Summer travel: Perfect Perthshire
Situated in the heart of Scotland and on a rail line, Pitlochry is easily accessible from most cities and towns, and has something for everyone.
The “Theatre in the Hills”, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is among the area’s top-five attractions, according to Trip Advisor, and its summer 2023 programme has now launched.
Its organisers promise a season of premiers, musicals, revivals and returning productions, including Tennessee Williams’ critically-acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire and an adaption of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.
Another prominent attraction is Blair Athol Distillery. It sits in the south of the town, near the River Tummel and at the foot of the Grampian mountains, where water flowing from the slopes of Ben Vrackie is used to make its single malt whisky.
Visitors to the distillery can discover how whisky is made there and taste samples on a variety of tours.
For lovers of the great outdoors, Pitlochry has walking trails to suit all levels of fitness, with Highland, riverside and woodland options.
Experienced hillwalkers can enjoy the views from the top of the 2,700-foot Ben Vrackie, while easier options include the Loch Faskally forest route and a 4km walk to Queen’s View and its visitor centre, which is about a 20-minute drive north of the town.
Nestled among 48 acres of beautiful private grounds west of Pitlochry town centre, Atholl Palace Hotel is the ideal base for venturing around this breathtaking destination.
This summer, guests have the option of booking four nights for the price of three, with a full Scottish breakfast and three-course dinner available each day.
The offer is available until 30 October, and upgraded rooms are an additional option for a modest amount more.
The Scottish Baronial palace was built in 1874 to house luxurious accommodation, Turkish baths and treatment rooms. The nearby Manor House, erected on a plateau at Corriebruach, was built for the owners three years earlier.
The extensively refurbished hotel has a range of quirky turret suites with cosy double bedrooms and panoramic views across the Tummel Valley.
Inside, the feature rooms offer canopied half-tester and four-poster beds and for groups, there are self-catering one, two and three-bedroom cottages just a leisurely stroll away.
The hotel’s Verandah Restaurant presents an indulgent menu showcasing the best of Scotland’s produce, and its Stag’s Head Bar has extended its outdoor dining area.
To make a booking with the summer offer, athollpalace.com