'Gorgeous' UK winter staycation destination is perfect for 'amazing' walks

Pitlochry is a fantastic destination for winter walks. The area around the Scottish town has walks to suit all abilities with glorious scenery around every corner.

If you are looking for a staycation to enjoy a holiday break this autumn, a Scottish town may be just what you are looking for.

The location was among the top travel destinations last year in a list compiled by booking platform Airbnb.

Then an English seaside town was first, but Pitlochry in the Perth and Kinross area, was second travel destination on the list.

It is near the Cairngorms National Park and was trending destination last year.

The Express reports that in Gaelic, Pitlochry translates as ‘Cattle Settlement’.

But it’s best known for its dam and fish ladder which sees 5,000 salmon pass through its 34 pools annually.

Its visitor centre isn’t open everyday in winter months, but there are several special openings to look out for.

Pitlochry is a fantastic destination for winter walks. The area around the Scottish town has walks to suit all abilities with glorious scenery around every corner.

The Falls of Bruar are one of the most picturesque spots in the area. ‘1Michellej925’ wrote on Tripadvisor: “This was a beautiful hike. The falls and scenery were gorgeous.”

‘Dawn M’ said: “Whenever I’m in the area, I love a walk up Bruar Falls. It’s an amazing walk, and you can get great shots of the falls, especially from the bridges.”

Faskally Woods come alive with lights during the autumn Enchanted Forest festival but the woods are a beautiful spot for a walk in any season.

‘Laura M’ wrote on Tripadvisor: “Beautiful location. Great for walks or cycling or dog walking or even taking photographs. Lovely scenery.”

In the nearby village of Moulin, on the northern outskirts of Pitlochry, tourists will find the start of walks up Ben-y-Vrackie mountain. The village also has a colourful history and there’s even a crusader’s grave in the churchyard.

If the weather’s bad, tourists can check out some of the town’s individual shops with cashmere and local jewellery top of the shopping list.

The town goes back t Victorian times and was developed into a tourist resort after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the area in 1842 and bought a highland estate at Balmoral, while the arrival of the railway in 1863 cemented its position as a tourist destination.

It is particularly known for its Pitlochry Festival Theatre and is surrounded by mountains such as Ben Vrackie and Schiehallion.

The late Queen and her spouse weren't the only famous faces to frequent the area, as Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at Fishers Hotel in June 1881 with his wife Fanny and mother.

The party then moved to Kinnaird Cottage in nearby Moulin. Here Stevenson worked on Thrawn Janet (1881), The Merry Men (1882) and The Body Snatcher (1884)