Loch Tummel & Queen's View

West of Pitlochry, the road along Loch Tummel leads to Queen's View, one of the most photographed vantage points in Scotland, looking down the length of the loch towards the distinctive cone of Schiehallion.

Queen's View takes its name from Queen Victoria, who visited the spot in 1866, although the viewpoint had reportedly been admired and named long before that visit. From the viewpoint, the loch stretches away to the west with the peak of Schiehallion framed at the far end, and a visitor centre sits at the site today. Loch Tummel itself was altered by hydro-electric works in the 20th century, which raised its water level as part of the wider Tummel valley hydro scheme, though its wooded shoreline and the views along it remain much as generations of visitors have described them.

Tay Forest Park

The hillsides above the loch, on the Pitlochry side, form part of Tay Forest Park, a large area of managed woodland and forest trails run by Forestry and Land Scotland. Paths through the forest connect several viewpoints besides Queen's View itself, and the mix of conifer plantation and older native woodland gives the area a different character to the open moorland further into the glens. The loch-side road is single-track in places, so a visit here tends to be an unhurried, scenic drive rather than a quick stop.

Where to Stay near Loch Tummel & Queen's View

There's no town at the loch itself, so most genuine hotel options are a little further along the road, around Strathtummel, Tummel Bridge and Kinloch Rannoch.

• 
  The Inn at Loch Tummel — former coaching inn a few miles from Queen's View, overlooking the loch
• 
  Loch Tummel Hotel — in Tummel Bridge, further along the loch
• 
  Loch Rannoch Hotel — in Kinloch Rannoch, with views towards Schiehallion
• 
  Dunalastair Hotel Suites — on the village square in Kinloch Rannoch

Getting around

Queen's View and Loch Tummel are best reached by car from Pitlochry, a short drive along the B8019, which continues on along the loch shore towards Kinloch Rannoch. There's no rail service directly to the loch, so most visitors base themselves in Pitlochry and drive out for the day.