Discovering Aberfeldy in the heart of the Scottish highlands. What to do and see near this beautiful town in Perthshire.
Aberfeldy in the Scottish Highlands
The little town of Aberfeldy is pretty much in the centre of Scotland, in the heart of Highland Perthshire – the famous Scottish Highlands. It’s a great place to base yourself for a holiday or just a short break, early summer is ideal with everything springing into life and long, light evenings to enjoy.
We stayed at a stylish 300 year old holiday cottage in Dull, a hamlet only four kilometres away. The pretty little cottage is totally modernised inside without losing the authentic charm! In fact, this is the most beautifully peaceful stopover if you’re travelling by car on a hectic Scotland itinerary.
Authored by Judith Shaw
The scenery is beautiful and there really is something for everyone in close proximity to the town of Aberfeldy. For those who love the outdoors there are walks ranging from a gentle stroll along the banks of the lovely River Tay to full day hill walks in the mountains, many of which are over 900m.
There are opportunities to river raft, kayak, sail, horse ride, cycle, fish, watch wildlife, swim (if you’re brave) and no doubt many more activities that I’ve not mentioned. If you’re coming from abroad, don’t worry about driving in Scotland, it’s really quite straightforward.
History is everywhere, from Neolithic sites to castles and Loch Tay has a reconstructed crannog (Iron Age house built over water) to visit.
Foodies are well catered for, there are numerous eateries to choose from both in the town and further afield, including an award winning chocolatier along the road in Grandtully and lots of different local produce to be found. Perthshire is one of the best places to eat traditional Scottish food, and is famous for its summer berries (especially the hand-picked raspberries which are in season from June).
The town has several galleries showcasing local artists and craftspeople and there are lots of artists living and working in the surrounding area. In nearby Pitlochry there is a very popular theatre and Aberfeldy itself has a recently restored cinema that dates back to the 1930’s (handy for the occasional wet afternoon, it sometimes rains in Scotland!).
In town there are some lovely little independent shops, including a good deli and a bakery and several cafes and restaurants and pubs as well as a distillery. Some personal favourites in Aberfeldy itself are The Watermill – an independent bookshop/gallery/cafe, Habitat Cafe, Square Feet shoe shop, The Birks of Aberfeldy – just on the edge of town, a lovely walk with waterfalls and pools.
Further afield – a drive into Glen Lyon, with a visit to the tea room, a hidden gem. A visit to Keltneyburn Smithy – art from scrap iron. A walk around the gardens at Cluny House. A stop at The Courtyard at Kenmore to browse the foodie produce and gifts. Or even a day out to discover the splendour of the Cairngorms, one of the most scenic drives in Scotland.
About the Author
Judith Shaw is a voluntary ranger for Scotland National Trust. In her spare time she loves walking in the Scottish Highlands with her dog.
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