Dunkeld vs Pitlochry or elsewhere in Perthshire?

I stayed in Dunkeld on my last visit to the area some years ago , however accommodation there is limited . as you've noticed . I'll be in that area ( a month in Scotland this coming Autumn ) . This visit I'll be staying in Ptlochry for four days to enjoy the area again . This is the hotel I've booked - https://www.athollpalace.com/ Keep in mind that there are many other choices in Pitlochry. that are quite good . My hotel choices in my dotage are guided by my ongoing need for a fitness installation ( cardio equipment - bike and treadmill ) since I religiously work out early every morning to maintain my health . If you think of staying in Aviemore for a bit , visits to Grantown on Spey and Tomintoul are well worth the time . I've booked a MacDonald hotel in Aviemore for my sojourn there . You will be well rewarded visiting the East Neuk and the fishing villages along the coast , they are beautiful and each has a different characteristic ( Crail , Anstruther , Pittenweem , St Monans ) go slowly , take your time there .

A few years back we stayed one night in Pitlochry. We walked to Edradour distillery and had a wonderful tour and tasting. I seem to recall that we enjoyed dinner too, but I have no idea where we ate. The next day we stopped in Dunkeld and enjoyed walking around there too. Dunkeld had some great pastry places; I can't speak to restaurants, but we thought it looked like a great place to stay. Probably can't go wrong with either one.

Thank you both, I appreciate your insights!

Steven, after reading 'take your time' in the Fife towns and my instinct to get there as early as we can, I'm now thinking we should perhaps, spend the day entire enjoying the drive down from Inverness, with stops along the way...but continuing the drive and finding a place to stay in Crail. That way we could wake up already there and have full day to take in the towns, including Culross, before returning our rental car to the airport.

I actually think that's quite a good idea to go straight through to Fife. if you're in September you'll still have quite long evenings.

One further consideration - Inverness to Fife is about 150 miles . Other than Motorways ( M roads ) , B roads and even some A roads can be winding and slow ( for a number of reasons .) An early start is essential , and pacing is important so you don't get too off track , both literally and figuratively

we stayed in Dunkeld last summer on the way from Inverness to EDI. we stayed at the Birnham Hotel across the river and walked into town for dinner and a whisky. hotel was out of Fawlty Towers - hilariously rude waiter and water stained ceiling. probably grand in its day. still fun. gorgeous creek side walk through ancient oaks.

Thanks again!
I appreciate the thumbs up for the drive through to Crail, isn31c!

And, Steven, thanks for the reminder regarding time management. I've planned lots of trips in the past, but Scotland feels a bit trickier, due to realistically monitoring driving times.

next year we plan to stay in Culross, mainly because of the Red Lion Inn story. it was a set in Outlander and when it was put on the market, a crowdsourced group, including actors, bought it. it is apparently quite difficult to get a table. we plan an Isle of May excursion from Anstuther, and Culross gives us a hour of progress towards Islay after the cruise.

I've stayed in both Dunkeld and Pitlochry. I liked both, but for different reasons. I chose Pitlochry as I had ticket to hear Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham in concert at the Festival Theatre. It was fantastic and as other have pointed out there is the distillery which can be walking distance from you lodging. Also, there is the Explores' Garden over near the Theatre which is really interesting. It was mostly Scottish explorers who brought back many of those interesting plants you find in English and Scottish Gardens. It has to be over ten year old now and so the Garden is filling in nicely.

But I love Dunkeld. There are the walks in the immediate area that can be short--perfect for stretching your legs after a car ride. I also enjoy the other parts of Dunkeld. The Cathedral has interesting history. The Scottish Church was based in Dunkeld in the Middle Ages for a while--moved the relics out of reach of raiding Vikings. I like the little shops that have sprung up and I love that I can always find some session music--either in the hotels or at The Taybank. I've stayed at The Royal Dunkeld. The rooms were a bit 1980s perhaps but lots of room. I've also stayed at The Bridge when it was a B&B.. Now you have to fix your own breakfast. The management at Atholl Arms were very helpful to me when I wasn't staying there and needed to rest in their lobby for an hour. I've thought about staying at the Taybank but haven't.

I would stay in Pitlochry if there was something on at the Festival Theatre. Look! Aly Bain is back Sept. 3. Otherwise I am pulled to Dunkeld every time.

Thanks, Pam...fellow NYC'er.

These suggestions are all so very helpful.