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 Dunblane Hydro is surrounded by some of the most famous castles in Scotland, and is a very short car trip to some of the very best malt whisky distilleries and visitor centres in Scotland. Here are our chosen highlights for you:
Castles
Stirling Castle
A visit to Stirling Castle is an absolutely essential part of any visit to central Scotland .
Sitting on an 80metre high, volcanic plug, you will be fascinated by a visit to Scotland's finest castle. The Visitor Centre on the Esplanade has an educational and entertaining free video show which is screened throughout the day. Stirling’s history is probably one of the most famous in the world, especially since the major motion picture ‘Braveheart’, starring Mel Gibson, was released. You can relive the movie experience with staged battle scenarios as well as other historical reconstructions laid on at the castle. These scenarios are on all through the summer as part of Stirling's tourist attractions.
Doune Castle
Doune is 8 miles South of Callander on the A84 from Stirling
Medieval castle which includes a splendid Lord's Hall with carved oak screen, musicians gallery and double fireplace, spiral staircases, a portcullis and a well. The castle is much in demand for location filming and you may have seen it before in Ivanhoe or Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Castle Campbell and Dollar Glen
The castle used to be known as Castle Gloom and is situated above two burns named Care and Sorrow. There are spectacular walks by both burns as they twist and cascade down narrow ravines. Take great care especially with young children after heavy rain and in Autumn as the paths, walkways and bridges can be slippery.
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle is an impressive 15th century stone courtyard fortress, which was used as the state prison. All the castle along with the square 15th century four storey keep was massively strengthened in the 16th century for artillery.
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace is a magnificent 15th century stone Royal fortress, encasing the remains of an earlier 12th century castle. An impressive great hall and chapel, are set around a rectangular courtyard, James V in 1512 and Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542 were
Scotch whisky Distilleries
Edradour Distillery
 Edradour is a unique, single Highland malt whisky, to be enjoyed in recognition of those small, significant moments that make up the ebb and flow of life.
Edradour is produced in Scotland's smallest distillery - and is hand made today as it was over 150 years ago by just three men who are devoted to the time-honoured methods of whisky making. Indeed equipment used at the distillery has remained unchanged since the day the distillery opened and is only just capable of producing commercial quantities. Only 12 casks of whisky are produced a week, making Edradour single malt a rare pleasure for a fortunate few.
If you manage to find it, you will be one of the few people lucky enough to experience its charm - golden in the glass, smooth and creamy with a nutty, honeyed finish.
Enjoy Life's small victories with Edradour. Only 5 minutes from the hotel!!
Blair Athol
Established in 1798 in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Blair Athol is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. The distillery produces a 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, with a mellow deep-toned aroma, a strong fruity flavour and a smooth finish.
Dewars World of Whisky
 Just an hour's drive from the hotel. A unique exhibition and interactive centre celebrates the courageous entrepreneurial spirit of the Dewar family.
Explore the story behind the top selling whisky in the States for the last fifteen years, brought to life with fascinating displays and a range of games and challenges, including a touch-screen Medal Quest and electronic Blending Challenge, as well as a triple-screen video presentation and web site where visitors can send e-postcards to anywhere in the world. Rich historical archives, from original drawings for the famously creative advertising to a desk at which Robert Burns used to write.
Combine your visit with a tour of Aberfeldy Distillery, originally established in 1986. The distillery produces Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the key ingredients in blending Dewar's White Label. The Dewar's Brand Store stocks a full range of whiskies from miniatures to limited edition single malts and a selection of memorabilia. Many gifts are exclusively available at Dewar's World of Whisky. Private VIP whisky tastings can also be arranged with the Centre Manager.
Dalwhinnie
A visit to Dalwhinnie, at 1,073 feet above sea level the highest distillery in the land, is an opportunity to sample the ‘Gentle Spirit’ of the glen.
Here you can see the distillers at work, harnessing the snow fed waters of the Allt an t’ Sluic, fresh from their journey through moorland heather, producing a full-bodied malt with a surprisingly delicate taste. And as you savour your complimentary dram of Dalwhinnie, the Highland representative of the ‘classic malts’ range, you can also enjoy a panorama unchanged since the drovers of old paused to enjoy the view and the local malt.
You’ll find the doors of the distillery in the mountains open to visitors all year round with restricted hours in the snowy depths of the highland winter.
Glenturret and the ‘Famous Grouse Experience’
Glenturret is the oldest distillery in Scotland, established in 1775 and still using traditional methods to produce and bottle single malt scotch.
Witness a terrific audio-visual display, a video called 'The water of Life' and walk through the museum portion of the distillery. There is a very good restaurant here, where you can do a quick taste test of some lovely 12 year old Scotch.
The Famous Grouse Experience, near Crieff - an all new interactive visitor centre dedicated to our feathered friend!
Distillery Tours
Yes you can, if the spirit is willing, visit all of these delights in a day. Starting at the hotel first stop is Crieff, Glenturret and the Famous Grouse Experience. Then onwards via the Sma Glen to Dewars at Aberfeldy Then after a light lunch, take a scenic drive via Kinloch Rannoch and Dalnacardoch to Dalwhinnie. Then south all the way on the A9 to Pitlochry and Blair Athol Distillery. Whilst there enjoy the Edradour experience too.
Then south to he haven which is Dunblane Hydro, only an hour away.
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