Updated April 9th, 2020 

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Autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Scotland. If you are planning to visit Pitlochry during the fall you are in for a real treat! The town of Pitlochry in Scotland’s Perthshire county is the perfect place to see fall colors. Perthshire, in the southern Scottish highlands comes alive with vibrant red, yellow and orange leaves during the fall.

While Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire is a great destination year-round, if you are looking for the best places to go in fall in Scotland it is a must to visit! Continue reading to find out the best things to do in Pitlochry regardless of the time of year you visit.

What to Do in Pitlochry

Wander the Streets of Pitlochry

Pitlochry is the perfect place to stay within the Perthshire region. While there are a lot of things to do in Pitlochry, the town is also a great base to explore the rest of highland Perthshire if you have more time in the area. 

Pitlochry is a charming little town with a main street full of small stores and cafes. We started our day by going on a little walk around the Pitlochry town centre. As much as I love big cities, I appreciate visiting quaint small towns and being able to wander around without worrying about getting lost. 

Do the Circular Walk Around Pitlochry

Pitlochry is known for being a walker and hiker’s paradise. After exploring the town centre a bit we headed out on one of the most popular short walks, a circular walk that begins from the main street then continues across the River Tummel.

It then heads to the dam on Loch Faskally with a view of the salmon ladder and Hydro Station. The fish ladder allows salmon to safely pass by the dam. There are viewing windows where you can see the salmon swimming past. Within the dam visitor center you can learn about the hydro electricity that powers the dam. 

The walk ends after crossing a footbridge back into Pitlochry.

Hike in the Beautiful Perthshire Countryside

In the afternoon we did a slightly longer hike in the countryside, the Black Spout Waterfall hike. Considering we had a train to catch later in the evening we tried to follow our chosen path faithfully. The trail signs seemed to lead us astray. When we were trying to head back we ended up going in the opposite direction of town next to a field of sheep. Regardless it was a gorgeous fall day with temperatures in the 60s. The sun was shining and beautiful scenery surrounded us.

There was a wonderful little viewing platform that got us close to the Black Spout Waterfall in the middle of all the trees. 

Here is some more information and maps on the different walks and hikes in the Pitlochry region.

Visit a Museum

The Atholl Palace Museum, located in the hotel’s basement is the town’s history museum. It gives you a glimpse into the lives of guests and workers 140 years ago at the hotel.

Tour a Distillery

What’s a visit to Scotland without trying one of the products Scotland is most known for? Whiskey of course! Blair Athol Distillery & Visitor Centre and Edradour Distillery  both offer distillery tours and tastings. The Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. The Edradour Distillery is located in the picturesque countryside and is known to be one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland!

Attend the Theater

Despite the small population of Pitlochry, the Pitlochry Festival Theater, known as the “theater in the hills” is one of the best theaters in the country. The professional theater puts on plays and events year-round.

Be Mesmerized by the Enchanted Forest

If you are visiting Pitlochry during the fall make sure to buy a ticket to the Enchanted Forest. Faskally Forest, a wooded park outside of Pitlochry, is turned into a spectacular light and sound experience. As you walk the paths of the woods at your own pace you will be treated to a choreographed show.

With the beautiful scenery and so many things to do in Pitlochry, you should definitely add this picturesque town in Perthshire to your Scotland itinerary!

Pitlochry Visiting Information

Where is Pitlochry

Pitlochry is in the Perthshire county of the highlands of Scotland.

How to Get to Pitlochry

The easiest way is by train from any city with a train station. We came from Kyle of Lochalsh the day before and went back to Edinburgh in the evening.

Within Pitlochry we walked to our hotel and to everywhere else we went.

If you have time before your train comes in Pitlochry, browse the train station book shop. Books only cost a pound or two!

Toilets in Pitlochry

Paid toilets are in the city center. Only a couple minutes away are free toilets at the train station. The dam visitor center has really nice, clean and free toilets. It is a little further out from the city, but a perfect stop when completing the circular walk on the outskirts of town.

Here is a link to more information about public toilets in Pitlochry.

Where to Stay in Pitlochry

In Pitlochry I recommend The Well House, a very charming guesthouse close to everything in Pitlochry and with a large continental breakfast included.

More About Scotland

• One Week Scotland Itinerary 
• The Best Edinburgh Walking Tours 
• Visiting Edinburgh Castle 
• How to Get to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh
• What to See on the Isle of Skye in a Day
• Where to Go & What to See in the Scottish Highlands
• What to Eat in Scotland

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