Blair Atholl is a picturesque village situated on the eastern edge of Loch Rannoch, a freshwater loch that stretches ten miles west to the Bridge of Gaur. The village is surrounded by stunning scenery, with the loch and the surrounding hills providing a breathtaking backdrop. The area is popular with walkers, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts, and is a great place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
The village itself has a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. In the 19th century, Blair Atholl became a popular destination for wealthy Victorians, who were drawn to the area’s natural beauty and clean air. Today, the village is a thriving community, with a range of amenities including a shop, cafe and restaurant, as well as a post office and medical centre.
Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, or simply relax and unwind in a beautiful setting, Blair Atholl is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, rich history and range of amenities, it’s easy to see why this charming village is such a popular choice for visitors to the area.
Loch Rannoch is a large freshwater loch located in the Scottish Highlands. It is approximately ten miles long and one mile wide, and is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. The loch is a popular spot for fishing, sailing, and other water sports, and is home to a variety of fish species, including brown trout, pike, and salmon.
In the centre of Blair Atholl with information on things to do, places to visit, local shops and where to eat out when staying in the area.
There are many attractions to be found around Blair Atholl - from historic castles to stunning scenic locations, lochs and viewpoints.
There is an excellent range of outdoor activities such as white water rafting, golf, salmon fishing, walking, cycling, to name a few.
Blair Atholl is ideal for visiting the House of Bruar, as well as small family outlets offering everything from essentials to souveniers.
Blair Atholl and Bridge of Tilt is the largest village in the area being bounded on the south side by the River Garry and bisected by its tributary, the southerly flowing River Tilt. The area of the village on the left bank of the River Tilt is known as Bridge of Tilt.
Some 4 miles North of Blair Atholl lie the hamlets of Bruar, Calvine and Struan, where the A9 main road and railway to Inverness leave the broad green valley of Strathgarry in Atholl and begin their ascent through the lofty Drumochter Pass into Badenoch.
The name Killiecrankie derives from Coille Chneagaidh meaning Wood of The Aspen or Wood of the Shimmering. The area is steeped in history and is popular with walkers, fishers and anyone intent on spending time in one of the most beautiful areas in the UK.
Find out about things to do and places to visit when you are staying in Blair Atholl or visiting for the day.
The home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries
All aspects of traditional rural life in highland Atholl
There is evidence of settlement in the area surrounding Blair Atholl from as far back as 500AD when the missionary St. Blane arrived although the name remains a mystery, as the word “kinloch” means head of a loch, rather than the foot, where the village is located. For many hundreds of years, this tiny and remote hamlet was home to a few primitive people who lived a poverty-stricken existence, surviving mainly by thieving and, for a long time, there were no roads or bridges in the area.
It wasn’t until the end of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion that James Small, a soldier in Lord Loudon’s Regiment, started to enlarge and settle the village with numbers of discharged soldiers and displaced crofters. Initially, the soldiers spent a large part of their time trying to apprehend bands of plundering Highlanders who stole cattle and hid quantities of arms in the hills. The soldiers met with little support from the locals, and the reputation of the “Rannoch thieves” spread far and wide.
