Places to Visit

Kinloch Rannoch
Beautiful Rannoch glen, a paradise for walkers, with amazing views of Schiehallion and the Glencoe hills in the west.  Walk in the ancient Black Wood on the south side of Loch Rannoch with marked trails

Take the train from beautiful and remote Rannoch Station on the west Highland Line and visit Fort William, Mallaig or Glasgow.  The train travels through some of the best scenic areas in the world, starting with the bleak and spectacular Rannoch Moor. You buy the tickets on the train as no ticket office at the station.  See timetable in Getting About.   Recommended :  The Fish Market Restaurant at Mallaig if you like delicious fish.  Book ahead 01687 462 299.

Follow the Clan Trail around Loch Rannoch, which tells of the local clans and the great deeds of courage and horror that took place here.  Leaflet in village shop.

Loch Rannoch is a spectacular loch over 10 miles in length and is home to pike, brown trout and arctic char.  Get a fishing permit at shop or hotels.

Rannoch Smokery - this family business produces award winning smoked venison and other products, which are available from the local shop.  (The Smokery itself is not open to the public)

Perthshire - Big Tree Country - Perthshire has some of the most remarkable trees, woodlands and country gardens in Europe and is stunning at any time of year. Just a short trip from Dunalastair can take you to Europe's oldest tree at Fortingall, the world's highest hedge at Meikleour, the sole survivor from Shakespeare's 'Birnam Wood' ... and it doesn’t stop there.

Bruar
Clan Donnachaidh Museum - history of the local Robertson clan.  Falls of Bruar - wooded walk past waterfall and stone footbridge.  House of Bruar.

Blair Atholl
Village - visit two folk museums, working water wheel or hire a mountain bike.

Blair Castle - Dating from 1269, the castle has been the home of the Atholl family for over 700 years.  You can walk through 30 fully furnished rooms of infinite variety.  Outside the skirl of the pipes can be heard most days during the season.  Interesting and attractive grounds and walled garden to walk in.

Killiecrankie
National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre - beautiful wooded gorge near site of Battle of Killiecrankie 1689.

Pitlochry
Plenty of shops and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, 'The Theatre in the Hills', is only 30 minutes from Kinloch Rannoch. For further information, contact the Box Office at 01796 484626 or boxoffice@pitlochry.org.uk. Some excellent productions.

Bells Blair Atholl distillery -  Visitors Centre - this is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.

Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry - the smallest distillery in Scotland, offering free tours.

Scottish Plant Collectors Garden - next to the Theatre

Hydro-Electric Visitor Centre and Fish Ladder - visit Pitlochry dam and watch the salmon pass through the fish pass.

Dunkeld
Dunkeld Cathedral - ancient building in picturesque setting of beautiful old town by the river.  Some of the small houses here are owned by the National Trust of Scotland. Some interesting small shops and a gallery or two.  Well worth a visit. Clay shooting with high quality instruction, 4 x 4 Driving, etc. at Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel - Activity Centre.  Several places for having a good lunch.

Queen's View
Forestry Commission's Queen's View Centre - this is possibly the most famous view in Scotland.  Visit the exhibition audiovisual display.  Good tea room.  Yummy cakes!

Around Aberfeldy
The Watermill - "In May 2006 we won the award for Scottish Independent Bookshop of the year. This award was based on stock range, customer service and events programme. Our stock range of books is the largest in the rural Highlands."  Good coffee shop. Recommended.

Castle Menzies (pronounced ‘mingies’) - 16th century castle restored by the Menzies Clan Society.  Seat of the clan Menzies for 400 years - Interesting

The House of Menzies - very attractive converted building on the adjacent farm, stocks 100 fine new world wines, contemporary Scottish art and comfortable cafe with open fire. - well worth a visit

Cluny House Gardens - is a wonderful 6-acre Himalayan woodland garden situated on a hillside overlooking the scenic Strathtay valley.  There are often interesting plants for sale - best in April/May/June

Bolfracks Gardens – on the Aberfeldy to Kenmore road.  Beautiful garden on a hillside.  Open all year - recommended

Dewars World of Whisky, Aberfeldy - visit the visitor centre - recommended

Kenmore
Scottish Crannog Centre - situated on the shores of Loch Tay, the Crannog Centre's exhibition takes you back 2,500 years to the time of the Crannog dwellers.  Travel back in time for a truly fascinating glimpse of Iron Age loch life and ancient crafts.  Strongly recommended and children welcomed.

Glen Lyon
One of Scotland's longest enclosed glens and one of the most beautiful.  High hills, lovely river and peaceful walks.

To the North
Through the mountains, heading into Inverness-shire, there is Newtonmore, Kingussie, Carrbridge (the Landmark Centre - excellent for children), Grantown on Spey and Boat of Garten , Inverness. To the south and east there is Crieff, Rosemount and the famous Gleneagles Hotel.   St Andrews, the home of golf, is an hour and a half's drive away to the south east in Fife.

The Jacobite "The World's Greatest Railway Journey" - In summer this steam train runs from Fort William to Mallaig and back from May 14th until 26th October daily.  You could catch the early train from Rannoch Station to Fort William but it might be safer to drive to be sure to get there on time.  Allow about 1 3/4+ hours to drive to Fort William.  Train leaves FW at 10.20.