Scotland - Pitlochry vs Dunkeld
 

We are continuing to narrow our travel plans for this summer and would appreciate a little comparative information between Pitlochry and Dunkeld. I recognize that Dunkeld is smaller (and we like small) but is it "too small" for a tourist coming from outside the UK? There doesn't seem to be nearly the range of accomodations and restauraunts in Dunkeld as there are in Pitlochry.

I'd also be curious to your reactions on several hotels in the Dunkeld/Pitlochry area:

Aerdeonaig Hotel
The Bridge B&B
Dunalastair Hotel
Killiekranckie House
Tigh-Na-Cloich
Wellwood House

Much thanks,

Hans

I spent a night in Dunkeld and after I visited the highly atmospheric ruined cathedral at twillight, I saw absolutely nothing to do. I happened to be in transit, so it didn't much bother me, but I also felt a lack of restaurant choices.

I am the furtherst thing you can imagine from needing a lot of stimulation from a town, but I felt it was a mistake to have booked into Dunkeld, especially since I booked at the huge lodge that was formerly a Duke's estate. I foreget the name but I believe it is now operated by Hilton (or was then). It was inconvenient to the town center and hosting some kind of medical conference.

I haven't a clue about Pitlochry, alas.

Apparently I am in a minority in liking Inverness, but it has a theatre and an art movie house and I quite liked the areas around the River Ness. But that may be not at all what you are looking for from you trip to Scotland.

Have a good time!

Mmm. Well, Dunkeld is a small well-heeled mediaeval town with a pretty square wholly owned by the National Trust of Scotland and a ruined cathedral which still houses at one end the parish church, in a glorious setting on the banks of Scotland's premier salmon fishing river. It has one very fine hotel, one mediumish one good one and one with fading grandeur, as well as a range of smaller pubbier type places. It has some posh wee shops including a nice deli and some designer clothes places. It has the Taybank, which bills itself as Scotland's premier music pub.

It's joined at the hip to Birnam, which has a nice hotel of its own and a visitor centre based on the works of Beatrice Potter, who spent childhood holidays in the area, not to mention a hill with a famous wood.

Pitlochry on the other hand is a larger, Victorian touristy place, quite well heeled but much more toursity. Lots of woolen shops (did I netion thy were for tourists). masses of hotels- one posh one, everything else midle market and down. More Highland location. Nice Theatre. Dam with salmon ladder. I can't think of anywhere in Pitlochry I'd want to eat, although it has a good whisky shop.

The Ardeonaig and the Dunalastair are NOT close to Pitlochry or Dunkeld. Killiecrankie is a bit north of Pitlochry and Killiecrankie House gets a good name. The Ardeonaig is fantastic- I think, anyway.

The others, I don't know.

We LOVED Dunkeld but then the only stimulation we needed was the quiet beauty of it all. We stayed at the Atholl Arms, a nice moderately priced hotel right on the River Tay at the famous Telford Bridge. They have a marvelous restaurant with some of the best food we had on our trip.

We loved walking along the River after dinner and sitting at one of the many park benches near the Cathedral. (By the way, part of the Cathedral is ruins but part is still actually being used as a church.) However, we did not spend all of our time in Dunkeld. We used it as a base to visit some of the surrounding towns such as Aberfeldy and Kenmore.

http://www.theathollarmshotel.fsnet.co.uk/

How long are you stopping - 1 or 2 nights? If so, Dunkeld absolutely hands down IMHO.

Dunkeld is not a "happening" place, but you won't find a lovlier village in that area. Pitlochry is all tour buses, B&Bs and woolen shops. Not all that nice.

Haven't been to Dunkeld that I recall, but did spend a week in Pitlochry, which has a wonderful regional theatre, of which they are justly quite proud, and some other musical/cultural activities. We rented a self-catering place for a week so can't tell you about the hotels.

We rented a house for a week in Pitlochry. My family didn't like it much, sadly, and we found ourselves driving fairly far afield to take in better scenes...castles, ocean views, etc. Pitlochry is quite touristy; there is a pretty good golf course--very hilly--if you opt for that. There was an ok restaurant, al fresco dining at the top of the fish ladder. We also saw some bagpipe competitions nearby that were fun.

I have to review Dunkeld, because I know we went there too. My recollection was that it was charming, but if I get a chance, I'll write back with those impressions.

Re-reading this thread I want to make sure that nobody misunderstands me as thinking Dunkeld an unnattractive place. It is quite cozy and nicely preserved. I just don't know, though, how to answer the question as to whether it is "too small" for a tourist coming from outside the UK.

I would definitely take "small and limited" over "touristy and mediocre."

As for that "famous wood" near Birnam, I went looking for it until I remembered MacBeth's enemies chopped it down.

Thanks for the replies so far. We are looking for a place to base ourselves; we'll drive throughout the area but also want to enjoy ourselves when we come "home" for dinner. That's part of the reason I asked about the Aerdeonaig Hotel and the Dunalastair Hotel. Perhaps we would be better off staying at one of them for our regional excursions.

Ok, I remember Dunkeld now after a quick stop at the internet. We LOVED it, though we were only there for a day. It was petite but the floral arrangements that people had created on their doorsteps etc. was understated, charming and very European. Dunkeld is also the home of Dougie MacLean, who is a terrific folk-artist. I think that he used to have kind of like a low-key fan club there or something. Take a look on the web, because he's listed under Dunkeld. I think that we ate at a small restaurant/pub...very pleasant. I would take a look at the location and consider where else I wanted to visit. If you feel that Dunkeld is within the radius of your other interests, and you like small village charm, you won't be disappointed. We wished that we had stayed there over Pitlochry hands-down. Very different settings from large to small, from touristy to understated.
Good luck, and write back with where you end up going!

letour