The Alluring Lochs of the Highlands

After making the short drive up along the River Dee, park your car and prepare to walk down to the Linn of Dee, downstream of the bridge.

Discover the Linn of Dee, a small gorge just downstream of the bridge, where the river has carved out amazing swirling pools out of the rock. It’s easy to see why this picturesque scene was one of Queen Victoria's favourite places to visit.

As you traverse the desolate terrain of Glenshee, stop at this viewpoint to fully appreciate the barren beauty of this isolated mountain pass.

Enter the small but popular Victorian town of Pitlochry, sited at one of the entrances to the Scottish Highlands, and pause your journey to visit the Blair Athol Distillery.
At the distillery, you’ll discover how the sweet waters of the Allt Dour Burn are transformed into a whisky that forms part of the world-famous Bell’s blended whisky. This historic distillery, which was established in 1798, will charm you with its mellow and deep spirit.
The distillery offers three types of tours, with times that vary. Check their booking website to see which tour is being offered at 11:00 a.m., and book ahead of schedule. If, as occasionally happens, there is no tour at 11:00 a.m., you can still visit the well-appointed distillery shop to purchase an exclusive souvenir bottle of this amber delight.
Tour Booking
Opening Hours: October – April: Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May – September: Daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

A trip to the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre will help you appreciate Scotland's long history of harnessing nature and developing renewable sources of energy.
Learn how the dam was built in 1950 and discover the story of its fish ladder, which allows the native salmon to reach their breeding grounds further upstream beyond the dam.
Leave your car at the visitor centre car park and prepare to make the short walk over the river.
Opening Hours: April – October Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday: Closed
November – March Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Tuesday: Closed

After walking along the dam, navigate the famous Pitlochry Fish Ladder and trace the epic journey that the salmon of the River Tummel take.

Take a well deserved rest at Port-Na-Craig and enjoy its stunning riverside location as you have your lunch.
The simple but tasty lunch menu will be sure to delight. You can even choose a salmon dish, although hopefully it’s not one of the fishes you may have spotted earlier on the ladder!
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – Late Evening Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact for Table Booking

Return to your car and prepare to carry on your journey into the stunning scenery of Perthshire.

Visit the narrow gorge of Killiecrankie and discover the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Jacobite Rebellions, learning how this woodland paradise became a hell on earth for hundreds of Redcoat soldiers.
The centre expertly describes how the Highland soldiers, who supported the Jacobite cause, surprised the government troops in 1689 and routed them within 10 minutes.
After studying this fierce battle, take time to walk down to the River Garry and take in the trails that follow the course of the water, taking in the resplendent foliage of the dense forest.
Daily Visitor Centre and Café Opening Hours: April – October: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. November – March: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Site open all year round.

Named after Isabella of Mar, the first wife of Robert Bruce, this viewpoint will simply take your breath away as you stare down the narrow, awe-inspiring Loch Tummel. Definitely a view fit for a queen!

Take a moment to appreciate the splendour of Kinloch Rannoch, which stretches all the way towards Rannoch Moor.

Park your car before getting ready to visit the fictional Craigh na Dun.
Note that there is space for a couple of cars just off the main country road, at the gate.

Whether you are a fan of the ever-popular Outlander TV series (which every lover of Scotland's scenery should be!) or whether you simply enjoy stunning alpine vistas, you’ll find this hilltop location perfect. Take the five-minute walk up the gravel road and then ascend the hilltop crowned with a small copse of trees. From this viewpoint, you’ll receive breathtaking views of Dunalastair Water and Loch Rannoch beyond that, as well as the mystical Schiehallion mountain peak to the south, which is synonymous with Scotland's mythical fairies. Fans of Outlander will immediately recognise this hilltop as the location for the fictional time-travelling stone circle of Craig na Dun. Although there is no stone circle in situ, these only being filming props, you will still be able to appreciate this iconic site.

Go back to your car and prepare to restart your journey.

Take a moment to discover the Fortingall Yew, a truly historic tree growing in the churchyard of Fortingall Parish Church.
This ancient yew tree is among Britain's oldest trees, if not the oldest, being an estimated 2000 to 3000 years old. The tree may have received a lot of damage over the years, especially from souvenir hunters, but it’s still an impressive prehistoric remnant.

Enjoy the view of Loch Tay from this perfect shoreside vantage point, where you can trace the 14 miles of this ribbon-shaped body of water. Scotland's sixth-largest loch, with the imposing Ben Lawers looming over its north shore, will take your breath away.

Round off your Highland sojourn with a stop at Scotland's only restaurant to receive two Michelin stars – Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles. This restaurant, situated within the clubhouse of this world-famous golf course, boasts the very best of Scotland's cuisine and is the perfect way to round off your trip.
This opulent, exclusive restaurant is open to dinner guests from Monday to Saturday, from 6:00 p.m. onwards, and reservations should be made as far in advance as possible.
Book a table online

Return to Scotland's centre of power, Edinburgh, as you reflect on your time in the wild, untamed lands of the Highlands, an area so often outside the control of the capital city.