Best Things To Do in Pitlochry | Castles, Food & Woodland Walks
I was thrilled to return to Pitlochry this past spring, enjoying slow days with my partner over a long weekend. Safe to say, we’ve visited many times; usually for the day and almost always on our drives between Inverness and Edinburgh.
Like many people passing through, we’d never really given ourselves the chance to properly slow down here.
Yet there’s so much to do in Pitlochry, from cosy cafés and woodland walks to whisky tastings, riverside strolls, and elegant stays. Safe to say, combined with the nearby villages and forest walks of Highland Perthshire, there’s more than enough here to comfortably fill an entire long weekend.
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So, after years of simply passing through, we finally decided it was time to properly slow down and spend a few days in the charming Perthshire town.
That said, Pitlochry is compact, and you can definitely see its highlights in a single long day. But having spent longer here, I’m firmly convinced that the town is equally worthy of at least an overnight stay.
These are the best things to see and do in Pitlochry, plus where to stay if you’re planning an overnight getaway.
Quick Guide: The best things to do in Pitlochry
As a disclaimer, this guide to Pitlochry is very much for slow travellers seeking the town’s most authentic places - you won’t find tourist traps or tartan tat here. And we don’t have kids, so this is very much a couple’s or adults’ guide to Pitlochry with a focus on chic hotels, eateries, and things to do.
This is our quick guide for busy travellers who want a snapshot; you’ll find full details below:
Go for a forest hike in nearby Faskally Woods.
Walk the woodland trail to Black Spout Waterfall.
Book a tour and whisky tasting at Blair Athol Distillery.
Plan a delicious brunch at Jessie’s.
Explore the historic town in a loop through its oldest and most picturesque parts.
Explore the area’s history at nearby Blair Athol Castle.
Grab a show (or lunch) at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Book a table for dinner at one of Pitlochry’s best eateries (full list below).
Pick up locally made gifts at boutique shop Flùr.
Take a short drive for lunch at the Grandtully Hotel and treats from Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier.
Go shopping at country hotspot House of Bruar, then visit the nearby Falls of Bruar.
Take a day trip to nearby Dunkeld and The Hermitage.
Where to stay in Pitlochry
Pine Trees Hotel (£££): for a contemporary and stylish stay in the town.
Fonab Castle (£££): for a luxury castle stay within easy walking distance.
Craighmhor Lodge (££): for a cosy stay in the town centre.
The Grandtully Hotel (££): for a stylish, foodie focused, countryside stay.
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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, Comrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy. Plus, this forest-and-foodie getaway.
Travel tip: The best way to explore Scotland is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our car rental in Scotland, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
Best things to do in Pitlochry
Explore the historic town and river
Sprawling along the River Tummel, Pitlochry is a charming little town that’s split into various parts. We recommend exploring on foot, by starting on the High Street and heading towards the Fish Ladder and Dam. This feat of engineering is interesting in itself, but the views over the river and the forest are special.
To see the salmon leap the ladder, visit during spring or summer.
Cross the dam and join the riverside path on the opposite shore. This leads along the banks of the Tummel to the Pitlochry Theatre, then through the charming neighbourhood of Port na Craig with its old stone buildings and historic ferry crossing. From here, cross the intricate suspension bridge and follow the path back into town.
Slightly further out of town, historic Moulin is Pitlochry’s oldest and most picturesque part, with its heritage white cottages dotted around the village square, an ancient church, a standing stone, and a centuries-old inn. It’s well worth the uphill walk to get there, which takes about 20 minutes (though you can also drive; there’s a small car park by the church).
Sample local food & produce
If there’s one thing that defines this region - other than its scenery - it’s food. Pitlochry sits in the heart of a phenomenal foodie scene, where local produce and seasonal ingredients from Perthshire’s natural larder.
For really excellent food, make a reservation for dinner at Port na Craig (classic Scottish dishes) or The Bridge Restaurant (Mediterranean-style bistro). We also rate Fauna (upmarket), a smart restaurant tucked inside The Pine Trees Hotel. For something a little more international, The Wee Choo Choo (Thai cuisine) and Cidsin (modern Indian) are highly rated.
If you’re happy to travel a little further, our favourite restaurants are the nearby Grandtully Hotel (winner of two AA rosettes and a Michelin Key) and The Taybank at nearby Dunkeld. Both are a short 15-minute drive away. And the food at both is stunning; thoughtful, local, fresh, and seasonal with innovative cocktails and a great wine list. Be sure to reserve in advance.
Enjoy the Coffee & Cafe scene
If there’s one thing you’ll find in abundance in Pitlochry, it’s cafes. But not all are created equal… Our absolute favourite is Jessie’s, a modern yet cosy cafe with crowd-pleasing brunches and breakfasts, stuffed sandwiches, bagels, and pancakes, and seriously good Hinba coffee - all served by the roaring logburner.
If you can, make a point of visiting for brunch; it’s genuinely excellent.
Other good daytime eateries include the Garden Cafe and Cafe Calluna, and the light-filled cafe inside Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Catch a show at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
The “artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire”, the Pitlochry Festival Theatre is the place to be in the evening if you’re interested in the arts and theatre. This is Scotland’s only major, rurally located arts organisation, and with Alan Cumming at the helm as Artistic Director, you know there will be top stars and performances, alongside plays and musicals.
In summer, you’ll also find acres of pretty gardens to wander through, with woodlands and seasonal plants (£7 entry).
Check out the ever-changing, always interesting programme at the theatre here.
Whisky tasting at Blair Athol Distillery
Now, if you’ve read our posts before, you know how much we love a whisky distillery - finding top-notch drams, single malts, and whisky cocktails are always on our radar. But we love our distilleries for blending heritage with a contemporary bar and well-stocked shop, plus the opportunity to tour or enjoy a relaxed tasting.
The whisky distillery in Pitlochry ticks every box. Blair Athol Distillery is a stunning, historic building in its own right, and housed inside are stills producing excellent whisky.
If you have time, book a distillery tour (with tastings), or choose a whisky flight at the unique mash tun bar. If you’re new to our national drink, or think it’s not your thing, ask the expert barmen to mix a whisky cocktail (fruity, smoky or sweet).
Woodland Walks at Faskally Woods
If you want to get outside, then pay a visit to Faskally and Loch Dunmore. Only a 5-minute drive from Pitlochry, this pretty woodland was once a model forest, with a rich mix of trees and easy trails. In autumn, the colours are honestly spectacular, while in summer the loch fills with water lilies and the sounds of kingfishers, ducks, and herons.
At the forest entrance, you’ll find parking, information boards, and waymarkers. There are two routes at Faskally (one short, one long), but we recommend the Foresters Trail, which loops around the loch and takes around an hour.
Black Spout Woods & Waterfall
We also love the forest walk to Black Spout Waterfall. In fact, this is one of our favourite easy walks near Pitlochry, in part thanks to its idyllic setting and dramatic - it's what I’d call a medium-length walk, but there are rarely crowds, it’s incredibly pretty, and far quieter than its more famous neighbours like The Hermitage.
There’s a couple of options of trails, including a short one that’ll take around an hour. But, if you have the time, walk the loop past the very charming, whitewashed Edradour Distillery.
Alternative: If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Ben Vrackie is your best option. This mountain is a straightforward though long(ish) hike. It’ll take around five hours there-and-back, and you’ll hiking boots and navigation.
Explore Perthshire's rich history at Blair Castle
If you want to explore the region’s earlier history, visit Blair Castle. Around a 10-minute drive from Pitlochry, this Baronial castle served as the home of the notable Atholl family for over 750 years.
The castle offers a glimpse of the region’s rich past, with over 30 rooms, thoughtfully curated exhibitions, fine interiors, paintings, collections and extensive gardens open to the public.
The castle is open from April to October, and while you can pay at the gate, we recommend booking your ticket online for a small saving. There’s a cafe on-site, guided tours if you want them, heaps of parking, and activities for kids, making it an easy stop on your visit to Pitlochry.
Shop 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. This is absolute heaven for foodies, and you’ll find local produce alongside all manner of treats, including freshly baked breads, pastries, pies, cheeses, hampers, and deli goods from numerous counters.
Falls of Bruar
About a 20-minute walk from the shop, you’ll find the Falls of Bruar.
These pretty, tumbling waterfalls are often overlooked, but the viewpoint from the ancient stone bridge, perched above a deep, tree-lined gorge, is genuinely striking. The 2km out-and-back trail is steep in places with a few sharp drop-offs, so sturdy footwear and a steady pace are essential. Plan for roughly an hour to enjoy it without rushing.
Parking at the House of Bruar is free, and there’s a café onsite, which makes this a very easy addition to any Pitlochry itinerary.
