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Situated on Scotland’s longest river, the River Tay, the pretty little town of Aberfeldy is a perfectly positioned base for exploring the surrounding Highland Perthshire region and beyond. The town is synonymous with Aberfeldy Distillery, which welcomes visitors throughout the year for a tour and a dram of single malt whisky; and the Birks of Aberfeldy, an area of dense woodland leading to a waterfall that was made famous by Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. Outdoor lovers will find plenty of things to do in Aberfeldy, from white water rafting and abseiling to canyoning and mountain biking.
Summer is the prime time to enjoy everything Aberfeldy and the Highland Perthshire region offers. Summer days are long in Scotland’s Highlands (at the height of summer, it remains light until after 11pm) and promise the best of Scotland’s notoriously fickle weather. Fall is also appealing as the biggest crowds will have gone, and the forests will be blazing in rich reds and oranges. Perthshire is known as “big tree country” and is the best place in Scotland for leaf peeping.
While Aberfeldy is small enough to get around on foot, having your own vehicle is the key to getting the most out of your time in the Highland Perthshire region. With some planning and patience, you can get around major points of interest using public transportation. Regular buses connect Aberfeldy with Pitlochry, from where you can take a train to Aviemore or Inverness, and with Perth, from where you can catch trains to Glasgow and Dundee.
Aberfeldy became Scotland’s first Fair Trade Town in 2002. Because the area’s retailers and attractions make efforts to promote fair trade, organic, and environmentally friendly products, it is a great place to shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Housed in a former watermill, Aberfeldy Watermill is a bookshop, café, and gallery and one of the town’s best shopping destinations, as is Artisanand, a contemporary gallery showcasing Scottish arts and crafts.
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Yes, Aberfeldy is worth a visit. The town has a scenic setting on the River Tay and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, including boating, white water rafting, canyoning, stand-up paddle boarding, and mountain biking. History lovers will enjoy Aberfeldy’s historical attractions, including the 16th-century Castle Menzies and the Black Watch memorial.
...MoreAberfeldy was made famous by Robert Burns, whose 1787 poem The Birks of Aberfeldy was inspired by the town’s birch trees and Falls of Moness waterfall. Aberfeldy is also known for the single malt whisky used in Dewar’s blend, made from water from the Pitilie Burn stream that runs alongside the distillery.
...MoreThe River Tay runs through Aberfeldy. The 119-mile (192-kilometer) Tay is Scotland’s longest river and home to internationally significant populations of salmon and otter and is reputed as one of Scotland’s best angling rivers. Aberfeldy is one of the best places to get onto the Tay, with excellent opportunities for canoeing, white water rafting, and many other watersports.
...MoreAllow 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the Birks of Aberfeldy walk. The circular walk is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) through dense woodland of birch, oak, elm, and ash trees to the roaring waters of the Falls of Moness. There are a few steep climbs along the way. The path is well maintained, but you’ll need suitable, sturdy footwear.
...MoreEdinburgh Airport is the closest airport to Aberfeldy. The town is around 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Edinburgh Airport, and the drive typically takes about 90 minutes. Getting from the airport to Aberfeldy by public transportation is time-consuming (around four hours) as you must change buses at least twice.
...MoreYes. Aberfeldy Distillery is open year-round and offers a variety of guided tours that introduce visitors to the history and production of the single malt whisky at the heart of Dewar’s blend. After a tour, visitors can enjoy a whisky tasting from the John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium, fill their bottles from hand-selected casks, and drink in the Whisky Bar.
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