Scottish vacations are incredibly popular today due, possibly, to the strength of the $ against the UK pound making vacations to England, Wales and Scotland extremely good value, especially if visiting from elsewhere. In the article below we introduce 3 interesting places to visit in Pitlochry, Blair Castle, the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre and the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre.

Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre

A power station is an extraordinary place for a visitor center, but this is exactly where you can find the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Center. The visitor center is found within the resplendent Pitlochry Power Station, and features interactive exhibits tracing the development of hydro power in Scotland, dating from the nineteen forties right up to the present day. The Pitlochry Dam(constructed between 1947 & 1951) also offers the fascinating opportunity to watch the renowned salmon ladder through 3 observation chambers. Within the center, you will discover audio-visual presentations (interactive) explaining this naturally occurring phenomenon. The turbine hall of Pitlochry Hydro-Electric Power Station can also be viewed from within the Visitor Center.

Blair Castle

Blair Castle, which can be dated back to the 13th century, is the ancestral seat of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl. The building of Blair Castle started in the year twelve sixtynine, under the command of John I Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, a northerly acquaintance of the Earl of Atholl. The Earl was away from home, fighting in the Crusade’s, when John I Comyn began construction of his castle on his land. As soon as the Earl returned to Scotland he angrily complained to the king of Scotland, Alexander III about his neighbor, and his lands were returned. Rather than demolishing the tower than John I Comyn had constructed, the Earl decided to merge the tower into his own castle. A Great Hall and a series 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 renovate the castle as a Georgian Mansion.

Killiecrankie Visitor Centre

During the time of the Jacobites Killiecrankie, near to Pitlochry, was full of the sounds of battle. The government soldiers were utterly defeated by the rebel army of the Jacobites, under the the direction of Bonnie Dundee. During the bloodthirsty battle a soldier evaded capture by leaping over the River Garry, which became known as, Soldier’s Leap. The area about the Pass and gorge were a favored haunt of Queen Victoria.

To find out facts concerning the infamous battle one should visit the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre has a collection of otherdisplays and services, which include; a natural history of the area, guided walks and ranger service’s and many more.

If you are considering taking a Scottish vacation based in Pitlochry then you will find Pitlochry hotels online by searching for “Pitlochry hotel accommodation” in your favorite search engine.

Posted by hotelreviews / Uncategorized