A Taste of the Scottish Highlands on Foot

Arrive in the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry set amongst gorgeous Highland scenery on the banks of the River Tummel. Pitlochry is just a 2 hour train journey from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Explore the town with its shops, pubs and cafes, walk down to the fish ladder by the dam or take in a play at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Accommodation: Three nights in a comfortable boutique guesthouse just a short walk away from the town centre.

Hiking from your door, wander through Pitlochry up the hill to Moulin, perhaps pausing for refreshment at the Moulin Inn where they have their own microbrewery. Follow the Ben Vrackie trail as it ascends gently into the uplands. You can choose to end your hike at the lochan below the summit, or make the final steep push to the top and enjoy the spectacular views of the Perthshire hills and beyond. Ben Vrackie is a Corbett (a Scottish summit between 2500 and 3000ft) and the summit altitude is 841m (2759ft). If you would prefer a more gentle hike, we suggest a low level walk around the town and the River Tummel valley taking in some of the sights, including the Blair Atholl distillery. Return to enjoy a well-deserved drink and dinner.

A private morning transfer (included – 20 mins) will see you arrive in the pretty town of Aberfeldy (30 mins). Aberfeldy is a lively town with a wonderful bookshop and the historic “Birks of Aberfeldy”, the woodland scene of a poem by Robbie Burns. Join the Rob Roy way to hike back to Pitlochry. This section is the final part of the Rob Roy Way and follows the River Tay eastwards from Aberfeldy to the attractive village of Grandtully where there is a chocolate shop, "The Highland Chocolatier" and a wonderful pub, the Inn on the Tay. A final climb then leads up over the moors before a forested descent leads to journey's end at the town of Pitlochry. Stop for lunch at the Inn on the Tay in Grandtully and enjoy the riverside views. Alternatively, take the low-cost local bus back from Grandtully to Pitlochry for an easier day and to let lunch digest.

Today you have the option to walk on to Blair Atholl via the famous Soldier's Leap at Killiecrankie or take one of the low-cost frequent local buses (or a train). This attractive and fairly straightforward walk leaves Pitlochry by Loch Faskally and follows the route of the River Garry upstream to the Highland village of Blair Atholl. Walk via Soldier’s Leap, famous for the 1689 Battle of Killiecrankie where an English solder made a leap of escape across the 18ft gorge of the river. Arrive in Blair Atholl, a small village with a rich Highland flavour with the River Garry running through it. Accommodation: Two nights in former shooting lodge with spacious, comfortable rooms and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Just a short distance from the train station and Blair Castle, it’s ideally located.

Take a stroll through the enchanting gardens and grounds of Blair Castle, set amidst the forested valleys of Perthshire. The ancestral seat of Clan Murray and the Dukes of Atholl, this 13th-century castle is also home to Europe’s only remaining private army, now purely ceremonial. With its striking white exterior, the castle dominates the landscape, and inside you will find thirty rooms filled with treasures and stories from across the centuries. After exploring the interiors, wander the magnificent grounds, including Diana’s Grove with its towering trees and the beautifully restored Hercules Garden. For the afternoon, visit the Atholl Country Life Museum, packed with fascinating artefacts of rural Perthshire life, or head to Wasted Degrees Brewing Company to sample their locally crafted beers. Toast the end of your trip hiking in the Scottish Highlands!

Tour arrangements end after breakfast. Blair Atholl is on the main trainline to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness facilitating onward travel to your next Scottish adventure. Should you wish to extend your stay, our team would be delighted to arrange additional nights for you - please ask when you book.