Aberfeldy
Visitor guide to enchanting Perthshire town of Aberfeldy which stands on the banks of the River Tay in the Highlands.
This village has gained recognition as the popular destination among kayakers. It's well placed geographically for exploring the northern part of Perthshire, though Pitlochry has better tourist facilities.
Scotland's first Fairtrade Town is one of those small villages that against the odds is thriving in the world today. In spite of being a small village, Aberfeldy does have a lot to offer.
Aberfeldy lies in the bend of the mighty River Tay and about 5km from Loch Tay. The place has historic tale which takes us back to 1715 when the Jacobite war took place. Aberfldy is best known for its Water Mill which produces stone ground oatmeal established in 1896.
The place has a beautiful ecosystem which makes it pleasant for having a walk along the roads. The attractions here one should check are the Moness Falls and Birks of Aberfldy. The place also offers many activities to keep one busy and enjoy spending time here. One can enjoy golfing in lush green golf courses available here, or can splash in water with the water sports at Loch Tay. Fishing in Perthshire is another option to spend a thrilling time out here.
Eating Out
Eating in Aberfeldy has always been fun with great choices. You have plenty of restaurants and cafes which cater to your greatest needs. You can make advance bookings in some of the restaurants in Aberfeldy, which can be ordered by phone or email, and delivered to holiday cottage on arrival. Some of the restaurants in Aberfeldy also offer a fully catered facility of freshly prepare quality cuisine to cater for your individual needs.
The Quaich Coffee Shop
If you are doing a tour of Perthshire or a tour of Scotland, stop at The Quaich Coffee Shop which is situated in the heart of Aberfeldy, just along from the village square. Deirdre and Alan welcome you in to relax in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere and enjoy a soothing cup of coffee or tea, satisfy your hunger pangs with a snack or light meal or indulge yourself with one of the many cakes on display, while having a chat, reading a paper or just taking the weight off your feet and watching the world go by.
Region
PerthshireTravel Directions to Aberfeldy
Stagecoach buses run regularly (Mon-Sat) to Pitlochry (45 mins), Dunkeld (1 1/4 hrs) and Perth (1 3/4 hrs). Strathtay Scottish has twice daily (except Sun) buses to Blairgowrie, via Dunkeld. There's also a postbus service to Killin and another to Glen Lyon once a day, except Sun, Tel. 01887 820400.
Tourist Information Centre:
If you are in the place and looking for any kind of help, you can always visit the Tourist Information centre in Aberfeldy. (Tel No: 01887 820276). Tourist Information Centre is housed in an old church on The Square, in the centre of town. Apr-Jun, Sep and Oct Mon-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1100-1600; Jul and Aug Mon-Sat 0930-1830, Sun 1100-1700; Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 0930-1730, Sat 1000-1400.
Activities
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Cliff Jumping and Canyoning in Aberfeldy
Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely a must-do for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. -
Highland White Water Rafting Experience
Enjoy one of the great buzz events with 3 hours of rafting on the Tay in Highland Perthshire. If you can swim, you can raft! Works for any group size with tons of games, splashing and drops! -
Mountain Biking Hire Perthshire
A 2 hour racing treat in the mountain ranges- Truly challenging! -
Paintballing in Perthshire inc 300 Balls
Paintball is a thrilling sports that is designed to suit everybody from stags, hens, corporate groups to fun seekers. -
Quad Biking Group Session in Perthshire
Quads experience near Perth and Gleneagles. Great for groups and the landscape will soon get you expert. Variety of terrain to test and get your adrenalin going. -
4x4 off road driving - Scottish Highlands
Experience some off road driving action in your 4x4 off road driving day and test your driving skills with mates. -
Treasure Hunt in Scottish Highlands
Time to find out the hidden treasure by solving clues with your group. Delightfully light hearted and well suited for any time of the day. -
Quad Biking Safari in Perthshire
Quad bike safari across Scottish landscape. Lots of obstacles and tricky sections. We brief and guide you. No previous experience necessary. -
Canyoning, Cliffjumping and Rafting Day
Total wipe out multi-activity day.. three adrenalin activities together in one day for a great price! -
Central Scotland Adventure Tubing
Experience some adventure tubing with optional cliff jumping in Central Scotland. -
Canoeing Near Kenmore
Get ready to get wet with your wet suits on for an adventurous Canoe ride Near Kenmore. -
Mini Highland Games in Perthshire
Find your competitive streak to allow you to be the whisky bottle winner. This is a great activity to combine with others, we can arrange it all for you. -
Archery Lessons near Perth
Will you be the one that hits gold!!! A competitive activity for you and your team - who will be boasting the most in the pub later... -
Whisky Tour - The Famous Grouse Experience Perth
Explore the wide gamut of our Scottish Whisky and traverse through the different aromas and flavors of this rich drink! -
Clay Pigeon Shooting Near Dunkeld
You can book just the clay pigeon shooting or combine it with other great activities through our site, great deals for groups and only a small deposit required. -
Highland Activity Package inc Quads & Clays
Experience the Highlands and enjoy a range of events. Save money and driving around. Combines clays and quads. -
Face the Challenge of Abseiling
You have an experienced guide to take you abseiling, we can take beginners to experienced rock climbers.
Local Sights & Activities for Aberfeldy
The village turns out to be great for Highland Adventure Safaris (you can catch them on www.highlandadventuresafaris.co.uk, Tel No 01887 820 071) as they are one the few places where you get to see the Red Deer Rut. Get close to the action as you watch Scotland's largest animal lock antlers to establish male hierarchy and breeding rights.
We recommend the High-Level drives from Gilmerton to Aberfeldy. (From Gilmerton, west of Perth and slightly to the north-east of Crieff, travel north through Amulree on the A822 to Cablea. Then take the A826 to Aberfeldy).
The WaterMill in Aberfeldy is an award-winning bookshop and is the largest in the Highlands. You can find an excellent range of Scottish books here. It also features among Scotland's most recommended cafes. (www.aberfeldywatermill.com, Tel No 01887 822 896)
Aberfeldy is a gateway towards Glen Lyon or the local Munroes or for the local watersports and especially the white water rafting.
Its bustling main street contains a range of local shops including Haggarts the Tweed mill, a local butcher, a couple of delis and some local knick knack shops. The Old Mill is now a coffee shop, bookshop and exhibition space that is well worth visiting.
- Overlooking the Wade's Bridge is the Black Watch Monument which commemorates the famous regiment becoming part of the British Army's peacekeeping force in the 18th century.
- Just outside Aberfeldy is Dewar's World of Whisky, one of a new breed of distillery visitor centres.
- A mile west of Aberfeldy, across the Tay at Weem, is Castle Menzies, an impressive, restored 16th-century 'Z-plan' fortified tower-house.
- For those of you who like walking, a popular walk is through the famous Birks of Aberfeldy to the Falls of Moness. Who knows perhaps even you may get inspired like Robert burns was by the birch trees
- If you are an art-lover, you can spend some time at the Aberfeldy Art Gallery (http://www.aberfeldygallery.co.uk/) which showcases work of more than 80 artists from all over Scotland who take part in an ever changing exhibition of traditional, contemporary and fine art.
Castles Nearby
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Garth Castle
Daringly located and inacessible castle built by the fearsome Wolf of Badenoch in the 14th century. Not open.
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Castle Menzies
Striking Z plan in fully restored condition close to Aberfeldy. definately worth a visit.
Nearby Ancient Monuments
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Croft Moraig Stone Circle
Stone Circle dating to 2nd and 3rd millenia BC. Just off the road and easy to visit whilst travelling between Aberfeldy and Kenmore.
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Fortingall Stone Circles
A set of three stone circles near the famous church yard at Fortingall at the head of Glen Lyon.
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Fortingall Yew Tree
Ancient 5000 year old Yew Tree - one of the oldest living things in Europe - much despoiled but fascinating for all that.
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The Crannog Centre
Reconstruction of brnonze age island house called a Crannog. Well worth visiting.
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Wades Bridge
Steep stone bridge spanning the Tay built as part of campaign to connect the Highlands to allow the British army to quickly move to troublespots. Dates back to 1773.
Local Visitor Attractions
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Cluny House Gardens
Lovely wild woodland garden near Aberfeldy that features the UK's widest conifer tree with a girth of 11 metres. Usually quiet. worth visiting.
Walks
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Ben Lawers Nature Reserve
Nature reserve that starts from the visitor centre and for the fits reaches to the peak of Britain's third highest mountain, Ben Lawers.
Local Venues
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Aberfeldy Golf Course
Aberfeldy is a small Scottish market town, and is located centrally in Highland Perthshire. It is possible to reach both Scotland's east and west coasts in a few hours from Aberfeldy, and the town is about an hour and a half from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow.
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Birks of Aberfeldy Cinema
Local cinema with expansive programme that was lovingly restored by the local community. Excellent cinema in old style. Fun!
Nearby Distilleries
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Aberfeldy Distillery
Original Johny Dewar distillery near Aberfeldy that still produces a single malt as we being blended. Includes a smart visitor centre and tour.
Interesting Local Shops
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Haggarts of Aberfeldy
Classic old tweed weavers and shop in the centre of Aberfeldy. Browse the racks of estate tweeds and enjoy some of the old world
Local Restaurants
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Ailean Chraggan Restaurant
Lovely restaurant serving local scottish food with small bar. Bit of a cornerstone of the local scene and now run by lovely Lithuanian couple.
Hotels near Aberfeldy
Featured
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Mains of Taymouth Luxury Cottages, Perthshire
A superb selection of award-winning luxury holiday cottages, many with hot tubs and saunas.
- Sleeps: 2 to 10
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Boat of Cluny Holiday Cottage, Aberfeldy - Sleeps 4
Luxury holiday cottage with hot tub and sauna near Aberfeldy, right overlooking the river Tay. Sleeps 4 in real luxury.
- Sleeps: 4
Aberfeldy Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Gatehouse Cottage LOch Rannoch - Sleeps 2
Peacefully located cottage with stunning scenary, an abundance of wildlife and own private beach. On Loch Rannoch. Sleeps 2 in 1 bedroom -
Dunvarlich House, Aberfeldy - Sleeps 10
Big house for 10 people on the River Tay near bustling Highland village of Aberfeldy. Spacious, good garden, architecturally Listed B and has a cinema room and music room!! -
Bruadair House Aberfeldy - sleeps 8
End of terrace house on the edge of Aberfeldy. Sleeps eight people in four bedrooms. -
Edengrove Cottage Aberfeldy - sleeps 8
Detached cottage in popular village of Aberfeldy. Sleeps eight people in four bedrooms. -
Grandtully Schoolhouse, Perthshire - Sleeps 6-8
In a peaceful village location beside the Tay, this old schoolhouse has been renovated to provide every modern convenience, whilst retaining the original charm. Sleeps 6-8 -
Na Craigean Luxury Lodge, nr Aberfeldy - Sleeps 6
Part of a small exclusive development set round a pretty little loch high on the Braes of Foss, these luxury lodges sit on an elevated site with panoramic views over the water and deer park to the .... -
Strathtay Holiday House, Perthshire - Sleeps 6/8
In a beautifully tranquil and secluded position on a quiet lane at the entrance to a charming Victorian village lying along the banks of the River Tay, this substantial property offers an excellent .... -
Aberfeldy Bungalow - Sleeps 4
Aberfeldy is at the heart of Highland Perthshire and this delightful well-presented bungalow sits in a peaceful residential cul-de-sac. It is within easy walking distance of excellent local shops, .... -
Cruck Cottage, Aberfeldy - Sleeps 2
Cruck Cottage offers the ultimate in luxury for the discerning couple on a romantic break or on honeymoon. The owners have paid particular attention to detail to ensure the holiday cottage offers .... -
The Coachhouse, Aberfeldy - Sleeps 2
This charming coach house cottage has been recently converted from an original stable building and sits in a secluded, peaceful location within the extensive mature grounds of the owner\'s home. The .. -
Garden Cottage, Castle Menzies - Sleeps 6
Situated within the grounds of the spectacular 16th century Castle Menzies, this superb stone cottage offers spacious holiday accommodation, spectacular castle views and private access to the walled garden... -
Tigh Na Bruaich, nr Aberfeldy - Sleeps 6
Set amidst glorious Highland scenery, with views over Ben Lawers and Schiehallion, this cottage has been converted from a single-storey barn and is equipped to the highest standard. A cosy holiday retreat,... -
Foxlands Cottage, Aberfeldy - Sleeps 5/7
Surrounded by some of Perthshire’s finest scenery, this very comfortable, well-equipped cottage is within easy walking distance of the small Highland town of Aberfeldy and its many amenities. Attache... -
The Anchorage, Aberfeldy, sleeps 8
In a superb secluded position right on the banks of Loch Tay, this lovely spacious holiday property has a large garden flanked by burns as well as its own 150 yards of loch frontage, where free fishing is ... -
Aodin, Strathtay - Sleeps 8
With outstanding views over the River Tay from its first floor living room, this secluded, spacious country house has been attractively furnished, and is set high in the hills (900 ft) on a 4,000-acre... -
Creag Eilid, nr.Aberfeldy, sleeps 6
This detached holiday cottage is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the village and is set back from the River Tay on the Grandtully rapids, a magnet for white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Located i...