Inspiring Itineraries
Explore inspirational itineraries for your Highland Perthshire adventure with Stay on Atholl
Highland Perthshire has a bounty of outdoor adventure activities, beautiful gardens, historic castles and picturesque towns. Discover possible itineraries for your Stay on Atholl.
The Great Gardens of Perthshire
Gardens to visit
- Blair Castle – Hercules Garden
Magnificent 18th century walled garden and historic castle grounds with herbaceous borders and fruit trees. - Drummond Castle Gardens
One of Europe’s most famous formal gardens, renowned for its spectacular parterre and terraced design. - Branklyn Garden
A rare plant collector’s garden famous for Himalayan poppies, rhododendrons and alpine plants. - Cluny House Gardens
A magical woodland garden filled with rare trees and plants, also known for its visiting red squirrels. - Cambo Gardens
A beautiful coastal garden with woodland walks and a charming walled garden near St Andrews. - Japanese Garden at Cowden
A stunning restored Japanese landscape garden near Dollar with bridges, water features and
flowering trees. - Scone Palace Gardens
Historic palace grounds with sweeping lawns, magnificent trees and landscaped parkland. - The Hermitage & Ossian’s Hall
A dramatic woodland walk near Dunkeld through towering Douglas firs to waterfalls and a romantic folly. - St Andrews
A perfect coastal day trip combining historic streets, famous university buildings and the wide sands
of West Sands Beach.
Suggested Five Day Garden Itinerary
The following suggested itinerary splits the days into geographical garden locations, using Tuilliemet and Pitlochry area as a base. Drive times are one way to the gardens and are approximate from the Tulliemet and Pitlochry areas.
Please note that many gardens are open seasonally so please check opening times.
Day 1 | Drive time: 30 min
Enjoy a full day out exploring Blair Castle Gardens, including a nine acre walled garden, the red deer park, a 2 acre wooded grove with some of the tallest trees in Scotland, and explore the vast estate grounds through woodlands and Glen Tilt.
Day 2 | Drive time: 1hr
Start the day with a visit to Drummond Castle Gardens near Crieff; an impressive formal garden dating back to 17th century followed by National Trust owned, Branklyn Garden in Perth, where you can explore rare and unusual plants.
Day 3 | Drive time: 25 min
Enjoy a scenic drive through Highland Perthshire to reach Cluny House Gardens where you are likely to see red squirrels and then onto The Hermitage near Dunkeld, managed by the National Trust, to experience the magnificent Black Linn Falls.
Day 4 | Drive time: 1hr 10min
Explore the beautifully restored Japanese Garden at Cowden followed by a visit to Scone Palace Gardens where you can enjoy the walled garden, pinetum and beech maze.
Day 5 | Drive time: 1 hr 45min
Cambo Gardens delivers woodland walks and a beautiful walled garden which can be followed by lunch and a walk on the big sands of St Andrews West Sands Beach.
After a day exploring gardens and landscapes, return to Tulliemet to enjoy peaceful evenings overlooking the hills. Guests often end the day with a sunset walk across the fields, a picnic beside the loch, or a private chef supper using seasonal Highland produce. Tulliemet offers a tranquil and comfortable retreat for garden lovers wishing to discover some of the finest landscapes in Scotland.
Highlands Castle Tour
If you are staying in Highland Perthshire on Atholl Estates and are interested in history and magnificent buildings, you can visit numerous castles that are within a 2 hour drive from Tulliemet and Pitlochry. The drives to the castles have spectacular views and take you through charming villages and towns. Many of the castles have gardens and grounds that can be explored alongside their historic interiors. Enjoy a full, fun, family day out at Blair Castle & Gardens or visit two castles in one day, such at Braemar and Balmoral where they are only a 10 minute drive from each other. Return from exploring castles to your welcoming Stay on Atholl lodge where you can relax with spectacular views, cook up a storm in the fully equipped kitchen and sit by the warmth of your firepit as the sun sets.
Castles to visit
- Blair Castle & Gardens
One of Scotland’s most famous castles, home to the Atholl family for over 700 years. Expect grand interiors, gardens, and a rich clan history. - Castle Menzies
A beautifully restored 16th-century castle with a quieter, more intimate feel near Aberfeldy. - Balmoral Castle
The Scottish home of the British royal family. Open seasonally, but even the grounds are worth it. - Braemar Castle
Smaller but full of character, with exhibitions on Highland life and the Jacobite era. - St Andrews Castle
Cliff-top ruins with dramatic siege tunnels and coastal views. - Kellie Castle
A charming, lesser-known castle with gorgeous gardens and interiors. - Stirling Castle
One of Scotland’s most important castles, linked to figures like Mary, Queen of Scots and William Wallace. - Doune Castle
Famous for appearances in Outlander and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. - Glamis Castle
A fairy-tale castle and childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Suggested Five Day Castle Itinerary
The following suggested itinerary splits the days into geographical castle locations, using Tuilliemet and Pitlochry area as a base. Drive times are one way to the castles and are approximate from the Tulliemet and Pitlochry areas.
Please note that some castles are open seasonally (especially Balmoral) so please check opening times.
Day 1 | Highland Perthshire | Drive time: 30 min
Explore over 750 years of Atholl family history through 30 rooms at Blair Castle and on your return visit Castle Menzies via a scenic drive that runs beside the River Tay.
Day 2 | Royal Deeside | Drive time: 1hr 45min
Enjoy a spectacular drive through the Cairngorms National Park to visit the King’s Castle at Balmoral followed by Braemar Castle, just 10 minutes away and situated in the charming village of Braemar. Perfect for some cake and tea before heading back to your lodge.
Day 3 |Fife| Drive time: 1hr 30min
Head to the coast to visit St Andrews Castle. Afterwards take the time to enjoy the massive expanse of West Sands beach and a stroll through the historic town. Alternatively, head to the lesser-known Kellie Castle.
Day 4 | Stirlingshire | Drive time: 1hr 30min
Explore Stirling Castle, the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots and then head to Doune Castle, famous for its television appearances.
Day 5 | Angus | Drive time: 1hr 45min
Finish your tour with a visit to the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at Glamis Castle before heading back to your lodge to put your feet up and enjoy the spectacular surroundings and reflect on your fulfilling castle tour.
After a day of scenic drives and exploring castles, return to your lodge to enjoy peaceful evenings with wonderful views. Stretch your legs with an evening stroll through the stunning countryside on your doorstep, before enjoying a tasty home cooked meal and stories around the fire pit.
Explore the area
Blair Castle & Gardens
Be sure to visit Blair Castle and Gardens for a full and fun day out for all the family, included in your stay at all Atholl Estate lodges between April and October, during opening hours. New for 2026 are two brand new exhibitions in the castle. A Costume Drama at Blair Castle brings together original historic costumes from the castle’s attics alongside iconic pieces from film and television. Our second exhibition is James Hutton and Glen Tilt that explores James Hutton’s pivotal geological observations in Glen Tilt, connecting Blair Castle’s landscape and collections to a moment that reshaped humanity’s understanding of Earth’s history.
Check our What’s On page for castle and local events.
Atholl Estate walks
Stay with Atholl Estates this summer and discover 120,000 acres of hills, woodlands and open countryside by foot or simply touring around. There is a fantastic network of walks on Atholl Estates that our Estate Rangers ensure are in good order for visitors to explore our glens, woodland and open moorland. Longer routes take you into the hills and the wilder parts of the Cairngorms. For the intrepid walker there are numerous Munros and Corbett’s to bag.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
This wonderful theatre in Pitlochry has a packed schedule of theatre productions, music, dance, exhibitions, talks and youth workshops. Check their What’s On page to see what is on during your visit.
Etape Caledonia Bike Ride
The Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia returns to the idyllic village of Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire, on Sunday 10 May 2026.
This breathtaking event takes riders on a tour through the stunning landscapes of Highland Perthshire. Choose from 40, 55 or 85 miles of unforgettable riding on fully closed roads. You’ll wind through tree-lined avenues, past shimmering lochs and cheering spectators, with the sound of bagpipes echoing through the hills. If you don’t fancy taking part you can cheer participants on from the side lines and soak up the atmosphere.
Live music in Pitlochry
Live music lovers can head to Pitlochry where The Old Mill Inn and McKays Hotel & Bar, both play live music every Friday and Saturday evening. Check their websites for listings.
Live Music in Dunkeld
Head to The Taybank in Dunkeld for live music every Wednesday and Thursday, check their website for listings. The Taybank pub quiz is held on the first Tuesday of every month if you want to test your knowledge on holiday!
Heartland Festival | 26th – 28th June 2026
A live music festival held in Pitlochry starts on the evening of Friday 26th June running through to Sunday 28th June. Headliner Marti Pellow closes the Friday evening followed throughout the weekend by some great acts, food and a fun, family festival vibe. Find out more and book tickets on their website.