Scotland

Pitlochry was one of the first places in Scotland to be of interest to tourists. This was due mainly to the fact that Queen Victoria travelled to Balmoral via the newly opened railway station there. Over the years Pitlochry has lost some of it’s importance but, due to the fact that there are so many places worth visiting close to the town, Pitlochry is still an incredibly popular vacation destination. In the article below we take a quick look at three popular visitor attractions, Blair Castle (which is about 7 miles away), the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre (which is about 4 miles away) and the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre which is only about one mile away from Pitlochry.

Blair Castle

Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The castle was also the first private homes in Scotland, to open to the public. The building of Blair Castle was started by John I Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, in 1269. He was a neighbor of the Earl of Atholl, and started building on his land while he was away on crusade. When the Earl returned, he won back his land, and incorporated the tower that had been built into his own Castle. The castle was extended over the years, and in 1740, the 2nd Duke had the Castle remodeled as a Georgian mansion, though his work was interrupted by the 1745 Jacobite rebellion.

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre

The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre is located in a wooded gorge, which was once much admired by Queen Victoria. The centre tells the story of the famous battle that took place in Killiecrankie in 1689. On 27 July 1689, the Pass of Killiecrankie echoed with the sound of battle cries, when a Jacobite army defeated the government forces. The area around the centre is very tranquil, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of it’s fine oak and deciduous woodland. Visitors to the centre can now watch birds nesting, via a remote camera in the woodlands.

Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre, Dam and Fish Pass

The Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Center is situated within picturesque Pitlochry Power Station. The Visitor Centre contains interactive exhibits tracing the history of hydro generation in Scotland, from it’s origins in the 1940’s to it’s current £250m refurbishment programme. The Pitlochry Dam is home to the famous Salmon Ladder, where the salmon can be seen via a viewing chamber as they ascend past the damn. In the Visitor Center, all is explained, as to why the salamon make the journey from their birthplace in the Highland rivers, out to sea, and back again. From the Visitor Center one can also view the turbine hall of Pitlochry Hydro-Electric Power Station.

Below is a selection of web sites offering accommodation in Pitlochry;

Pitlochry Hotel Scotland – http://www.pitlochryhotelscotland.com/

Pitlochry Hotel Guide – http://www.virtualscotland.co.uk/accommodation/pitlochryhotels.htm

Pitlochry Hotels & Accommodation – http://pitlochry.hotelreservationhelper.com/