Blair Castle

Blair Castle and its gardens are open daily throughout April - October, offering a glimpse into over 400 years of history of Atholl and its Dukes.
The ground floor of the Castle and most of the gardens are wheelchair accessible. Blair Castle is home to the International Horse Trials every August, as well as the Atholl Highlanders Parade and Highland Gathering in May.

Eating Out

The highly rated Loft Restaurant is only five minutes walk from Couthy Cottage, offering fine dining. The Atholl Arms Hotel is home to a restaurant as well as the cosy Bothy Bar, and is fifteen minutes walk from the cottage. The Blair Atholl Watermill is not only one of the last working watermills in Scotland, but it also has a busy tearoom, serving breakfasts and light lunches made with fresh local produce daily from April - October, with a wheelchair accessible tea-garden by the lade. Food in The Park serve fish & chips to sit in or take-away, as well as delicious pizzas, whilst Music in the Park host live music events regularly throughout the summer. Past events have included performances from Skerryvore, Tidelines and The Red Pine Timber Co. The Tulach at Blair Atholl Golf Course offers a range of meals all day.

Leisure

There are a number of walks of varying difficulties and lengths in and around Blair Atholl, including Glen Tilt, Glen Banvie, Tulloch Hill and plenty munros to keep you entertained. As well as this, there are many cycling routes both off-road and on cycle paths. Maps and more information can be found at the Tourist Information Centre in the heart of the village. The Atholl Country Life Museum is open seasonally and offers a broad range of historical information on the area of Atholl. The village also boasts a swimming pool and sauna, bowling green, stunning golf course, Segway tours, Land Rover Safari tours, and The Atholl Beauty Room as the perfect way to unwind.

Shopping

There is a well-stocked Spar shop less than a one minute walk from Couthy Cottage, as well as a Premier shop only fifteen minutes walk away at the other side of the village. The Heart of Atholl is also fifteen minutes walk from the Cottage, and stocks a selection of gifts and homeware. The Blair Atholl Watermill sell flour, oatmeal, fresh bread and other local produce daily from April - October. Fresh Scottish fish is available twice weekly in the village Spar. The popular House of Bruar is a fifteen minute drive away, north of Blair Atholl.

Transport

Blair Atholl is connected to the Highlands and the South by the A9 and a popular train line, with an unmanned station in the village. The Station is a fifteen minute walk from Couthy Cottage. Elizabeth Yule bus services connect Pitlochry, Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl and Calvine, with a bus stop accessed on foot less than two minutes from Couthy Cottage. There is a local garage in Blair Atholl with 24hr fuel, as well as being on hand for mechanical works.

Pitlochry

The small town of Pitlochry is six miles away and offers a range of shops including a Co-op supermarket. Pitlochry is home to a Festival Theatre that provides year round entertainment, as well as a Golf Course, Hyrdo Dam and Visitor Centre, and Whisky Distillery. Train services running south from Blair Atholl often stop at Pitlochry Station, and there is a local bus service. Taxis are also readily available.