With Pitlochry Train Station sitting on the Highland Main Line and only a mere ten-minute walk from Pine Trees Hotel, a day of discovering somewhere new can begin with little more than a walk to the station, a window seat and a sense of adventure.
The Highland Main Line winds its way for 118 miles from Perth to Inverness, passing through Highland Perthshire and into the Cairngorms. Along the way, it connects some of the Highlands’ most beautiful corners, including Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Kingussie and Aviemore. And perhaps the best part? The journey is every bit as enjoyable as the destination.
Pitlochry to Blair Atholl
For a shorter day out, hop on the train from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl. The journey takes around ten minutes, but as you leave Pitlochry behind, the scenery quickly begins to change.
Blair Atholl is home to the magnificent Blair Castle and its gardens, where you can spend a leisurely few hours exploring the castle, wandering through woodland and discovering the wider Atholl Estate.
If you fancy stretching your legs a little further, the Falls of Bruar offers another beautiful spot to explore, with woodland paths leading to the cascading falls.
Then, when you’ve had your fill of fresh Highland air, simply make your way back to the station and catch the train to Pitlochry. No traffic, no parking and no need to rush.
Pitlochry to Aviemore
For something a little further afield, continue north towards Aviemore and the Cairngorms.
The journey takes you through some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes, passing Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie before continuing through Newtonmore and Kingussie. As you travel further north, the landscape becomes increasingly wild and open.
One of the highlights is Druimuachdar Pass, which reaches 1,484 feet and is the highest point on a British main-line railway. So, even before you arrive, there’s plenty to look out for from your window seat.
Around an hour after leaving Pitlochry, you’ll arrive in Aviemore, right in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.
Spend the day surrounded by mountains, woodland and lochs. Take a walk through Rothiemurchus, explore the shores of Loch an Eilein or simply wander around Aviemore before stopping for lunch. There’s no need to pack the day with plans. Take your time, enjoy the scenery and let the Highlands set the pace.
Pitlochry to Inverness
And if you’re in the mood to go even further, stay on the train and continue north to Inverness.
The journey carries you onwards from Aviemore through Carrbridge and deeper into the Highlands, with mountains, woodland and open landscapes unfolding outside the window.
Inverness makes for a wonderful day of exploring. Wander along the River Ness, discover the city’s independent shops and cafés, or simply take your time exploring somewhere new before making your way back to Pitlochry.
The return journey is a chance to sit back and watch the landscape pass by once again, before stepping off the train and returning to the peace and quiet of Pine Trees.
A slower way to see Scotland
Perhaps that’s what makes travelling by train so enjoyable. There’s no need to watch the road or worry about what’s around the next corner. Instead, you can settle into your seat, watch the Highlands unfold outside the window and simply enjoy the journey.
It’s a feeling that fits naturally with a stay at Pine Trees. Here, there’s time to slow down, breathe a little deeper and make the most of being surrounded by the Highlands.
And with the station just a short stroll away, there’s a whole lot more to discover beyond Pitlochry. So, leave the car behind, choose your destination and see where the day takes you.
