Short birdwatching visit · National Trust for Scotland
Killiecrankie
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Summer woodland migrants and winter Dipper
- Headline birds
- Pied Flycatcher · Wood Warbler · Dipper
- Parking
- Pay-and-display parking beside the visitor centre; disabled bays are provided on both levels.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- Not stated by the operator
North of Pitlochry
Killiecrankie combines a wooded gorge with riverside watching along the River Garry. The National Trust for Scotland names Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher in summer, Nuthatch near the visitor centre and Dipper along the river in winter. Public paths lead from the visitor facilities into the pass, allowing a short woodland stop or a longer outing. The descent towards the river is steep, uneven and stepped, so the accessible visitor centre does not make the whole gorge an easy route. Choose a suitable path and pause where views of woodland or water open up.
Birds and seasons
- Pied Flycatcher · Headline bird — Summer Source for Pied Flycatcher
- Wood Warbler · Headline bird — Summer Source for Wood Warbler
- Dipper · Headline bird — Winter Source for Dipper
- Nuthatch — Season not stated Source for Nuthatch
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- Footpaths explore the pass; the approach down from the visitor centre is steep, uneven and includes steps.
- Toilets
- Toilets are available with the visitor facilities.
- Parking
- Pay-and-display parking beside the visitor centre; disabled bays are provided on both levels.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs under control and on a lead inside buildings.
- Access notes
- Visitor centre, café and toilets are on one level; gorge paths have steps.
- Step-free access
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
Getting there: Use the National Trust for Scotland visitor arrival three miles north of Pitlochry, PH16 5LQ. Follow current visitor signs from the car park to the chosen woodland or riverside route. The site is open all year; check current centre hours and parking charges before travelling.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve · 22.6 straight-line miles
- Loch of Lintrathen · 22.9 straight-line miles
- Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve · 24.4 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, 14.2 miles away in a straight line.
- The Hermitage · 14.1 miles in a straight line
- Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve · 22.6 miles in a straight line
- Loch of Lintrathen · 22.9 miles in a straight line