open secret

Secluded in stunning Perthshire countryside, Secret Bothy is perfect for visitors who want to follow sporting, historic, cultural or outdoor pursuits. Open Secret gives you a glimpse of what the district offers. It is usually teeming with possibilities.  

Throughout the year, there are lots of activities which require little formal organisation such as walking, climbing, cycling, golf and sightseeing. The cottage has a huge stock of maps, books and information that will not fail to inspire. Red letter days are marked in the calendar. These are events which may require booking or have fixed timetables.

Secret Bothy is located on the battlefield where Jacobites and government troops clashed in 1689. It was one of the bloodiest events in Scottish history, spawning legends, folklore and an industry in heritage tourism. The nearby National Trust for Scotland visitor centre is the starting point of the Jacobite Trail. 

Castles, forts, tower houses and strongholds are all here. Blair Castle – a Cinderella Castle lookalike – and surrounding Atholl Estates is one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions and the first stop on the Castle Trail. Huntingtower Castle, then called Ruthven Castle, is where Mary Queen of Scots honeymooned and Lochleven Castle is where she was imprisoned. Drummond Castle, near Crieff, boasts some of the finest formal gardens in Europe that are open from May to October.  They have been used as film locations for Rob Roy and Outlander. Castle Menzies at Weem gives great insight into 500 years of Highland heritage.

If whisky is your thing, there are 5 distilleries within easy reach: Blair Athol (Pitlochry), Edradour (Pitlochry), Dewar’s (Aberfeldy), Glenturret (Crieff) and Dalwhinnie.

Secret Bothy is surrounded by munros, corbetts and grahams and yet still offers plenty of relatively flat walking that is easily accessed. White water, wild water and adventure activities in water or land are available through qualified companies, established nearby. Trick horseriding lessons can be arranged with daredevil Riders of the Storm; and the International Horse Trials at Blair Castle are a magnet for all equestrian fans.

Want to run, ski, cycle, mountain bike, fish, shoot or play golf? Interested in wildlife, birds or natural history? Need to know about concerts of classical music, the Poetry Path or what’s on at Pitlochry Festival Theatre? How far is it to the V & A Dundee? Tell us what you would like to know before arrival and we will help.