit outside and enjoy the view.
The Plaice To Be
8 W Moulin RdThe fish here is OUTSTANDING. Fresh from Buckie, it melts in your mouth. Honestly beats any I've tasted, even by the coast! Worth phoning in advance to pre-order, otherwise there's always a long queue. Only a 5-10 min walk fro The Paddle Nook, it's a great option when you can't be bothered cooking and want to sit outside and enjoy the view.
Good atmosphere, friendly staff, large tented outside eating area. A bit pricey but large helpings. And very close to The Paddle Nook. Sometimes they do live music.
22 locals recommend
The Old Mill Inn
Mill LaneGood atmosphere, friendly staff, large tented outside eating area. A bit pricey but large helpings. And very close to The Paddle Nook. Sometimes they do live music.
Cosy wee place on the main street with good pancakes and traybakes! They also do decent meals.
Cafe Biba
40 Atholl RdCosy wee place on the main street with good pancakes and traybakes! They also do decent meals.
The nearest cafe/restaurant to The Paddle Nook! Large eating area, varied menu with a view of the golf course. My mum says they do good scones!
19 locals recommend
Pitlochry Golf
Golf Course RoadThe nearest cafe/restaurant to The Paddle Nook! Large eating area, varied menu with a view of the golf course. My mum says they do good scones!
Great wee cafe here! Good cake selection and ice creams as well as bacon sarnies and tasty soup and scones.
13 locals recommend
Pitlochry Boating Station & Adventure Hire
Clunie Bridge RoadGreat wee cafe here! Good cake selection and ice creams as well as bacon sarnies and tasty soup and scones.
City advice
Travelling with kids
There are 3 pretty decent playgrounds in town
I can tell you where to find them!
What to pack
Always bring a waterproof jacket!
It can be four seasons in one day here!
Getting around
There are buses to all the local villages
...but it may take some time to get there and there may be only one a day
Don't miss
Monthly local producers market
Monthly Markets are on the 3rd Saturday of the month April to October. Local Traders, Produce & Crafts
What to pack
Bring midgie repellent between May-July
They can get quite back when out in the hills or by water
Don't miss
Come to our wild swimming sessions
Fri and Sat mornings at 10am at Loch Faskally - ask Julia for more details!