Queen’s View near Pitlochry – a royal outlook

What a view! From the Queen’s View viewpoint you look out over Loch Tummel as it winds away through woods and hills into the distance. But why is the platform called the “Queen’s View”?

Queen Victoria arrived at the Queen’s View viewpoint dressed entirely in black. Since the death of her husband five years earlier, she had worn nothing but mourning colours, and her grief lasted a long time. But here, in the forest, with this magnificent view, she could briefly forget her worries. The spot was already called “Queen’s View” back then – and since it was common practice to name all manner of places after the reigning queen, Victoria assumed the site was named after her. After all, the queen was well liked here; her residence, Balmoral Castle, lay around 100 kilometres away.

And truly, the view from Queen’s View feels majestic: Loch Tummel stretches out here seemingly without end along a valley, until it finally appears to meet the rugged mountains of Glen Coe on the horizon. The gentle hills alongside it are partly wooded and frame the mirror-like surface of the loch beautifully.

Yet Queen Victoria – as is now believed – is not actually the one the Queen’s View is named after. For another royal had passed through here, under rather less pleasant circumstances than Victoria.

Isabella of Mar is said to have enjoyed the view here during her travels around Loch Tummel, stopping to rest each time. Isabella was the first wife of the legendary Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who had to flee from the English for a long time before he defeated his enemies at the Battle of Bannockburn (currently only available in German). It’s said that Isabella too had to go into hiding, and passed by Loch Tummel on several occasions.

Queen’s View certainly makes for a good resting spot on a journey. The nearby forest, rich in plant life, offers shade, and the exposed, elevated position above Loch Tummel allows a long view – and, if need be, spotting enemies from far off too.

There is, however, plenty that argues against the theory that Isabella is the one the place is named after. She married Robert at 18 years old and bore him a son, but died already at 19. So the two of them were only married in the year 1296. At that time, though, Robert the Bruce had no reason at all to flee, since he was still allied with the English then. Nor would he become King of Scotland for another ten years, meaning Isabella was never a “queen” either. So it seems at least doubtful that Isabella of Mar is the namesake.

But popular tradition doesn’t concern itself with accuracy, and so it’s entirely possible that Robert’s first wife was posthumously elevated to queen.

Queen Victoria, though, is fondly remembered here too. A portrait of the queen adorns the outer wall of the new visitor centre, showing her just as she posts a letter.

Good to know: About the Queen’s View Visitor Centre

The view became so famous that a visitor centre was built here. Up until June 2014, the building and exhibition were redesigned, so you can now learn indoors about trees, plants and animals. Next door, coffee and cake are served instead.

(It appears the visitor centre no longer exists, but parking is now free of charge and the view is still there.)

The viewing platform itself is only about 200 metres away and is reached via a tarmac path, which shouldn’t pose a problem for wheelchair users either, since the slopes have been laid out as gentle switchbacks.

Tips: A look at the plants along the way

The two hundred metres to the viewing platform run through a stretch of forest. Anyone who lingers there a little longer and ventures a bit deeper in will, at least in summer, be rewarded with lush vegetation. In fact, several beautiful plants can be found all around the visitor centre.

For anyone wanting to immerse themselves fully: there are also walking trails here, such as the Allean Forest Trail. It also leads to a few smaller sights, such as a fort and an old blackhouse. Here you’ll find more information about it.

Personal note: Just before the opening

We arrived here a day before the ceremonial reopening of the visitor centre – everything was still closed, but the car park was free of charge. The grounds and the paths really are well done. So even without a café or exhibition we had a great time, especially since the weather cooperated too.

Getting there:

With a sat nav: enter the postcode “PH16 5NR” and you’ll arrive right near the viewpoint. Watch for the signage there.

Without a sat nav: coming from Pitlochry, follow the main road north and pass under the A9 (if coming via the A9, take the Killiecrankie exit and then turn right immediately – there are already signs to Queen’s View there). About 1.5 kilometres further on, a road branches off to the right over a bridge, with signposts to Queen’s View already visible on the left. The road climbs uphill for a while, then the signs to the car park appear.