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Pitlochry, UK (What to Do and Where to Stay: Northlands B & B)

Pitlochry, Scotland is a town you simply must visit. Add this historic and breathtakingly beautiful area to your list, and don’t miss the best place to stay: Northlands Bed & Breakfast.

Pitlochry, Scotland - river

I’m often asked about my recommendations on where to go or stay in Scotland.

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Giveaway ends March 31, 2024 at midnight GMT (4 pm PST) – winner announced on April 1st!

Terms & Conditions:

  • Winner will receive one night stay with breakfast for two people.
  • One night stay is valid for the winner only and is nontransferable.
  • All minimum night stay requirements apply.
  • Prize must be redeemed by Oct. 31, 2024, and dates are subject to availability.
  • The prize has no cash value and cannot be redeemed in combination with other special offers.

I was hosted with my parents at Northlands Bed and Breakfast without any conditions, but my first visit, in 2014, was a paid stay. As always, all opinions are my own. I would simply love for all of my readers to experience hospitality at this level, and in this stunning location in Pitlochry.

Northlands B & B in Pitlochry

One place that is most often included on my list is, Pitlochry.

Pitlochry, Scotland

I can easily state that the town itself, and the region of Perthshire, Scotland are outstanding locations, and Pitlochry’s proximity to many other “go-to” places is an added bonus.

Staircase in Northlands B & B in Pitlochry Scotland

This is a extra special spot to visit, and the innkeepers who run the warm and welcoming Northlands Bed and Breakfast. Pauline and David, are two of the very best reasons to visit Pitlochry, Scotland!

Northlands living room

Check out the website at the bottom for more proper photos of the lovely rooms.

Northlands B & B
Courtesy of Northlands B & B, Pitlochry

But first..

Where is Pitlochry?

map of pitlochry in Scotland
Courtesy of Google Maps

Pitlochry is situated near Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland, about 1.5 hrs north of Glasgow and Edinburgh (by car.) 

Pitlochry view
Overlooking Pitlochry from Northlands Bed & Breakfast

 

Some Pitlochry Basics

Pitlochry river view

Pitlochry is a town which roughly 3000 residents call home, as well as two whisky distilleries.

whisky bottles on display

Ebradour Distillery is currently closed for remodeling, but you can currently visit Blair Athol, and take a guided tour. When we visited in October, the ivy was incredibly vibrant!

Blair Athol distillery

Pitlochry is also the current home to Heather Gems. This Scottish company began making jewelry (and more) from heather in the 1950s. Any piece makes a beautiful memento, or thoughtful gift for someone back home.

heather gems display

Things to do in Pitlochry, Scotland

The Old Mill Inn

1. Pitlochry is a small town, yet you’ll find lots of wonderful shops and restaurants to patronize on the main street. The photo above is a local favorite: The Old Mill Inn. My family and I enjoyed our meals here including fish and chips, salmon, and steak and ale pie. There are many gift shops which sell local and Scottish made products (I always try to buy locally made products when I travel.)

2. Visiting the local whisky distilleries, or those further afield, is always a good idea in Scotland. (This is a view you’ll see if you drive through Pitlochry, so renting a car isn’t a bad idea!)

Pitlochry road

Whisky distilleries are quite interesting, whether you drink whisky or not.

Blair Castle in Pitlochry
Blair Castle in Pitlochry

3. Blair Castle and Gardens. Do not miss this! It’s a must visit if you are anywhere near Pitlochry! 

Blair Castle in Pitlochry
Blair Castle hall

4. Walks and hikes galore! This book highlights 40 walks in Perthshire.

Perthshire walks book

5. The Hermitage is one of my favorite places in Scotland (part of the National Trust for Scotland.) It is only 12 miles from the town of Pitlochry. We watched salmon leaping here last October! It’s truly an amazing thing to witness, and I highly recommend it!

river in the Hermitage, Scotland

 6. If you visit Pitlochry in the autumn, and time it just right, you’ll be in for a treat: The Enchanted Forest is on display in October (check the website for exact dates.) This is a themed light and multi-sensational show in Faskally Forest that has to be experienced to understand why it is so popular.

Enchanted Forest Pitlochry
Courtesy of Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry

Where to Stay in Pitlochry 

Northlands B & B entrance
Courtesy of Northlands B & B, Pitlochry

Northlands Bed and Breakfast

Northlands Bed and Breakfast at dusk

The information I have shared so far, you can find elsewhere, but the following is “inside information”: of all the accommodations and hotels in Pitlochry, there is one place that tops them all–Northlands Bed and Breakfast. 

Northlands Bed and Breakfast collage

Are the accommodations clean, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing? Of course! As you can see from the photos above, Northlands goes above and beyond on all of these aspects. However, what makes this bed and breakfast in Pitlochry the best is the people who run it.

Northlands B & B living room

Pauline and David are absolute gems, and will provide you with such incredible service, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at Downton Abbey, and are being cared for by Mr. Carson, and Mrs. Hughes! They truly live and breathe hospitality; I cannot stress this enough. 

The Living Room

The inviting front room is where you can relax after a day exploring the countryside, shopping (don’t miss the nearby House of Bruar!), golfing or just venturing out for afternoon tea! It’s a cosy spot where you can enjoy a sip of whisky or liqueur while sitting by the fire (if it’s a chilly time of year.)

northlands living room

Taking a look around Northlands, one cannot miss the attention to detail. Everything has been thought of beforehand, and it’s truly a feeling of staying with friends, and not at a corporate hotel that one can truly feel at ease. Want your privacy? Not a problem at Northlands Bed and Breakfast, it’s completely your decision. 

My mother and I had stayed at Northlands in 2014 the night I won the World Porridge Championship, but this was the first time my dad met Pauline and David. We all had a good blether together, and it truly felt like we were old friends who were just catching up!

whisky and millionaire's shortbread

Victorian-Style Bedrooms

You’ll want to book your room at Northlands Bed and Breakfast as soon as you know you’ll be visiting Pitlochry for two reasons: the rooms book up very quickly because Pauline’s reputation precedes her, and there are only three rooms. Or maybe there are three reasons: there’s whisky and a treat in each room! We had millionaire’s shortbread, plus you can have a cup of tea and a Tunnock’s tea cake–you can see the red and blue cakes in the collage below (my favorite!)

Northlands room collage

Amenities such as heated towel rails, fluffy robes and slippers as well as the most sumptuous beds and lovely linens are all features you’ll enjoy at Northlands in Pitlochry. The toiletries are made in Scotland (LOVE!) And did I mention the views?

Pitlochry view
Pitlochry view from Northlands B & B

Full Scottish Breakfast and More

Scottish breakfast at Northlands in Pitlochry

You know that one of the highlights for me is a Scottish breakfast, and I can almost guarantee you won’t need lunch after a Northlands breakfast! Not only can you choose your full Scottish breakfast for the next morning, including free range eggs – scrambled, fried or poached. Then choose from bacon, pork sausage, black pudding, haggis, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomato and homemade potato scone The table is set with everything you’ll need, including fresh curls of butter. 

The cold buffet includes your choice of juices, yogurts, homemade granola or locally made muesli, fresh seasonal fruits and sauces, cured meats and selection of Scottish cheese, and even cold smoked fish.

berries and rhubarb compote
Fresh berries and rhubarb compote

Let’s not forget the pastries and bread including croissants and pains au chocolat, Pauline’s homemade muffins and fruit bread, or toast with an array of Northlands’ jams, local honey and whisky marmalade. You’ll be spoilt for choice, and there’s something for everyone as there are more options on the menu including avocado toast, pancakes and of course: a hot, steaming bowl of PORRIDGE!

Northlands breakfast collage

Pauline made me a perfect dippy egg and soldiers and served them with a bone spoon: lovely!

overhead dippy egg and soldiers

And of course, breakfast wouldn’t be complete without a cup of tea or coffee. Even here you have more choices than some posh hotels offer for afternoon tea: Scottish breakfast, Earl Grey or fruit teas, (and freshly brewed coffee.)

flowers in the foyer

So as you can see, if you’re looking for a place to stay in Pitlochry, this is the gem you didn’t know existed before today! It’s like staying with friends in one of the highlights of Scotland. Please tell Pauline and David that I sent you if you do book with them, and let me know, too! (I do not receive a commission.)

Book directly at Northlands Bed and Breakfast
heathered hedgehog planter
A cute hedgehog planter with heather from the House of Bruar.
my parents with Pauline and David at Northlands in Pitlochry
My parents with Pauline and David at Northlands in Pitlochry

Heather Gems

Blair Athol Distillery

Blair Castle and Gardens

The Enchanted Forest

And if you are a US resident and are planning to travel to the UK, you can buy a Royal Oak Foundation membership which will give you access to the National Trust of England, Wales and N. Ireland properties. However, it also has reciprocal membership privileges in Scotland! Use code CUCINA for a 10% discount.

In the UK, you’d buy a National Trust for Scotland membership or a National Trust pass
directly through those entities.

Northlands B & B sign in Pitlochry
And if you don’t have faith in me, you can trust the Scottish Tourist Board who has awarded Northlands B & B with 4 Gold Stars!

DISCLOSURES (also above)

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

I was hosted with my parents at Northlands Bed and Breakfast without any conditions, but my first visit was a paid stay. As always, all opinions are my own, and I would love for all of my readers to experience hospitality at this level. Since my first stay in 2014, I have been recommending Northlands B & B, without compensation.

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103 Comments

  1. I have dreamed of visiting Scotland since I was little! This would give me the perfect reason! I would love to see and experience it all— the village shops, the food, the scenery and the lovely B&B (whisky and treats are additional bonuses!!)

  2. I’ve never been to anywhere in Scotland; it’s been on my bucket list forever. My father owned the only museum of bagpipes [and music] in North America; I spent many a weekend at Scottish Games all up and down the East Coast of the USA. I would LOVE to see a massed bands in Scotland, if nothing else!

  3. Pitlochry looks like a lovely destination in northern Scotland. Hadn’t thought of it before. We’re just now trying to put together an itinerary for a return to Northern Scotland this summer. My family is from Aberdeen and my husband’s is from the Highlands. Would love to win this delightful stop in our travels.

  4. I would love to return to Scotland. I spent my last college semester In Edinburgh attending university. A wonderful experience and felt like coming home.

  5. Oh my gosh-just one thing?!? I believe first of all I would need to extend stay. There is so much. Hiking, distilleries, fish ‘n chips, breakfast, Victorian rooms. My problem is I fall in love with places and never want to leave or to keep going back. Thank you for giving me a chance to go to Scotland (funny thing is – Scotland is my daughters dogs name!)

  6. Oh! This is lovely! We last stayed in the Cairngorms area in 2006. We last visited Scotland in 2012. We are long overdue for a most wonderful return holiday. This was our favorite area. Such lovely people and countryside. We were smitten with Scotland from the first visit. What an absolute treat it would be to be guests of Pauline and David. (Do you think I might request a a dippy egg and toasted soldiers, too?☺️)