Heart 200 Itinerary
Heart 200 Route by Motorhome & Campervan
The Heart 200 Route is a touring route of approximately 200 miles around Perthshire, Stirling and The Trossachs – the very heart of Scotland. With the nearest starting point of Stirling only 30 minutes from the Atlas depot, what better way to explore Scotland and experience what it has to offer than in your motorhome hire.
For Facebook users, there is an extremely useful group which you can join; Heart 200 Interest and views en route. This group offers hundreds of suggestions of where to go in your motorhome, what to do, the best views, stop overs in your campervan and the opportunity to ask questions of its 13,500+ members.
Outline of Route by Day
Day 1 – Motorhome Hire Collection Day
When you pick up your campervan hire from the Atlas Depot in Glasgow our handover procedure should take no longer than 15 minutes. Your first stop for the night will be Stirling, your starting point for the Heart 200. Take the M8 out of Glasgow following the signs for Stirling M80.
If you haven’t brought food and drink supplies with you, there are a couple of stops on route where you can stop:-
Asda Robroyston, Glasgow G33 1AD – 10 mins from Atlas
Tesco Superstore, Stirling FK8 1NP – 30 mins from Atlas
Now you’ve got your motorhome all stocked up, it’s time to set up camp for the night and start your motorhome adventure. Many of our previous motorhome hire customers have stayed at Witches Craig. If you choose to stay there, there is a gate at the rear of the park, which gives you access to the many Ochil Hill walks or if you fancy something a little less strenuous, turn left towards Logie Kirk. Legend has it that a coven of witches used to live in the hills behind the ruins of Logie Kirk.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during Scottish summertime, with it’s long days where it doesn’t get dark until 11pm, then continue your walk along towards the Wallace Monument, which sits on Abbey Craig hill. It overlooks where William Wallace (remember Braveheart!) led his troops to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
On route back to the campsite is Stirling University campus, set within the Airthrey Castle estate. Access is permitted here for the many woodland walks and if you’re feeling more energetic, join locals or the sports degree students for a run round Loch Airthrey.
Things to See & Do
Ochil Hills
Logie Kirk
University of Stirling
Places to Eat
Blairmains Farm Shop & Coffee Bothy
Corrieri’s Fish & Chips
Blair Drummond Smiddy
Where to Stay
Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park
The Blair Drummond Caravan Park
Daily Estimated Travel Time
40 mins
Day 2 – Stirling to Perth
As you drove your campervan yesterday, you’ll have seen Stirling Castle sitting majestically on the cliff side. You’ll not be able to take your campervan in to Stirling city centre, so if you’re staying at Witches Craig, you can walk into town, which would take you approximately 1 hour or for either campsite you can drive your motorhome to the Castleview Park and Ride and take the bus in.
For the kids you’ve a couple of entertainment options; Blair Drummond Safari Park or Briarlands Farm. Both are great fun for all the family and can easily keep everybody occupied for half a day.
Now start your campervan route north taking time to drive through Dunblane. Stop to see Dunblane Cathedral and keep your eyes peeled in the High Street for Andy Murray’s Gold Royal Mail post box, which was painted gold after his singles win over Roger Federer in 2012.
Your next campervan stop is Comrie Croft, located at the foot of Ben Chonzie. Here you can explore the many woodland walking paths or shred your MTB through 18km of trails, earning a well-deserved cake and coffee in the Tea Garden café at the end.
It’s now a short drive via Crieff to Drummond Castle, which has one Scotland’s most impressive formal gardens dating back to the 17th Century. If you’re an Outlander fan you may remember them depicted as the Gardens of Versailles.
For the golfer’s amongst us, our campervan route now takes us past Gleneagles. You may even have packed your clubs to partake in a round at one of the greatest golf resorts in the Scotland.
From Gleneagles you can chose whether to head straight up the A9 to Perth or take the longer route via Kinross. Visit Lochleven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned for many years. It’s a 10 minute boat ride to the castle where you can explore it’s history.
If you’re staying at Noah’s Ark campsite, it’s situated right next door to a golf driving range and also a karting & ten pin bowling centre, if you fancied trying any of these activities before settling down for the night.
Things to See & Do
Dunblane Cathedral
Andy Murray’s Gold Royal Mail Box Post
Drummond Castle
Lochleven Castle
Places to Eat
Tea Garden Café, Comrie Croft
Balgedie Toll Tavern, Kinross
Where to Stay
Noah’s Ark Caravan Park, Perth
Scone Camping & Caravaning Club
Daily Estimated Travel Time
2hrs 30mins
Day 3 – Perth to Dunkeld
Start your day at Scone Palace, one of Scotland’s most important stately homes and crowning place of Macbeth and Robert The Bruce, Kings of Scots.
If you had time to spare, you could tackle the Cateran Trail, but today take a leisurely couple of hours to walk the start of it, Cagill’s Leap and the Knockie, following the River Ericht upstream passed old mills and waterfalls.
Cargill’s Bistro in Blairgowrie is lovely for lunch and there are also a number of other cafes or a Tesco Superstore, if you’d prefer to stock up your motorhome with goodies.
Drive through the beautiful Perthshire countryside towards Dunkeld, your motorhome stop for tonight. Dunkeld, often referred to as the gateway to the Highlands, is located on the banks of the River Tay and has numerous walks to enjoy. The Hermitage walk is a stunning area through woodland towards the waterfalls and picturesque viewpoint, which can be extended to be a circular walk. Also take time to explore the area around Dunkeld Cathedral and walk along the banks of the River Tay to the Birnam Oak, one of Scotland’s oldest trees at around 600 years.
Things to See & Do
Dunkeld Cathedral
Birnam Oak
Beatrix Potter Exhibition
Places to Eat
Cargill’s Bistro, Blairgowrie
Strathardle Inn, Kirkmichael
The Clootie Dumpling Café, Dunkeld
Where to Stay
Invermill Farm, Dunkeld
Daily Estimated Travel Time
1hr 30mins
Day 4 – Dunkeld to Pitlochry / Blair Atholl
The distance between Dunkeld and Blair Atholl is only 20 miles, however, there is so much to see and do on this stretch of the Heart200 it really is worthwhile taking a break from driving and taking the time to appreciate everything this area has to offer.
Firstly, there is Pitlochry, famous for the Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to spot the salmon leaping upstream using the 34 separate pools. The best time of year to see them is in late summer / autumn either early in the morning or in the evening.
If you’re partial to a wee dram, why not visit Edradour Distillery, the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland. There is an option to go to their tasting bar or add on a tour of the distillery itself, where the fun and knowledgeable tour guides will tell you all about Edradour’s history and the whisky making process.
If you fancy being entertained for a bit, why not book to see a show at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Throughout the summer there are both matinee and evening performances and there’s a lovely gift shop and café with tremendous views over the River Tummel.
A must walk if you decide to stay in this area for a few days is Ben Vrackie. It is an excellent walk with beautiful scenery and great views.
If you want to combine a spot of luxury shopping with a walk, stop off at House of Bruar. Their car park is enormous, so you’ll have no problem parking your motorhome there. Follow the path behind Bruar to the Falls. The scenery is stunning and the walk should take you no more than an hour. Treat yourself to a well earned coffee and cake at the House of Bruar café at the end. We challenge you to resist buying anything at their deli and suggest saving some of your holiday budget to buy a few treats to eat in the comfort of your campervan.
The area around Blair Castle is great for walking and the castle and it’s gardens are well worth a visit. If you choose to stay at the Blair Castle Caravan Park, you can walk from their grounds directly into the castle grounds or in the other direction, access the walkways alongside the River Tilt.
Things to See & Do
Pitlochry Dam & Visitor Centre
Places to Eat
Port-Na-Craig, Pitlochry (dog friendly)
Mackays, Pitlochry (dog friendly)
The Atholl Arms, Blair Atholl (dog friendly)
Blair Atholl Watermill & Tearoom
Where to Stay
Milton of Fonab, Pitlochry
Faskally, Pitlochry
Blair Castle Caravan Park, Blair Atholl
Daily Estimated Travel Time
1hr
Day 5 – Pitlochry / Blair Atholl to Aberfeldy
Leaving from Pitlochry or Blair Atholl take the B8019 towards Loch Tummel. Take your time driving along this road in your campervan, as it can be narrow in places. Stop off at Queen’s View visitors centre, which has breathtaking views over Loch Tummel and good parking for your motorhome.
At the end of the road turn left along the B846 towards Kenmore and Aberfeldy. To your right you’ll be able to see Schielhallion, one of Scotland’s famous Munros. It is known to be one of the easier munros to climb, so if you’ve got the correct hillwalking gear and fancy ticking a munro off your bucket list, then why not take a day out to enjoy the beauty and solace of this hill.
Again if you’ve time to spare, it is worth staying overnight at the Glengoulandie motorhome site and cycling along Glen Lyon. From the campsite head towards Fortingall and onwards to Bridge of Balgie. Fortingall is a lovely little village, which has an ancient yew tree, protected within the church grounds, thought to be between 2000 and 9000 years old and is perhaps the oldest living tree in Europe. If your cycle requires an incentive, there is an absolute gem of a tea room at Bridge of Balgie, which serves welcome refreshments and sets you up for the cycle back.
Just outside Aberfeldy, Castle Menzies is a fascinating sixteenth century castle, containing some excellent displays on the history of the castle, it’s inhabitants and the local area. The views from the top are worth the climb.
The Tay Bridge, otherwise known as General Wade’s Bridge, was built in 1733, as a military road. From there, there are lovely walks along the banks of River Tay for easy walking or mountain biking.
Things to See & Do
Queen’s View
Castle Menzies, Aberfeldy
General Wade’s Bridge, Aberfeldy
Places to Eat
The Watermill Bookshop, Gallery & Café, Aberfeldy
The Weem Inn, Aberfeldy
Three Lemons, Aberfeldy
Where to Stay
Glengoulandie Camping & Caravaning
Daily Estimated Travel Time
1hr 30mins
Day 6 – Aberfeldy to Callander / Balloch & Onwards towards Glasgow
We’re now on the last leg of our motorhome trip of the Heart 200. If you’re looking to do some hill climbing or cycle the No 7 cycle route or Loch Katrine then we would recommend taking a couple of days to complete this stretch of your adventure, as there’s still so much to do.
Leaving Aberfeldy, take the A827 through Kenmore towards Killin. Half way between Kenmore and Killin sits Ben Lawyers, the 10th highest Munro in Scotland.
At you enter Killin, immediately after the Caravan & Motorhome Club site, take a left at Pier Road and park up your campervan. Then take a walk down that road, which will take you to the ruin of Finlairg Castle. Rather than drive any further, leave your campervan where it is and walk into Killin to view the stunning Falls of Dochart.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can cycle from Killin to Callander along the popular National Cycle Route 7. If you choose to do this you’ll cycle across the Glenogle Viaduct, which can also be seen from the A85 on your journey south towards Aberfoyle. You can also stop off to visit Rob Roy’s grave at Balquidder (we wouldn’t recommend this by motorhome, as parking is limited).
If you’ve plenty time, take a right just before Callander towards Aberfoyle. Along here you’ll find walking for all abilities from the challenging Ben Venue or Ben An to easier forestry walks through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. There’s also Loch Katrine where you can enjoy walking, cycling and a boat ride on the paddle steamer SS Sir Walter Scott.
At Aberfoyle, you’ll find the popular “Go Ape”, an adventure activity venue where you can explore the forest canopy from a treetop rope course, as well as The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, where you can begin varying levels of walks through the forest. There is ample car parking here.
From Aberfoyle you can choose whether to travel to Callander or to Balloch. We would recommend stopping overnight in either place to allow yourself to get packed and organised before handing your vehicle back to us in the morning.
Things to See & Do
Finlairg Castle, Killin
Falls of Dochart, Killin
National Cycle Route 7
Glenogle Viaduct
Rob Roy’s Grave, Balquidder
Loch Katrine
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre
Go Ape, Aberfoyle
Bracklinn Falls, Callander
Places to Eat
The Falls of Dochart Inn, Killin (dog friendly)
Venachar Lochside
The Byre Inn, Brig o’ Turk
The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle (dog friendly)
The Lade Inn, Callander (dog friendly)
Where to Stay
Lomond Woods Holiday Park, Balloch
Daily Estimated Travel Time
2.5hrs