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‘Ceud Mille Failte’ says the sign as you enter Pitlochry - a Hundred Thousand Welcomes. The town is one of the leading tourist destinations in Scotland. Its glorious scenery and pure air made it a well-known health resort even before the arrival of the railway. Valetudinarians crossed the Tummel on the Logierait to Ballinluig ferry and rattled in to the town by coach. Moulin, up the hill, was the original settlement but the road and the railway were built further down, near the river. On its west bank stands the famous Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
This area has a rich history. It was the country of the Robertsons of Clan Donnachaidh, Stewarts and Fergussons. 4,000 men died one summer evening in 1689 when rebel Highlanders at the battle of Killiecrankie threw a redcoat army into the river Garry. This, the bloodiest battle ever fought in Perthshire, was about control of the narrow pass leading to Blair Castle at Blair Atholl a few miles north. Who held the Castle controlled the route into the Highlands. The rebels won, but their leader Viscount Dundee was killed and the Rising fizzled out.
At Bruar beyond Blair Atholl is the Clan Donnachaidh Centre, the first purpose-built clan museum in Scotland. In front is the statue of a piper, commemorating the gallantry of the men of the 51st Highland Division in the Second World War. Dominating both is the massive House of Bruar, nicknamed the Harrods of the North. Its excellent restaurant and food hall caters for scores of thousands of passing travellers each year. The spectacular cashmere, tweed, art and antiques are best appreciated by holders of gold credit cards.
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