spring adventures
Explore the Great Outdoors with our Top Spring Adventures in Highland Perthshire
Highland Perthshire is ready and waiting for you to explore this Spring.
Whether you are looking for a heart-pumping adrenaline filled experience, a bit of soul soothing forest walking or perhaps a bracing wild swimming dip, there’s adventure for you to discover just moments from your doorstep at The Old Mill Inn.
here are some of the things you can look forward to this spring when you come to stay...
ENJOY A WALK ALONG THE TAY
Take a stroll along the banks of the famous River Tay at Dunkeld and enjoy the woodland serenity and
dappled light sparkling on the river. In spring, look out for wildlife like red squirrels and
clusters of bluebells, primroses and daffodils as you meander your way along the path.
In Dunkeld, look out for the ancient Abbey, magnificent even in its ruined state.
For a sweet treat, head to Aran Bakery owned by Flora Shedden, runner up in the 2015 Series of The
Great British Bake Off where you’ll be tempted with all sorts treats both savoury and sweet. We
recommend their almond croissants – they are fab!
BLUEBELL WOODS AT KINCLAVEN – MAY
For a romantic walk through carpets of bluebells, the woods at Kinclaven are a must. Located near
Murthly around 25 minutes drive from Pitlochry, you can spend a couple of hours here enjoying the
various walks whilst marvelling at the beautifully delicate flowers, the tall ancient trees and the
fascinating wildlife. The perfect place for some soul soothing and re-charging.
AFTERNOON TEA & HIGHLAND COOS AT TASTE PERTHSHIRE
Taste Perthshire at Bankfoot, a 15 minute drive south of Pitlochry offers shopping and dining with
friendly service and plenty of free parking onsite. There are also EV charging points and a fuel
station will be opening this spring.
Their Afternoon Tea is served every day between 3pm and 5pm and as well as being delicious, offers
great value.
We have it on good authority that one of their herd of Highland Cows is due to have a calf this
spring too. You can visit the cows in the paddock beside the main building and bags of feed are
available from the shop for a small charge.
Taste Perthshire
Bankfoot, by Perth, PH1 4EB
Tel: 01738 787 696
CLIMB BEN VRACKIE
No visit to Pitlochry is complete without a climb to the top of Ben y Vrackie which stands senitel
above Pitlochry. The views from the top are incredible and on a clear day you can see all the way to
Glencoe on the West Coast!
The walk starts from Moulin where you can park your car (or walk up to the star from the Mill) and
the ascent will take you around 3.5 – 4 hours and you can read more details of the terrain and access
maps on the Walk Highlands website
WILD SWIMMING
Wild swimming is taking the UK by storm and Highland Perthshire is no different. Loch Faskally and
the Linn of Tummel are two local options. Whether you are an experienced wild swimmer or just fancy
putting a toe in the water, be cautious as the water will be cold and make sure you don’t go in
alone, and remember to keep it quick!
BOATING ON LOCH FASKALLY & A TOUR OF BLAIR ATHOL WHISKY DISTILLERY
Whilst boating and drinking don’t normally mix, it can be very successful if done in the right
order. We recommend hiring a boat for a gentle cruise on Loch Faskally, if you ask nicely at
Reception we might even be able to rustle up a picnic for you.
When you’re back on dry land, head to Pitlochry’s Blair Athol Whisky Distillery for a tour and tasting and learn how whisky is produced and what gives it its distinctive taste and character.
Don’t have too many drams though as dinner and many more drinks await at The Mill.
Pitlochry Boating Station & Adventure Hire
Clunie Bridge Road, Pitlochry, PH16
Tel: 01796 472 919
Blair Athol Distillery
Perth Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5LY
Tel: 01796 482003
PITLOCHRY DAM & FISH LADDER
One of Pitlochry’s landmarks is its Hydro Dam which crosses the River Garry and generates energy
from the momentum of the water passing through turbines. When the river was dammed, there was
provision made to allow safe passage to the many salmon who navigate up the River Garry each year to
return to their spawning grounds. Today you can visit both the Dam Visitor Centre to find out all
about the dam, its origins and its future as well as the Fish Ladder to see any Salmon passing through
and see the running total of fish that have passed up stream this year.
After your visit to the Dam, we highly recommend lunch at out sister Restaurant in Pitlochry;
Victoria’s followed by a lovely walk around Loch Dunmore and the woodlands at Faskally, made
famous in popular TV series Outlander.
BUNGEE OR ZIP LINING OVER THE RIVER GARRY
If you like an adventure that makes you feel alive and your heart beat fast, then our friends over at
Bungee Jump Scotland have a variety of options available for you. Throw yourself 40m down from the
Garry Bridge and bungee over the dark river depths or try their new Zip Park called The Killie Zip
which includes a series of 9 zip lines up to 35 meters high through the ancient trees and across the
River Garry just up the road from us at Killiecrankie. Its perfect for anyone who loves the buzz of
an activity and is moderately fit as you need to climb up a 20ft ladder to access the zip circuit.
Bungee costs from £79 for your first jump and you should allow 1.5 hours for the experience. There
is also a swing option available if bungee is just too scary for you!
The Zip Park costs £35 per person and you should allow 1.5 hours to get around the route.
Highland Fling Bungee
Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, Killiecrankie, Perthshire,
PH16 5LG
Tel: 0345 366 5844