Hikers exploring the Scottish Highlands near Loch Tay

Things to Do

Guides, attractions, and experiences worth travelling for

Your Essential Guide

Loch Tay sits in one of the most naturally rewarding corners of Scotland. Whether you're chasing Munro summits, paddling the loch at dawn, or just looking for a good pub with a fire — here's everything we think is worth your time.

Lead story A cozy cabin with warm light glowing from within, set against a moody Scottish Highland landscape at dusk
Things To Do

9 Unique Places to Stay Around Loch Tay

Forget bland hotel rooms. The area around Loch Tay is home to some of Scotland's most imaginative places to sleep — from an underground cave house voted one of the UK's best to a riverside cottage in Killin with a roll-top bath and hot tub. Here are nine worth booking.

Explore Loch Tay·12 February 2026
Guest writers

From the community

Voices we admire writing about the places we love. Original stories and photography from mountain writers, local experts, and adventurers.

Dawn light provides a colourful backdrop for the summit cairn of Ben Lawers as sunrise nears
Guest feature

Chasing the Flower Moon on Ben Lawers

Mountain writer and photographer Alan Rowan recounts a magical night ascent of Ben Lawers to catch the Flower Moon and a perfect Highland sunrise — with a BBC Scotland film crew in tow.

Alan Rowan

Alan Rowan

munromoonwalker.com

Read the full story

Must-reads

Essential Reading

In-depth guides to the best of Loch Tay

Adventures

On the Water

The loch is 14 miles of calm freshwater waiting to be explored

Fishing boat on a calm Highland loch at sunrise

Fishing on Loch Tay

Loch Tay is one of Scotland's finest freshwater fishing destinations. From brown trout to salmon, here's everything you need to know about fishing the loch.

Read the guide
Kayaker on calm water with mountains in the background

Watersports on Loch Tay

From kayaking and SUP to sailing and wild swimming, Loch Tay offers some of Scotland's best freshwater watersports in a stunning Highland setting.

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Directory

Activities & Attractions

Bookable experiences and places to visit

Woodland waterfall cascading through a birch-lined gorge £
Heritage

Birks of Aberfeldy

Aberfeldy

Beautiful woodland walk with waterfalls that inspired Robert Burns — an easy circular route through a dramatic gorge near Aberfeldy.

Historic stone mill building beside a waterfall £
Heritage

Breadalbane Folklore Centre

Killin

Local history museum housed in the historic St Fillan's Mill, telling the stories and legends of the Breadalbane Highlands.

Historic Scottish tower house castle with turrets £
Heritage

Castle Menzies

Aberfeldy

Magnificent 16th-century Z-plan castle, lovingly restored by the Clan Menzies Society — open for tours April to October.

Whisky distillery with copper stills ££
Tour

Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery

Aberfeldy

Whisky distillery tours and tastings just 20 minutes from Loch Tay — the home of Dewar's blended Scotch.

View of Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument from the historic old town ££££
Tour

Historic Ally Tours

Stirling

Bespoke and small-group Scottish cultural tours with BBC presenter Alistair Heather — history, music, whisky, and storytelling.

Ancient gnarled yew tree in a peaceful churchyard £
Heritage

Fortingall Yew

Fortingall

One of the oldest living things in Europe — an ancient yew tree estimated at 3,000–5,000 years old, in the peaceful Fortingall churchyard.

Group of kayakers on a loch ££
Outdoor Centre

Killin Outdoor Centre & Mountain Rescue

Killin

Outdoor adventure activities including kayaking, gorge walking, and climbing — based in Killin.

Boat on a calm Scottish loch with mountain backdrop ££
Tour

Loch Tay Safaris

Killin

Guided boat tours and wildlife safaris on Loch Tay — see the loch from the water with expert local guides.

Sailing dinghies on a Scottish loch with mountains in the background ££
Watersports

Loch Tay Sailing Club

Kenmore

Dinghy and yacht sailing on the beautiful waters of Loch Tay, with visitor sessions available from the Kenmore base.

Reconstructed ancient crannog dwelling on a loch ££
Heritage

Scottish Crannog Centre

Kenmore

Award-winning open-air museum with a reconstructed Iron Age crannog on Loch Tay — one of Scotland's best heritage experiences.

Grand Gothic Revival castle surrounded by parkland £
Heritage

Taymouth Castle

Kenmore

Grand Gothic Revival castle built for the Campbells of Breadalbane — currently being developed as a luxury hotel, with grounds occasionally accessible.

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