Fantastic Scotland Vacations

Scotland is a diverse country, beautiful rural areas with masses of awesome spots, country homes, fortified houses, historical buildings and castles, compared with central belt cities and towns with mountains of first class attractions, including some of the most fascinating galleries and museums in Britain. In the following article I talk about the immensely popular Scottish vacation destination, the town of Pitlochry.

The burgh of Pitlochry is situated on the banks of the River Tummel in the council area of Perth and Kinross in Scotland. Known widely as the "Gateway To The Highlands" the town is extremely popular with hill-walkers, ramblers, mountain climbers, hikers and other tourists of that kind. Of course a great many of other, similar, activities are able to be enjoyed in the area, and you will also find an impressive amount of attractions more than worth a visit. As a result of this comprehensive appeal there is an excellent amount of Pitlochry guesthouse and hotel accommodation, most of which are located on the high street.

Pitlochry Places To Visit

Blair Castle

Blair Castle: Blair Castle dates back to the 13th century, and is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The construction of Blair Castle started in 1269, under the instruction of John I Comyn, the Lord of Badenoch, a close neighbor of the Earl of Atholl. The Earl was away from home, fighting in the Crusade's, when his neighbor began the construction of the castle on his land. Upon his return, the Earl bitterly complained to King Alexander III of Scotland about his neighbor, and his lands were returned. Rather than demolishing the tower than John I Comyn had constructed, the Earl decided to incorporate the tower into his own castle. A Great Hall and a number of vaulted chambers were added to the castle over the centuries, by subsequent Earls. It was the second Duke of Atholl who, in 1740, decided to redesign the castle as a Georgian Mansion.

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre: During the period of the Jacobites Killiecrankie, not a great distance from Pitlochry, found itself full of the noise of battle. The government soldiers were utterly destroyed by the rebel army of the Jacobites, under the command of Bonnie Dundee. During the bloody battle a soldier escaped by jumping over the River Garry, hence the name, Soldier's Leap. The area around the gorge and pass were a favorite place of Queen Victoria. To find out about the infamous battle you should pay a visit to the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre. The center has a selection of otherexhibitions and services, which include; a natural history of the area, guided walks and ranger service's as well as many others.

Scottish Hydro Electric

Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre: A power station is an unusual location for a tourist center, but this is just where you will discover the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Center. The center is found inside the striking Pitlochry Power Station, and features interactive displays which trace the development of hydro power in Scotland, dating from the 1940's until the present day. The Pitlochry Dam(built nineteen forty seven to nineteen fifty one) offers you the exciting chance to watch the renowned salmon ladder through three viewing areas. Within the visitor center, you will also discover interactive and Audio-visual presentations explaining this natural phenomenon. The turbine hall of Pitlochry Hydro-Electric Power Station can also be seen from within the Visitor Center.