Cairngorms & Perthshire
90 miles | 2.5 hours driving | Google Map
Leave Inverness and head south along the A9, journeying through the heart of the Highlands toward Perthshire. Before leaving Inverness, you have the option to visit two historic sites: Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield.
As you continue south, the emphasis shifts from history to nature. Once you reach the Cairngorms National Park, you’ll have several excellent options to stretch your legs, ranging from gentle riverside woodland walks to more ambitious mountain hikes, or even a guided wildlife experience.
The afternoon’s focus is Pitlochry itself, a charming town that feels like a Highland village come to life. Stroll its streets, explore the shops, or pause at one of the cafés for a coffee and pastry.
After a busy few days, today's driving is intentionally short, allowing you to savour both the journey and the destination at a relaxed pace. However, there is lots to see and do today - these stops are designed to be flexible, allowing you to choose options that suit the weather and your energy levels on the day.
If you have additional time, detour south to either Grandtully or Dunkeld; both are quaint villages with eateries and walks.
Route Note
Inverness → Culloden (Optional Detour) → Pitlochry (via the A9)
Leaving Inverness, make your way east out of the city following signs for the A96 and then Culloden. The drive to Culloden Moor takes around 15–20 minutes, passing through residential outskirts before opening into gently rolling countryside.
When you’re ready to continue south, return toward Inverness and join the A9 signposted for Perth and Pitlochry.
The A9 is a well-maintained trunk road and the main artery through this part of Scotland. The first stretch south passes through open farmland before the scenery begins to rise and narrow as you approach the Cairngorms National Park. Forested slopes, wide straths, and distant mountain ridgelines gradually replace the flatter terrain around Inverness.
As you reach Perthshire, the scenery softens slightly, with woodland and rivers reappearing as you approach Pitlochry. Take the exit signposted for the town centre, where Victorian stone buildings, independent shops, and the River Tummel mark your arrival.
Driving time from Inverness to Pitlochry is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes without stops, though with optional detours and visits along the way, it’s best enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
Historic Stops Near Inverness
Outdoor Museum: Clava Cairns
Your first stop after Inverness, Clava Cairns offers a complete shift in atmosphere: a peaceful woodland ringed with Bronze Age cairns and standing stones, free to visit and usually quiet outside the busiest summer weeks.
Directions:Clava Cairns car park
Time: 15 minutes
Culloden Battlefield
Heading south, it’s a short detour to Culloden Battlefield, where the dedicated visitor centre has its own large car park and an exhibition that can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour, depending on how deeply you want to engage.
Directions:Culloden car park
Time: Around 45 mins to 1.5 hours
Blair Castle & Gardens, Pitlochry
Set just outside the village of Blair Atholl, this striking white castle has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl for over 700 years. Blair Castle’s story is deeply woven into Scotland’s history, from Jacobite uprisings to royal visits, and it remains one of the country’s most important historic estates.
If time allows, the castle interiors offer grand state rooms, armoury displays, and rich clan history. At the same time, the surrounding Hercules Garden offers a peaceful woodland walk framed by the Grampian Mountains.
This is a fantastic heritage option.
Directions: Blair Castle car park
Tickets: can be pre-purchased here or bought at the gate (£20 per person)
Time: Around 2 hours
Comfort Stop at House of Bruar
If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience, head to the nearby House of Bruar. Only 15 minutes north of Pitlochry, this countrywear specialist store is the place to stock up on all things Barbour, Holland Cooper and Hunter.
However, it's the food hall we love most - absolute heaven for foodies, you’ll find local produce alongside all manner of treats, including freshly baked breads, sweets, pastries, pies, cheeses, hampers, and deli goods from numerous counters.
Parking at the House of Bruar is free, and there’s a café on-site and restrooms, making this an easy comfort stop.
Parking: House of Bruar car park
Time: Around an hour
Dalwhinnie Distillery
Dalwhinnie is one of Scotland’s highest distilleries, set amid sweeping Highland scenery. This is very much an optional stop, though you can simply pop in to explore the distillery shop, and your non-driver can enjoy an informal tasting at the bar without taking up too much of your day.
If you’d like to do a formal tasting, we recommend waiting until Pitlochry and visiting Blair Athol Distillery (notes below).
Directions: car park
Time: around 30 minutes
Easy walk: Faskally Forest
Another easy stop and opportunity for a short but very pretty walk is Faskally Forest. The easy-to-follow path loops around Loch Dunmore and takes about 45 minutes. This is located just outside of Pitlochry.
Directions:Faskally Forest
Time: Around 45 minutes
Pitlochry
Your final stop today is Pitlochry - the largest town in Highland Perthshire. There’s lots to do in Pitlochry, excellent restaurants, and, because of its rural landscape, plenty of walks. As always, we recommend heading directly to your hotel to check in, freshen up, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of your stay.
Loch Faskally & The Salmon Ladder
When you arrive in town, I suggest exploring on foot; the best option is the easy circuit below from the town centre to the Salmon Ladder, returning to town via the Festival Theatre and Port na Craig (one of the town's oldest areas).
This gentle, beautiful waterside trail takes about 1.5 hours. This is an excellent way to combine getting outdoors with exploring the town and seeing the town’s highlights (highly recommended).
Trail: OS Maps
Visit Blair Atholl Distillery
One of the oldest and most charming of all Scottish distilleries, Blair Atholl Distillery is located just outside the town. If you’re considering a tour, we especially recommend the Signature Tour at £21 per person.
But there’s also a relaxed and unique mash tun bar area with a fantastic menu, whisky flights, and whisky cocktails. If you’re staying in town, this distillery is an easy walk from your hotel/town, meaning there’s no need for a designated driver.
The bar and shop are walk-in, but tours are best booked in advance.
Directions: Blair Atholl Distillery visitor entrance
Tickets: from the official website here.
Where to eat in Pitlochry
Pitlochry has a range of excellent cafés serving breakfast, brunch, soups, light bites, and cakes. All are walk-in only and can get busy at lunchtime. We recommend Jessie’s, Cafe Calluna, and The Garden Cafe for a friendly, relaxed stop.
For dinner, we recommend one of the following eateries. All are excellent, within walking distance of your hotel. All will require pre-booking.
Fauna *: a lovely restaurant, located inside Pine Trees Hotel. A stylish option compared to more rustic options in the town.
The Bridge Restaurant: our top pick, very relaxed and a great menu of classic dishes.
Fern Cottage: Mediterranean-focused menu
Port na Craig: rustic inn serving hearty Scottish dishes.
The Old Mill Inn: a large and buzzy restaurant in the town centre, with an extensive menu.
The Grandtully Hotel *: our favourite restaurant in the area, a short drive from Pitlochry. The menu focuses on local and seasonal dishes, and strikes the right balance of boutique and friendly.