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Welcome to this Web Site, commissioned by Blair Atholl
Area Tourism Association, a community based group
dedicated to improving local tourist facilities in
this historic and scenic area of Highland Perthshire
and providing you with contact details for all Accommodation
Providers in the area as well as full information
on local Tourism Services, Events and Facilities
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ACTIVITIES
There is more to keep you occupied while holidaying in
the Blair Atholl area than you might imagine. Here
are some ideas.
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Bowling
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Blair Atholl Bowling Club offers a season
of bowling commencing at the end of April.
* To arrange to play telephone 01796 481469 or 01796 481497
* Fees £2.00 per day or £10.00 for weekly tickets
* Visitors welcome |
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Curling
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Blair Atholl boasts an active and successful curling
club. This mainly indoor sport takes place between
October and March when clubs challenge each other
with their curling skills. Two of the local club members
reached the international competition in Salt Lake
City in March 2001.
For further information, contact the secretary, Elizabeth Reid, at 01796 481583. |
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Deer Stalking
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Atholl has long been known for the
quality of its red stag stalking,
but stalking for hinds, is also available. Ponies
are used in the traditional manner to retrieve deer
from the hills whenever possible. All stalking guests
are accompanied by a professional stalker.
There are five sporting beats available on the Estate,
providing a mixture of sporting opportunities to suit
all tastes. Bookings can be arranged either for larger
parties on a weekly basis, together with self-catering
lodge accommodation, or on a daily basis subject to
availability.
The beats are as follows :
Forest Lodge
Red deer stalking, grouse shooting and fishing.
West Hand
Red deer stalking and grouse shooting.
Glen Bruar
Red deer stalking, grouse shooting and fishing
Clunes
Red deer stalking.
Dalnamein
Red hind stalking
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Visit www.athollestatessport.co.uk for further information. |
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Atholl Estates Tractor Tours
- for further information click here |
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Down on the Farm
Experience the works of Blair Castle’s Home
Farm on a trailer ride tour, pulled by a farm tractor.
Fun for all the family, the tour will take in the
managed landscape and farm buildings surrounding Blair
Castle. Children receive an activity pack with crayons,
and can have a sit on the tractor after the tour.
Adults receive an introductory offer on Atholl Glens
Organic Meat
For more information click on this Web Link to Atholl
Estates Tractor Tours.
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Fishing- for further information click here
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A wide variety of sensibly priced fishing is available
in and around Blair Atholl, all in wonderfully scenic
and peaceful surroundings. Whether you are keen on
salmon, trout or course fishing there should be water
available, at a cost you can afford.
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Atholl Estates - Wildlife & Landscape
Tours
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for further information click here |
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'Out on the Hill with an Atholl Estates Gamekeeper
Take a Dawn or Dusk Land Rover Tour into
the hills with one of the Estates experienced game-keepers
and see the stunning landscape bathed in morning light
and mist. Listen to the sounds of the dawn chorus
and have the opportunity to see wildlife including
black grouse, red deer, birds of prey and red squirrels
in their natural habitats. For full details of dates,
times and cost please click on the Link to:- Wildlife
Tours.
LANDSCAPE TOURS
Join a Landscape Tour by Land Rover with a ranger
deep into the glens, not normally accessed by the
casual hill walker, or, book your
own Private Landscape Tour for up to six people to
the glens or to Loch Ordie. For full details pleas
click on the link to :- Landscape
Tours.
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Golf
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Blair Atholl is the ideal base for a golfing
trip in the Highlands. Within easy reach we have some
of the most scenic courses in Scotland.
* Blair Atholl - The village boasts
a pleasant (and flat) 9 hole course, bounded on two
sides by the rivers Garry and Tilt with stunning views
of the mountains to the north. Tel. 01796 481407 - For further information go to
the course website at :- www.blairathollgolfclub.co.uk
* Pitlochry - Only 10 minutes to
the south this is one of the most scenic courses in
Scotland. It sits high above the town and has spectacular
views south down the Tay valley.
Tel. 01796 472792
* Dunkeld - 20 minutes drive south.
Recently upgraded from 9 to 18 holes the wooded panoramas
of this course are second to none.
Tel. 01350 727524
* Aberfeldy - 30 minutes drive to
the west. 18 flat, riverside holes.
Tel 01887 820535
* Taymouth Castle - Lying at the
head of Loch Tay this course is set in policy woodlands.
Tel 01887 830228
* Killin - Situated at the west end
of loch Tay a stunning but steep 9 holes.
Tel 01567 820312
To the north through the mountains, heading into
Inverness-shire, we have Newtonmore,
Kingussie, Grantown on Spey
and Boat of Garten all within the
hour. To the south and east we have Crieff,
Rosemount and the famous Gleneagles.
Even St Andrews, the home
of golf, is just over an hours drive away.
Without question, Blair Atholl, with
its scenic and tranquil atmosphere, is the ideal center
for a tour of some of Scotland's finest golf courses. |
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Hill Walking- for further information click here
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One of Atholl's greatest assets is
its huge selection of hill walks. The hills are rugged
and remote and give superb views over the wild tracts
of land that make up Atholl and the Cairngorms.
Most of the hill walks in this area involve long
days out in remote countryside. The climbs are not
arduous, but distances are long. These walks may be
best on long, summer days when there is plenty of
time available. See below for restrictions
during deer stalking. |
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Low-Level Walking
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Atholl Estates
Atholl Estates offers six waymarked trails starting
from Glen Tilt car park in Blair Atholl. A booklet
is available from Atholl Estates Information Centre,
Blair Castle Caravan Park or Pitlochry Tourist Information
Centre.
Grounds Walk - 1.75 miles
Banvie Burn Walk - 2.5 miles
Wooded Trail - 3.75 miles
Farm and Forest Trail - 4.25 miles
Glen Banvie Trail - 9 miles
Glen Tilt Trail - 10 miles
Falls of Bruar
Falls of Bruar - A one and a half mile circular woodland
walk to view a series of waterfalls. Particularly
stunning in the autumn. Start from the House of Bruar
car park.
Pass of Killiecrankie
Pass of Killiecrankie - Owned by the National Trust
for Scotland, this is a one-mile woodland walk in
the steep, wooded gorge of the River Garry. Find out
more from the National Trust Visitor Centre.
Struan
Riverside Walks at Struan - Struan is five miles north
of Blair Atholl. Walk downstream to Struan Kirk or
upstream through the woods. Both walks have excellent
views of the turbulent River Garry, which is very
dramatic after heavy rain.
DEER STALKING - Hill Phones for Walkers
Deer stalking is important both to bring
revenue to the local area and to keep the deer population
under control. If the deer population becomes too
high, the herd becomes less healthy and the moorland
or grassland where they graze gets degraded.
Red deer stalking takes place between 1st July and
15th February (stag stalking 1st July – 20th
October and hind stalking from 21st October to 15th
February). The most important period is from 12th
August to 20th October. During this shorter period
hillwalkers are asked to plan their route so as to
cause minimum disturbance to the stalking. Our local
Hillphone is run by the Atholl Estates Ranger Service,
and provides daily information on deer stalking throughout
this period.
Atholl Estates Hillphone – 01796 481740. Updated
daily at 8 am from 12th August to 20th October.
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Off Road Driving
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The thrill of testing your skill and nerve in difficult
conditions is available within an hour's drive from
us.
* Perthshire Off-Road Centre -
Close to Perth, this centre offers a variety of activities but you must pre-book. Open all year. 4x4 off-road, quad bikes, ATV's, and rally carts.
Tel : 01738 633823.
* The Scottish Off-Road Centre -
A bit further afield near to Strathmiglo in Fife. Open 9 am - 7 pm. Testing course with obstacles. Drive your own 4x4 or the course Landrover. -
Tel : 01337 860528.
* Dunkeld Park, Highland Off-Road -
Offers a variety of packages. 1 hour lessons with up to 4 sharing. Half to full day courses. Bring your own 4x4 or use the company's Discovery or Defender. Quad treks also available. Open all year. -
Tel : 01350 728370.
* Highland Adventure Safaris -
Based in Aberfeldy, Scotland’s Award Winning Safari business also offers Adventure Trailing in a rugged 4x4 Land Rover. Set in some of Perthshire’s most stunning scenery you can drive through forest track’s, mountain burns and heather slopes. All levels of ability catered for, it’s exciting and adventurous. -
Tel/Fax: 01887 820071.
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Pony Trekking - Blair Castle
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The Trekking Centre beyond Blair
Castle offers pony trekking on sure-footed
highland ponies through the picturesque woods and
glens of Atholl. All treks are supervised
and escorted by qualified, friendly ride leaders and
last one or two hours. All abilities can attempt this
activity, but children must be 12 years old or over.
Trekking is available every day, except Mondays,
from April until 30th. June
and every day, except Saturdays, from 1st
July to the end of August.
Special photography, nature and picnic treks are also
available.
For further information, telephone 01796 481568 or
fax 01796 481211 or visit the website - Blair
Castle Trekking.
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Skiing
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Blair Atholl is well placed if you wish to enjoy skiing
or snowboarding as part of your holiday. Three of
Scotland's major ski centres are within about an hour's
drive.
Glenshee Ski Centre - Near Braemar,
Glenshee offers 40 kms of pistes, qualified instructors,
equipment hire and restaurants. Tel : 013397 41320.
Cairngorm Ski Centre - The Cairngorm
ski complex is located near to Aviemore, and has 40
kms of pistes, 17 lifts, 30 runs, qualified instructors,
hire shops and cafes. Tel : 01479 861 261.
Nevis Range - This ski centre is
near Fort William. The Gondola will take you to 2,150
ft and is open all year. The centre has hire shops,
instructors and restaurants. Strong winds can be a
problem here so check before leaving. Tel : 01397
705825.
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Swimming
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The River Tilt Caravan Park (01796
481600) hosts the Steading Spa Pool and Health Club,
available to caravan park customers and to visitors. Further afield, there are excellent
public pools at Aberfeldy and Perth.
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Target Shooting
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The West Atholl Rifle Club's Full-Bore Range
opened in 1977 and hosts many National and International
Competitions. It provides the only facility, up to
1200 yards, north of Bisley.
Set in the splendour of Glen Tilt, walkers are advised
to observe the safety notices which are posted at
either end of the range. Further information re access
restrictions during shooting is available from Atholl
Estates Ranger Service and can be downloaded from
the Club's Website (link hereunder) which has a page
"Information for Hill Walkers".
Details of competition dates and a full description
of the range facilities can be found on the Club's
Website, link :- West
Atholl Rifle Club
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Theatre
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Pitlochry Festival Theatre is into
its 50th season. Pitlochry Theatre, 'The Theatre in
the Hills', is only 10 minutes by car from Blair Atholl.
For further information, and details of the current
programme contact the Box Office at Tel No. 01796
484626;
Email :-
boxoffice@pitlochry.org.uk : or visit the Theatre
Website:-
www.pitlochry.org.uk.
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Traditional music
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Traditional music is much appreciated in our area
and there are a number of venues, within a short drive,
where live music is played.
Moness House Hotel, Aberfeldy. Aberfeldy branch of
An Comunn Gaidhealach hold weekly ceilidhs each Tuesday
evening, from 12th June to 4th September.
Crown Hotel, Aberfeldy. Local folk club meets each
Thursday. All welcome to listen, sing or play.
Provincial Mod, Aberfeldy. This event is on Saturday
9th June and features piping, choral and solo singing,
fiddle and accordian classes.
7th Festival of Traditional music and dance, Killin.
Guests include top Irish band Providence, moothie
and guitar duo Donald Black and Malcolm Jones ( from
Runrig ) and Dougie MacLean. The weekend of 15th-17th
June.
Heart of Scotland Festival, Aberfeldy. The weekend
of 7th-10th September.
Taybank Hotel, Dunkeld. The home of Dougie MacLean,
there are special guests each Friday evening. A very
busy place and well worth a visit..
Highland nights, Pitlochry. A wide variety of talents.
Monday evenings from 28th May to 3rd September. |
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Watching Wildlife - for further information click here
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For those with a general interest in birds and animals,
the area provides a good opportunity to see Perthshire’s
wildlife at close quarters. We have all the common
species you might expect in this type of habitat,
plus a few more. The Atholl area can be full of surprises.
For latest news on the web cam focused on a GOLDEN
EAGLE'S NEST on Atholl Estates, please go to the "Events"
page on this site. |
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Watersports
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Within comfortable driving distance there is a good
choice of water sports, from the gentle row around
a scenic loch to the more adventurous and energetic
activities.
Pitlochry Boating Station Gentle
rowing from half-hour to 8 hours around Loch Faskally.
Open 15 March to 15 October. Café. Tel : 01796
472919.
Croft Na Caber Scotland’s premier
water sports and activities centre, near Kenmore,
offers a variety of activities, from a gentle cruise
in the Maid of Tay to more exhilarating sports. Open
all year. Tel : 01887 830588.
Loch Tay Boating Centre Cabin cruisers,
speedboats and canoes for hire. Open 1 April to 15
October. Tel : 01887 830291
Loch Insh Watersports Sailing,windsurfing
and canoeing only 30mins. north. Open daily 10am to
10pm. March to end of October. Tel: 01540 651272 |
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