The Most Beautiful Towns To Visit in Perthshire
Perthshire
If you’re immersed in planning a trip to Perthshire, you’ll quickly realise how many postcard-perfect villages and towns there are to visit - and how difficult it is to choose between them. I frequently spend weekends exploring this leafy area, and I’m sharing this guide on which are the prettiest spots in Perthshire, and which are worth your time spending the weekend.
Perthshire is actually one of our favourite regions of Scotland to explore.
Straddling the Highlands and Lowlands, the Perthshire countryside, along with historic towns like Pitlochry and Comrie, offers a plethora of boutique stays and stunning eateries that make it so special.
Yet, oh-so-charming Perthshire is often relegated to a quick stopover, whether for travellers returning from Inverness or locals heading to iconic spots like Dunkeld. However, we think it’s perfect for a longer, more immersive getaway - or an alternative destination to Scotland’s northern hotspots.
For this guide, I’m focusing on the countryside of Perthshire and its most picturesque villages and towns.
If you’re trying to piece all of this together into a Scotland route, this is exactly the kind of trip I plan for clients - find out more about our custom routes and itineraries.
Now, this special region of Scotland can, in theory, be seen over a long weekend. However, bear in mind that Perthshire sprawls across a huge area, and driving times can be longer than you might think.
I feel like it’s best to visit at a leisurely pace so you can really soak it in - give yourself the time to explore forest trails, indulge in a long lunch at a cosy inn, and go waterfall hunting. There are also some absolute bucket-list hotels to consider, so I’ve included a few of those as well.
Quick Guide: Best Towns & Villages in Perthshire
Aberfeldy
Auchterarder
Blair Atholl
Comrie
Crieff
Dunkeld
Grandtully
Killin
Kinross
Kenmore
Pitlochry
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Where To Stay in Perthshire
There are a few standout ‘destination’ hotels in Perthshire. Some are located in the towns and villages mentioned in this guide, while others are in rural settings. A few fall into the luxury category, others are what we’d call elevated, boutique stays. All are worth booking for the experience, the excellent on-site food scene, and the atmosphere. These are the ones I would consider staying at:
Coorie Inn Restaurant & Rooms, Muthill
The Taybank, Dunkeld
Pine Trees, Pitlochry
The Grandtully Hotel, Grandtully
The Fortingall Hotel, nr Aberfeldy
Gleaneagles, Auchterarder
Helpful Guides To Plan Your Perthshire Trip
If you’re planning a trip to Perthshire, we’ve got plenty of Perthshire guides to help you plan. Check out the best places to stay in Perthshire, the most charming Perthshire villages, and detailed guides to Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Comrie, and Aberfeldy. Plus, this forest-and-foodie getaway.
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The Best Villages & Towns To Visit in Perthshire
Aberfeldy
Often overlooked in favour of Perthshire’s more famous spots, the town of Aberfeldy might be the region’s most rewarding unsung hero. An ideal day trip or escape for anyone craving fresh air, good food, forest walks, waterfalls, and boutique stores, it’s a compact town that’s easy to visit.
We love the cafe and coffee shop scene, especially after a walk around the Birks of Aberfeldy with its forest canopy and tumbling waterfalls. Other outdoor options include a walk along the River Tay or through Weem Woods, while in the town, visiting the boutique stores dotted along the main street is a must.
If you can stay at least one night, there are stunning hotels nearby. Or visit on a day trip from Pitlochry, Kenmore, or Crieff.
Auchterarder
Auchterarder sits on Perthshire’s southern edge and makes an appealing base for travellers who want a blend of village charm and easy access to the region’s main routes. It’s famously long high street (one of the longest in Scotland) is lined with independent shops, cafés, and small eateries.
Beyond the high street, Auchterarder has several nearby highlights that reward a little exploring. Tullibardine Chapel is one of Perthshire’s most atmospheric historic sites, while Tullibardine Distillery offers tours and tastings just outside town.
To the south, Glendevon is a scenic pocket of hills, reservoirs, and walking trails. And just minutes away sits Gleneagles Resort, where you can enjoy exceptional dining or book a spa day even if you’re not an overnight guest.
Thanks to its central location, Auchterarder is a convenient day trip from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, or Perth.
Blair Atholl
Blair Atholl, a tiny village of traditional cottages and quiet lanes, is home to one of Perthshire’s most impressive landmarks: Blair Castle & Gardens.
This grand, white-walled estate has anchored this landscape for centuries, and is a lovely place to visit, with its rich history, formal gardens, and miles of woodland trails that begin right from the grounds.
For travellers heading north or south through the Highlands, Blair Atholl is just a short detour off the A9 and makes an easy and worthwhile stop, and a visit here offers excellent insight into the clan battles, power struggles, and sieges that beset the region.
Comrie
Comrie is one of Highland Perthshire’s most charming villages, set where rivers, glens, and the first folds of the Highlands meet.
Compact in size, there’s a good choice of independent bakeries, delis, and cafés lining the main street. While historic cottages, narrow lanes, and riverside walks add to its timeless appeal. The landscape here is perfect for outdoor adventures: from gentle walks along the Earn to the woodland gorge of Deil’s Cauldron and bigger hikes on Ben Chonzie, you can experience Comrie’s wilder side without ever straying far from the village.
What makes Comrie especially rewarding is its location - the classic Highland A84 route lies just to the west, Perthshire’s iconic A9 forest drives to the east, and the village itself works perfectly as both a day trip and a base for exploring the area.
Crieff
Crieff is one of those towns that offers a lot if you choose to stay. Its culinary reputation is flourishing thanks to its stylish cafes, bakeries, bistros, and Michelin-starred restaurant, while Scotland’s oldest working distillery offers one of the most polished whisky experiences in the region.
Then there’s the outdoor opportunities at Loch Turret. Far less visited than Scotland’s more famous outdoor regions, the trails in the hills here are quiet even in peak season, yet oh so rewarding and atmospheric.
Much like neighbour Comrie, its location between the Western Highlands and Highland Perthshire makes it a perfect base for exploring, though we love Crieff equally for a day trip.
Dunkeld
Dunkeld, one of the most iconic Perthshire villages, is known for its preserved centuries-old village square and nearby forest walks. For me, Dunkeld and its surrounding area are a wonderful place to spend your time on a classic Scottish getaway, as it's close to so much.
I’d recommend staying in one of Dunkeld’s stylish hotels and using it as your hub for exploring this corner of Perthshire. Wander through the village, then branch out to the famed woodland paths and waterfalls at The Hermitage, take a day trip to Loch Tay for outdoor adventures, pop over to Pitlochry, or spend an afternoon discovering Aberfeldy and Grandtully.
If you’re visiting on a day trip, Dunkeld is also very easy to reach from Edinburgh by car or train, with the journey taking roughly an hour.
Grandtully
Grandtully, strategically, is one of those unsuspecting little hamlets that offers a lot if you choose to stay there, located in the heart of Highland Perthshire.
The beauty of staying in Grandtully is that it sits in a prime spot between Aberfeldy and Loch Tay to the west, and Pitlochry and the A9 corridor to the east, making it an excellent base if you’re looking for a quieter stay with easy access to some of Perthshire’s most popular areas.
On my first few trips to Perthshire, we skipped Grandtully, but on my last trip, we stayed for two nights. I loved the rural setting and the day trips you could take from there.
The Grandtully Hotel is the standout draw, known for its thoughtful, produce-led dining and relaxed, design-driven rooms. Just across the road, the much-loved Highland Chocolatier offers artisan truffles, a small café, and a good excuse to pick up something sweet for the road.
Even if you’re not staying overnight, Grandtully is well worth a visit for the food alone, and it’s an easy detour if you’re travelling by car between the major hubs of Perthshire. For a slower approach, you can also walk here from Aberfeldy along the old railway line - a gentle, scenic route that forms part of the Rob Roy Way and makes for a lovely half-day outing.
Killin
Sitting on the boundary of Perthshire on one side and the Highlands’ A84 corridor on the other, Killin is a pretty little village best known for the Falls of Dochart, a dramatic sweep of white water tumbling over ancient rocks right at its centre.
The falls alone are enough to draw visitors year after year; however, you’ll also find great eating places and cosy pubs, including the Falls of Dochart Smokehouse. Killin also makes a brilliant base for walkers and outdoor lovers, with classic Munro days easily accessible on the nearby Ben Lawers range.
Located on the northwestern edge of Perthshire, Killin feels a little off the main tourist track. It’s an easy drive from Kenmore and Aberfeldy, but trips to Comrie or Dunkeld take longer, so it sits a little apart from the more frequently visited Perthshire highlights.
That said, it works perfectly as part of a wider Loch Tay circuit, or as a rewarding short detour from the A84 for anyone heading west toward Glencoe.
Kinross
Kinross sits on the southern edge of Perthshire and makes a fantastic stop if you’re travelling north from Edinburgh towards the A9 corridor. It’s a small town with an enviable setting beside Loch Leven, and despite being close to the motorway, it has a charming little high street lined with old stone buildings that give it a quietly traditional feel.
One of the best reasons to pause here is Unorthodox Coffee Roasters, our favourite spot for excellent, carefully roasted coffee, before continuing north.
While here, you can take a short boat trip out to Loch Leven Castle, famously linked to Mary Queen of Scots, or enjoy the beautiful Loch Leven Heritage Trail, a largely flat, well-maintained circuit around the water that’s ideal for walkers and cyclists.
Whether you’re passing through or spending a few hours exploring, Kinross offers an easy, rewarding introduction to Perthshire.
Kenmore
Kenmore sits at the eastern end of Loch Tay, a charming village perfectly positioned for lochside walks, water activities, and a touch of local history.
Highlights include the Crannog Centre, the Falls of Acharn, Loch Tay Beach, Taymouth Marina and Spa, and the village store, now run by Ballintaggart Farm, which is a lovely stop for local produce, deli items, wine, and other treats.
Kenmore is best accessed from Aberfeldy, via Killin and the A84 from the west, or from Crieff along the scenic Glen Quaich mountain road. Its lochside location makes it an easy place to pause on a wider Perthshire route, whether you’re enjoying a half-day stop or using the village as a base to explore the eastern shores of Loch Tay.
Pitlochry
Pitlochry is one of Perthshire’s largest and most popular towns, known for its Victorian charm, riverside walks, and easy access to the wider landscapes of Highland Perthshire. For me, Pitlochry is a wonderful place to start your time in Perthshire after Dunkeld or Crieff, as it’s close to so much.
From here, you can visit Faskally Forest, Grandtully, Aberfeldy and even the southern edges of the Cairngorms National Park.
My recommendation is to pick accommodation in Pitlochry and use it as either a base or a relaxing weekend retreat. I wouldn’t stay in the town centre, but somewhere on the town’s leafier outskirts.
In terms of amenities, Pitlochry is one of the best-served towns in the region. Alongside excellent hotels, you’ll find a whisky distillery, plenty of restaurants, and everything you need for a well-rounded Perthshire stay.
