Location
In 1842 Queen Victoria visited Pitlochry. This regal visit put the small town on the map, so to speak. It was then that people began to visit. When the railway arrived, almost twenty years later, it became a popular resort town.
Pitlochry has ideal elements for a resort town. It is based at the foot of Ben-Y-Vrackie mountain, has the glorious River Tummel and, naturally, benefits from the spectacular surroundings of Highland Perthshire.
Pitlochry is ostensibly a town known for its Victorian roots. Visitors can still see evidence of Scottish Baronial architecture, which, among its other curious buildings, lends the town a rather unique aesthetic. Those with a love of history might like to visit Moulin, a village on the outskirts of the modern town. This is the site of the ancient settlement which thrived long before the modern town began its gradual development. It was General Wade who built his military road in the early 18th century, who created the settlement around which modern Pitlochry came to be.
The town has long been a major thoroughfare, which has been integral to its development. From ancient times to General Wade's strategic road, to today where main road and rail routes to Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh all pass through.
Pitlochry is famed for its Dam and Fish Ladder, which bridges the gap between the River Tummel and the Loch Faskally. Built between 1947 and 1951, it is the town's most popular attraction. Thousands visit it each year to see the salmon making their way up the ladder, from the river to the dam.
Only a few miles from town, you'll find Blair Castle, which is certainly worth a visit. A little further afield, in the opposite direction, is the remarkable Castle Menzies, which dates back to the 16th century. Alternatively, we're very close to Blair Atholl Distillery, or you can walk over the foot bridge to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre which has an art gallery, coffee and a gift shop.
The area around Pitlochry is by turns beautiful and rich with history. From the hills and forests to the lochs and rivers, there are few who've visited who have not marvelled at its natural beauty. More than that, it's a town imbued with heritage and the warmth of the Highland people who've made it their home.