Pitlochry History & Culture

Pitlochry Dam Visitors Centre

SSE's Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre showcases the rich history of hydro electricity in the north of Scotland and how it transformed lives. On display are a number of fascinating artefacts that show how generations of homes have been transformed by electrical appliances.

Visitors will meet the visionaries, such as Tom Johnston, who saw the untapped potential of hydro power in Scotland as well as hear the stories of the Hydro Boys and Tunnel Tigers who lived - and sadly in some cases died - building the schemes.

Pitlochry’s ‘fish ladder’ was integral to the design for the hydro electricity scheme in the early 1950’s. Thousands visit the Dam to see the salmon swim to their breeding grounds up river and now everyone can learn the secrets of that incredible journey.

Opening Hours: Open 7 days from 9:30am to 5:30pm (last entry at 5pm)

Entry: FREE ENTRY

Edradour Distillery

Edradour is a unique, single Highland malt whisky, produced in Scotland's smallest distillery and hand made today as it was over 150 years ago by just three men who are devoted to the time-honoured methods of whisky making.

The equipment used at the distillery has remained unchanged since the day the distillery opened and is only just capable of producing commercial quantities. Only 12 casks of whisky are produced a week, making Edradour single malt a rare pleasure for a fortunate few.

Tours of Edradour cost only £7.50 and include a "wee dram" of Edradour in the Malt Barn where visitors are introduced to the history of Edradour and the whisky maker's art before a tour of the distillery enables them to see the traditional methods of whisky making.

Distillery Opening Hours:
November, December, January & February: Monday to Saturday 10am - 4pm
March & April: Monday to Saturday 10am - 4pm & Sunday 12noon - 4pm
May, June, July, August, September & October: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm & Sunday 12noon - 5pm

Blair Athol Distillery, Visitor Centre & Whisky Shop

Established in 1798 in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.

Back in the 1850's Arthur Bell discovered that blending together several fine whiskies pleases more palates than one whisky unmixed. And to this day, each drop of Bell's is made from a select blend of fine malt and grain whiskies, skilfully married together by the master blender.

The unique flavour of Bell's Blended Scotch Whisky comes from some of the finest malt whiskies in Scotland - from the fresh, sweet malts of Speyside to the smoky sea salt of the Islands - all matured in selected oak casks for a richer flavour. The malt at the heart of the Bell's blend is rich, spiced and nutty (a bit like ginger cake), and comes from our home, the Blair Athol distillery.

OPEN for tours all year. Jan to Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (Tours hourly from 10.00am until 3.00pm). Easter to Oct Mon-Sun 10am-5pm (Closed Sun 11th May). July to Sept 21st only: until 5.30pm. Nov & Dec Mon–Sun: 10.00am-4.00pm (Tours hourly from 10.00am until 3.00pm) Closed 25th, 26th Dec 2014 & 1st, 2nd Jan 2015 Last tour 1 hour before closing. Tel: 01796 482003

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Check out Pitlochry Festival Theatre's great programme of plays for Summer 2013:

Food and Drink at PFT:

Offering ‘One of the Best Views in Scotland' (according to The Scotsman) in ‘a stunning location' (according to The Guardian in 2009), PFT's Restaurant, Café and Bar provide tasty, unpretentious, yet contemporary food, and a wide range of refreshments, all at a reasonable price. Dinner is prepared on the premises, using fresh and locally sourced produce. We serve dinner from 6.30pm in Summer from Monday to Saturday (and on Sundays when a concert is scheduled), so we can guarantee that you won't miss curtain up!

The Atholl Palace Hotel Museum

The museum charts the history of the hotel from when it opened as a Hydropathic establishment in 1878 through to its reopening after World War II and beyond. There are tales of bankruptcy, colourful entrepreneurs, unusual and torturous spatreatments, and evacuees turning hotel to school. The Atholl Palace museum also delves behind the scenes of life for Victorian hotel servants including maids, porters, chauffeurs and gardeners, many of whom lived in the servants’ quarters where the museum stands.

Play and explore the Atholl Palace Hotel in the immersive world of Minecraft, with the creators of our virtual Victorian hotel. Learn how they built and landscaped the estate and hunt for clues both inside and outside this popular game.

Open 7 days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm to hotel guests and the general public, with free admission

Reception will give you directions to the museum entrance, located within the hotel beside the Lavender Spa.