Cosy and poised at the edge of adventure, Blair Atholl might just be Scotland’s perfect tiny base town.
Straddling the northern border of Highland Perthshire and Cairngorms National Park, Blair Atholl is quieter than the more touristy villages of Pitlochry and Aberfeldy. The River Tilt splits the town in half before it joins with the River Garry, creating a lush green hamlet ideal for any Highland escape. Several holiday parks are nestled into the trees on the banks of the river and the Memorial Park is a wonderful place to while away a lazy afternoon.
No need to leave the boundaries of Blair Atholl to find nature. The tiny village is home to Atholl Estates, encompassing the 60,000 hectares around Blair Castle. A network of trails criss-cross the land and the 16-kilometre Glen Tilt trail is one of its best. After a solid day exploring on foot, kick back in your riverside campground or caravan park.
Just north of Blair Atholl you enter Cairngorms National Park, an area of stark, untamed beauty where meandering burns cut across the base of heather-covered mountains with snow-capped peaks. The scenery change inspires adventure, and hillwalkers and climbers who come to the region find solitude amongst the large scale of the wilderness. The tourist resort of Aviemore acts as a hub for outdoor pursuits, especially in winter, servicing the ski area of the same name. Primitive campsites to caravan parks, glamping and eco-huts abound in the region.
Forest and lochside cycles are a popular way to experience the beauty of Loch Tummel, a half hour’s drive from Blair Atholl. The Queen’s View toward the north end of the loch offers unbeatable views as far as Rannoch Moor. Nearby is the iconic cone shape of Schiehallion, the mountain that helped scientists calculate the mass of the world and a must-climb for Munro-baggers.
Summer in Perthshire is hard to beat, but everyone knows it. Tour busses cruise through Pitlochry and Aberfeldy, but Blair Atholl is a bit further off the map. Still, visiting in late September or early October will mean fewer crowds and the benefit of beautiful autumn foliage in Scotland’s “Big Tree Country.” The plentiful campground and caravan sites are likely to close down when the weather turns and the days grow shorter, so be sure to book and plan in advance.