I'VE BEEN reading Christopher Brookmyre’s novel The Cut recently and about 100 pages in one of the characters suggests a weekend spa visit to Pitlochry. It sounds stupid but when you come from a town of around 3 000 people, it evokes a sense of pride when you hear the name mentioned somewhere, not least in a work by one of the country’s best writers.
The fact it was referenced in the book as being perfect for a weekend getaway sums it up best. Ideal for getting out of the bustling cities and located in the heart of Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry is surrounded by stunning scenery including the much-loved hill Ben Vrackie and so is perfect for hill walkers and cyclists whether casual or serious. There’s also a fantastic golf course where I spent many hours hacking away through the woods in a pointless search for wherever my shot had landed.
If you’re not the outdoorsy type though, don't worry. Whisky fans are in luck as the town is home to two distilleries – Edradour and Blair Athol. There’s also the Heathergems factory, where you can find handcrafted jewellery made from natural heather stems. A few years ago, the Dam Visitor Centre introduced a new museum which shows various exhibitions and is accompanied by a café where you can look out over the water.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre has a range of shows on across the summer as well as hosting the Winter Words festival which includes talks from a variety of different speakers.
There’s plenty of accommodation in the area ranging from youth hostels to 5-star castles depending on your budget. In terms of transport, Pitlochry is easily accessible by train as it sits on the London line. Once you’re here though, it’ll be easier if you have your car as some of the surrounding beauty spots such as Killiecrankie Gorge and Queen’s View are slightly easier to access that way.
So no matter where you’re coming from, what you’re interested in or how long you’re looking to stay, Pitlochry really does have something on offer for everyone.
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