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Original poster

Retirement in pitlochry

43 replies

Shouldidoity · 26/06/2023 23:04

Has anyone retired to Pitlochry and if so how did it work out? I am thinking about it and not sure .

OP posts:
BridportSpectacular · 27/06/2023 07:23

I love that bit of the world but I would worry about is there enough to do? And healthcare…it’s a wee way to the next big hospital. And the winters are long….

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 27/06/2023 07:26

You might need to add a bit more info.
Where do you live now? Why do you want to move there?

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 08:47

We would be moving from Edinburgh. We hadn’t intended to move North, we had intended to move South to be nearer two of our children and only grandchild. The issue is a particular house which has sentimental associations for the family is going to be sold in the coming months. We would only move for that house.
We have an adult child in Edinburgh too who is vulnerable so we are worried about being too far away.
I am worried about the lack of things of things to do in Pitlochry as it seems pretty dead. However it is a beautiful area and we do know it well. There is a cinema in Aberfeldy and more going on in Dunkeld.

I’m worried we will feel isolated and bored, though we do know some people there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 08:47

Perth hospital isn’t too far away and the doctor is very good.

OP posts:
largeagegapWLW · 27/06/2023 08:49

What are the public transport routes like? Is there a railway station?

Those would influence me most.

pricklythistles · 27/06/2023 09:13

My in laws live in Dunkeld, have done for years. They have a very varied and active social life, which, granted, is based on long term friendships, but there does seem to be a lot on offer in the area to suit most interests. The Birman Institute always has things going on, and there are lots of classes on offer.
I don't know Pitlochry as well as Dunkeld and Birman but I hear my MiL talk about it a lot and she frequently whizzes up the road to Pitlochry to do things.
I think there are prob worse places to move to to be honest and you are only 1.5 hours away from Edinburgh if you need to pop back by car (or train or bus).

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 09:40

pricklythistles · 27/06/2023 09:13

My in laws live in Dunkeld, have done for years. They have a very varied and active social life, which, granted, is based on long term friendships, but there does seem to be a lot on offer in the area to suit most interests. The Birman Institute always has things going on, and there are lots of classes on offer.
I don't know Pitlochry as well as Dunkeld and Birman but I hear my MiL talk about it a lot and she frequently whizzes up the road to Pitlochry to do things.
I think there are prob worse places to move to to be honest and you are only 1.5 hours away from Edinburgh if you need to pop back by car (or train or bus).

That’s great to know!

OP posts:
Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 09:41

largeagegapWLW · 27/06/2023 08:49

What are the public transport routes like? Is there a railway station?

Those would influence me most.

There is a train station in Pitlochry with direct route to London and lots of buses from the town going all over the place as it’s on the route to Inverness .

OP posts:
Huckleberries73 · 27/06/2023 09:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

GOODCAT · 27/06/2023 09:48

I don't know Pitlochry but I wouldn't retire anywhere for a specific house, only a location that works in terms of being near enough to family, friends and things I want to do ideally both in early and later retirement.

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 09:51

GOODCAT · 27/06/2023 09:48

I don't know Pitlochry but I wouldn't retire anywhere for a specific house, only a location that works in terms of being near enough to family, friends and things I want to do ideally both in early and later retirement.

Yes you are probably right .

OP posts:
Babdoc · 27/06/2023 10:01

Judging by the demographics in Pitlochry, everybody who lives there is retired!
My DDs, when at school in Perth, had to go to Pitlochry to do a survey for a geographical project. They were meant to get people from each age group to answer a questionnaire, but couldn’t find anyone under 60.

When I go to the Festival theatre there, (which is v good, btw), every head in the audience is either grey or bald.
So on the plus side, OP, you will have a massive peer group of potential friends!
On the minus - long cold winters, and the horrors of driving on the A9 to get anywhere. And after living in Edinburgh, it really will feel like the back end of nowhere. Great if you like hill climbing, golf, fishing. Not so good if you want the wide choice of cultural pursuits available in a city.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/06/2023 13:23

I like Pitlochry, but I couldn't imagine moving there from Edinburgh when I retire. Come retirement age I want lots of facilities, health care and amenities on my doorstop along with excellent and frequent public transport services in case I'm not able to drive.

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 27/06/2023 13:28

I do have that already but I hate the traffic, constant roadworks, pollution, noise, over crowding and the nightmare that is the Festival. I don’t enjoy going into town anymore either.

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/06/2023 14:32

I’m from a bit further north.
Things to consider
Winter goes on forever and it’s REALLY cold, lots of snow.

As mentioned the A9 is horrendous.

And because I’m greedy and like cooking.. I think the nearest proper supermarket is in Blairgowrie and there’s just a Co-op in Pitlochry which would drive me mad.

Im sure people love it but for me, similar to where I live, I like it for a visit… I couldn’t live there.

I wouldn’t move just because you’ve seen a half decent house. I think a lot of people really underestimate how much of a shift moving from a city to a really small town actually is in terms of lifestyle/ distance to amenities etc

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/06/2023 14:32

That should say similar to where I’m from! I live in England now

FraterculaArctica · 27/06/2023 14:37

I have a relative who did the move the other way on retirement... for the facilities of Ed and the better public transport

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 28/06/2023 13:32

Is she glad she did it?

OP posts:
PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 28/06/2023 17:48

I wouldn't move somewhere for a house with sentimental associations. I'd choose the place I'd like to live, and then find the right house (subject to limits of affordability obviously).

FraterculaArctica · 29/06/2023 15:37

Shouldidoity · 28/06/2023 13:32

Is she glad she did it?

Yes seems to be. She's on her own with no family within a few hundred miles, so it was a very pragmatic move.

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 29/06/2023 16:36

FraterculaArctica · 29/06/2023 15:37

Yes seems to be. She's on her own with no family within a few hundred miles, so it was a very pragmatic move.

Show quote history

Ah yes I can see why she did it then.

OP posts:
birdglasspen · 01/07/2023 20:29

My mum retired there. She’s in a walking, dancing and litterpicking group…not all at the same time! She likes the walks in and around Pitlochry. Not so keen on the winters with snow and steep hill up to
house. She swims at Aberfeldys pool.Has no issue with dr, dental services. Not a great choice for food shopping and mostly tourist shops in Main Street.

Original poster
Shouldidoity · 01/07/2023 20:53

birdglasspen · 01/07/2023 20:29

My mum retired there. She’s in a walking, dancing and litterpicking group…not all at the same time! She likes the walks in and around Pitlochry. Not so keen on the winters with snow and steep hill up to
house. She swims at Aberfeldys pool.Has no issue with dr, dental services. Not a great choice for food shopping and mostly tourist shops in Main Street.

Yes. Food shopping is best done in perth a couple of times a month. May I ask where she moved from?

OP posts:
25sheets · 01/07/2023 21:01

Remember in the summer it's overrun with tourists. I'd hate that but the countryside is lovely. Spent many weekends at Bunrannoch House Hotel when the wonderful Skeapings ran it.

BrightBlueSea · 01/07/2023 23:23

My parents early retired there a few decades ago from Edinburgh.
It was fine when they were younger. There are lots of clubs, walks etc. Scenery is lovely.

However now that they are older, it's not so good. When one of my parents was ill (heart attack) the emergency ambulance from Perth took nearly an hour to arrive. They now regularly have to travel to hospital in Perth and Dundee for routine appointments.

Another consideration is that it is increasingly (like Edinburgh) rather overrun with tourists mostly in the summer but actually busy all year round.

There is no decent shopping in the town. The coop is dire. Shops are mostly tourist shops. Taxis are hard to come by. It is at least on a decent train line.

Also much of the town is built on the hill. When the weather is bad my elderly parents are pretty much trapped in their house.

Remember that when you can't drive any more, you'll be reliant on other people.

They've seen quite a few of their friends move back to more populated areas.

They want to move back to Edinburgh, but they've left it too late.

I wouldn't do it. Sorry.