Overlooking the long Loch Tummel, the Queen’s View Scotland is one of the most famous panoramas in the area of Pitlochry (also known as Queen’s view Pitlochry).
It has been a popular destination since the Victorian times.
Below is my guide to visiting the lookout and discovering more of the loch.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William
My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe
My favorite places to stay:
- Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
- Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
- Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
- Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel
Why visit Loch Tummel and the Queen’s view Scotland?
Loch Tummel is a stunning and mostly wild loch North of Edinburgh.
It is easy to access and offers mesmerizing Scottish landscapes.
And it is famous for its lookout platform: The Queen’s View, one of the most famous attractions in Scotland.
Here is the reason:
Why is it called the Queen’s View?
It is thought that the view was originally named after the first wife of Robert the Bruce, Isabella of Mar.
She fled to this area during the wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th century.
The funny thing is that Queen Victoria, who visited in 1866, thought the view was named for her.
A collection of Queen’s views
Note that there are other locations that are referred to as the Queen’s view in Aberfoyle (in a forest park), Glasgow (in the Whangie) and Aberlour (on a walking path above a loch).However this one is the official one for Scotland.
More photos after the planning tips
PLANNING TIPS & Map – Loch Tummel, Scotland
Getting to the Queen’s View Location – Map
- Located North of Edinburgh
- And South of the Cairngorms National Park
- And East of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
- To reach The Queen’s View Scotland turn from the A9 to B8019 North of Pitlochry
- Pitlorchy to Queen’s View = 20min drive
- Edinburgh to Queen’s View = 2h drive
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
The GPS coordinates and locations on a practical map are available on my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Scotland road trip:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
Visit Tips
- B8019 is winding and not that large. Drive slowly as you can cross path with busses
- Access to the view is free and open all the time
- Café, visitor center and free toilets on site – opening hours in summer are 9am to 6pm
- Access to the viewing platform requires to walk only 150 meters on a wheelchair accessible path
- It is a perfect place to see the sunset
- Further hiking trails are available around
- Almost everyone goes to the lookout and turns around. I recommend you keep going along the loch to reach Loch Rannoch. See my pictures at the end.
Accommodations near Loch Tummel
- The best area for you to stay is in Pitlochry, only 20min drive away – Check out the best rated accommodations
- And the village on the opposite end of Loch Tummel is called Tummel Bridge – check out accommodation options
Need to rent a car in Scotland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Access to the Queen’s View Pitlochry – Visitor center
Road to the Queen’s View from Pitlorchy
Access to the Queen’s View is via road B8019 just North of Pitlorchy in the Perthshire.
The road is narrow but you can cross other vehicles. Just drive slowly and take your time if you face a bus.
The site is clearly indicate as ‘Queen’s View’.
Queen’s View car park and visitor center
As you approach you will see large parking area. You can’t miss it.
And across is a visitor center.
Here you can learn more about the area and its hikes.
At the visitor center you can also find a café / tearoom with drinks, ice creams and food to nibble.
There are many trails to enjoy the area called the Tay Forest Park. There are signs with maps, or you can go to the visitor center and get a free map of the region.
To reach the Queen’s Viewing Platform, it is only a 150m easy walk on a well-maintained path.
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The Queen’s View Loch Tummel
This is a famous location, so be prepared not to be alone.
It is only a very short walk to the Queen’s View.
You can find signage and explanations. The platform is secure and well maintained.
And here is the famous Queen’s View Scotland over Loch Tummel. You can see all the way to the Schiehallion mountain at the back (1083m):
You can probably now understand why this is one of the most famous lochs in Scotland.
Driving along Loch Tummel
Most people then just turn around. You can continue driving along Loch Tummel. Most of the time the loch is surrounded by trees like everywhere in Scotland, but some time you get nice views of Loch Tummel.
Loch Tummel is an 11km long and 1km wide loch. It is oriented East to West. The Queen’s View is located on the North shore, but a road offers also views from the South Shore. The pictures above were taken from the North shore.
Loch Rannoch
If you continue even further you will reach Tummel Bridge, then a small reservoir.
After 10 minutes, you will arrive at the top of Loch Rannoch where the road bends to the right. Loch Rannoch is not the most impressive of all the lochs, but I was lucky that I arrived at a moment when the clouds and the light were magnificent as you can see in the pictures below.
And continuing further along Loch Rannoch you discover some small beaches with pebbles and sand.
Loch Rannoch is a freshwater loch, 14km in length and 1km wide. Like Loch Tummel, it is oriented East to West.
If you continue on B846 to the end of Loch Rannoch, you will reach Bridge of Gaur and reach the wild Loch Laidon.
But for us, it was late, and we turned around.
Want to see more beautiful views in Scotland?
- Quiraing Viewpoint and its rock formations on the Isle of Skye – Read the article
- All the beautiful views along Glen Coe – Read the article
- The views from Calton Hill in Edinburgh – Read the article
- The Glenfinnan viewpoint on the Island Road – Read the article
Planning a trip to Scotland?
Check out my travel guide, which will help you plan your itinerary:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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