Some links to useful websites
What's On In Highland Perthshire
What's On around the area
Useful for finding out in advance what is on during your stay in Highland Perthshire.
More things to do
Good ideas for things to do.
Rannoch Highland Gathering
Always held on the third Saturday in August (In 2010 it is 21st August) in the Games Field at Kinloch Rannoch, this typical local highland games, the genuine article, is not specially laid on for tourists. It includes tossing the caber, highland dancing, hill race (anyone over 15 can enter the latter but you need to be fit!) Also races for children, sales of cakes and plants etc in aid of local charities, barbeque, tea tent... Come and join the fun.
Perthshire Tourist Board Website
Here you can find an up-to-date list of events happening in Highland Perthshire. Click on Eventful Perthshire then fill in dates that interest you and highlight Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire then click Search.
Enchanted Forest
Perthshire Big Tree Country's award winning The Enchanted Forest sound and light show is a feast for your senses. The event takes place at the Explorer Garden by Pitlochry Festival Theatre in October 2011.
Blair Castle International Horse Trials
August 2011. An important international 4 day event horse trials with a country fair and shopping village. Great fun for all the family.
Aberfeldy Watermill Bookshop and Cafe UK Independent Bookshop of the Year
Bookshop / Art Gallery / Cafe / Design-led Homeware
Cancellation Insurance
Cancellation Insurance
Schofields Ltd. UK where you can take out cancellation insurance.
Travel & Transport
Buses between Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch Station
Bus timetables for Kinloch Rannoch to Rannoch Station (West Highland Line)
National Rail Enquiries
Where to find rail information including timetables. The nearest station is Pitlochry 35 minutes by car, or Rannoch Station, 45 minutes, fewer trains than Pitlochry. You will need to order a taxi from the station in advance: 01882 632 331.
Bus timetables Kinloch Rannoch to Pitlochry
Timetable for buses
Bus from Kinloch Rannoch to Aberfeldy
This bus runs on school days only.
Pitlochry Car Hire
If you are coming by train, you can hire a car in Pitlochry from this company.
Food Shopping
Highland Perthshire Farmers' Market etc
Nearest farmers' market and info about stallholders and their produce and crafts from Highland Perthshire
Macdonald Brothers Butchers, Pitlochry
Wonderful, traditional butchers in Pitlochry. Order in advance and collect on your way through Pitlochry.
The Country Store, Kinloch Rannoch
The village general store with helpful, friendly owners. You can order groceries, papers etc for your arrival. You can also buy local delicacies made by Rannoch Smokery here.
Food for Thought, Pitlochry
Excellent deli in the main street in Pitlochry. They also have another shop in Dunkeld high street.
Dunkeld Smoked Salmon
The specialist salmon smokers.
Activities
GOLF
Useful information about golf and golf courses in the area. The nearest to Dunalastair would be Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Strathtay, Dunkeld, Taymouth Castle, Kenmore. All are a half to three-quarters of an hour away by car through stunning scenery.
Highland Adventure Safaris
This award winning safari company has activities for all ages and we highly recommend them for wildlife watching, gold panning for kids, cafe, celebrations with a difference in the hills etc.
Horseriding - Blair Atholl Pony Trekking
A good place for pony trekking. The Centre is approved by the Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland (TRSS), and all the staff are qualified, friendly and familiar with Atholl Estates. The Trekking Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday during April – June (Mondays are the ponies rest day in spring) and Sunday – Friday during July – September (Saturdays are the ponies rest day in summer).
Horseriding - Taymouth Stables, Kenmore
Mains of Taymouth trekking and learning centre is situated in the heart of Scotland with some of the most spectacular views and scenery. 07809 659 577
Perthshire Walks - maps and descriptions
Useful resource for finding walks, includes maps.
Distillery in Pitlochry
Visit a distillery and learn the art of whisky production.
Escape Route
Based in Pitlochry - Everything to do with cycling including bike hire.
Cycle Hire in Highland Perthshire
Information on cycle hire in the area.
Fishing shop - Quayles of Pitlochry
Excellent fishing shop in Pitlochry. Opposite Tourist Information.
Fishing in Perthshire
Useful information about fishing.
FishPal website
Useful site for fishing information for the Tay area
Trout & Salmon Fishing in Scotland
Trout, salmon and sea trout fishing in Scotland featuring maps, tackle, tactics, flies, articles, knots, books and recipes.
Splash White Water Rafting trips
Water sports based in Aberfeldy
Adventure Outdoors Dunolly Centre
Various outdoor activities based in Aberfeldy
Nae Limits
White water rafting and other exciting outdoor sports, based at Ballinluig.
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, the world's highest hedge, the sole survivor from Shakespeare's 'Birnam Wood' ... and it doesn’t stop there.
Pocket Walks booklets
Useful booklets of walks in the area.
Perth Racecourse
Excellent country racecourse - a great day out.
Some Gardens to Visit
Cluny House Gardens, Strathtay
A lovely Himalayan garden - highly recommended.
Gardens in Perthshire
Tells you about the great variety of fascinating and diverse gardens to visit in the area.
Jack Drakes Alpines
Wonderful garden and nursery near Aviemore with interesting alpines
Local History
A local clan to the area: Clan Donnachaidh
An important local clan to this area which includes the names Robertson, Duncan, Reid and others. Chieftains buried on Dunalastair Estate. The Clan society is organising various events including a Gathering to co-incide with Homecoming events. See their website for details.
Crannog Centre - Iron age loch-dwelling
Absolutely fascinating reconstruction of an iron age loch dwelling. Interpretation area and guided tours. Well worth a visit. Special Halloween event: Sunday 31 October – Spooks & Sacrifice Celtic Samhain Festival Come dressed in costume and help us celebrate this ancient Celtic Halloween. Bring a lantern; join our torch lit procession through loch-side woods; watch our wicker ram burn in ceremonial sacrifice and enjoy music & storytelling, fire-shows, soup, apple-dookin’ and more. Booking essential. 6 – 8pm, Adults £6.50 Children (age 4-16) £4.00
Rannoch History after 1745
Hitory of Rannoch following the 1745 Jacobite Uprising
Scots Ancestry Research Society
The oldest established organisation tracing family history in Scotland.
Suggestions of where to eat out
Dunalastair Hotel
Loch Tummel Inn
This Inn has very friendly and welcoming owners. We have had good bar meals there.
East Haugh Hotel
SCOTTISH HOTEL AWARDS 2009 "Scottish Fishing Hotel of the Year 2009" An award-winning hotel just south of Pitlochry with very good food and atmosphere.
Fortingall Hotel
This hotel is about 25 minutes from Kinloch Rannoch and the food and ambiance is excellent. Need to book on 01887 830367.
Bunrannoch House
A privately-owned guesthouse/hotel close to Kinloch Rannoch with a restaurant open to non-residents. See sample menu on their website.
Moulin Inn, just up from Pitlochry
This characterful Inn with fascinating history is just outside Pitlochry on the Kirkmichael road. It brews its own beer and you can get a good lunch or dinner here.
Killiecrankie Hotel
A hotel just north of Pitlochry with a fine reputation for food. Booking advised.
Green Things
Centre for Alternative Technology
Centre for alternative technology in Wales
Other Holiday Cottages
About Scotland
Other interesting cottages
Another cottage on Dunalastair - sleeps 10.
A cottage belonging to a member of the family but let separately. Sleeps up to 10. Fairly remote. Well equipped and furnished and situated in beautiful surroundings with great views. Contact Fiona on 0131 332 1505 or email her at bravedes@dircon.co.uk
Association of Scottish Self-Caterers website
A selection of cottages in Scotland.
Holiday Lettings - Cottages in Perth and Kinross to rent
Alastair Sawdays
Our entry on Alastair's website, Special Escapes
Owners Direct apartment rentals
