The Victorians were the first great generation of tourists, and once the railways began to open up the British Isles, many more places became increasingly popular. Coastal resorts in particular received increased patronage, and if royalty was involved, then it really put these places on the map. Prince Albert was a driving force during his lifetime, and it was his decision to built a home on the Isle of Wight for the Queen that laid the foundations for the popularity of the island. Queen Victoria remarked that “it was impossible to imagine a prettier spot”, although she had already had many happy holidays on the island, and the area was well known to her.
The coastal resorts were not the only beneficiaries of this increased popularity, and there were places further inland that also gained a new found popularity. Church Stretton found itself nicknamed “Little Switzerland”, and the Georgian spa towns became increasingly prosperous as Victorians “took the waters”.
Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross, was one such place that was really put on the tourism map, particularly as a result of events in 1842 and 1863. On the first date, Queen Victoria paid a visit when she was in the early part of her time on the throne.
The country was experiencing the growth engendered by the first part of the Industrial Revolution. This would lead to the beginning of a golden era for Britain, and the young monarch’s “Grand Tours” were to be part of Victorian social life. After her 1842 visit, she was said to hold a “favourable opinion” of Pitlochery, and that really ensured that the town was put firmly on the tourism launch pad.
The arrival of the railway in 1863 truly opened the flood gates, and from that time onwards Pitlochry has had a tourism industry that has punched above its weight.
You can still find fine examples of the original expansion in places such as the Atholl Palace Hotel and the Knockendarroch House Hotel, both of which will give you an idea of what accommodation was favoured by your average upper class Victorian tourist.
Pitlochry occupies a delightful place alongside the River Tummel, a tributary of the River Tay. Queen Victoria was obviously back again in 1866, because she had another “favourable opinion”, this time of Loch Tummel. There is a view that is known as “The Queen's View” which was a favourite of hers.
Not a place to stand still, Pitlochry became a burgh in 1947, and at that time they started construction of the Tummel Hydro-Electric power scheme. As a consequence of this, the town gained another interesting attraction, namely the dam and the fish ladder. 1951 saw the advent of the Festival Theatre, albeit initially in a tent. It celebrated its 60th anniversary a couple of years ago and the cleverly promoted, “Stay Six Days, See Six Plays” is tremendously popular, leading to upwards of 60,000 visitors every summer.
Give Pitlochery a chance to win your heart as it once did with one of our greatest monarchs. This is an area of great walking, cycling, fishing, water sports and golf. Attractions such as Rannoch Moor, Blair Castle, Queen's View, and the Explorer's Garden as well as the Highland Fling Bungee jump will fill your holiday calendar, and you will undoubtedly leave the area with a “favourable opinion” of Pitlochry!
http://www.pitlochry.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment