Bell tents in Loch Tummel

Long and narrow, Loch Tummel is a serene setting for boating, fishing and wildlife watching. Along the banks of the loch, one particularly attractive spot, one of Scotland’s most famous views, takes in Schiehallion’s peak and Rannoch Moor and is known as Queen's View as it is said to have been Queen Victoria's favourite spot on the route to Balmoral—although, since the construction of the Clunie Dam, the view has changed somewhat since Victoria's day. The surrounding area of Strathtummel is a particularly beautiful part of Perthshire’s “Big Tree Country” with a range of walks and cycle routes.

Loch Tummel is a year-round destination and, thanks to a well-maintained footpath, the viewpoint can be accessed all year, regardless of weather. Spring and summer see the area at perhaps its most beautiful, with often clear skies reflected in the shimmering water of the loch, but autumn, when rich colours set the landscape ablaze, is also attractive and when snow falls on the surrounding mountains, the area is transformed into a winter wonderland.

• Your own transport is preferable for reaching Loch Tummel—here is a car park close to the Queen’s View. You can reach the Queen’s View Visitor Centre by bus from Pitlochry but the service is infrequent.
• Be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code while visiting.
• Facilities at the Queens View Visitor Centre include a tearoom, shop, toilets and exhibition with a film on the history of the area.