Retirement in pitlochry

[Shouldidoity]

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

I should say that it was actually really good for them in their 60s. My father was in clubs like Rotary and Bowling Club, and my mother was involved with the theatre.

There are lots of those types of things and they had a really good social life.

Yes, very good points. I am thinking ahead to when we start to get health problems and the touristy nature of the town really puts me off. I know the town very well.

As far as food shopping is concerned, you can get the major supermarkets to deliver to your house, once you’re too frail or can’t drive down to Perth. Waitrose in Stirling are willing to deliver 50 miles away, and I think the Dundee Sainsbugs delivers as far north as Laurencekirk, according to the drivers who serve me.
I still think you’d find Pitlochry a bit grim after Edinburgh though!

That’s useful to know.

Post in scotsnet

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I used to know Pitlochry well - did a lot of work / research in and around Highland Perthshire. Unless it's changed in the intervening years Pitlochry's population mostly consists of retirees, plus lots (lots!) of summer visitors.

It will be like most smallish, well-to-do Scottish towns. up that way. You'll always need a car. You will get snowed in at some point. There will be plenty to do on a local level as in groups to join, activities to get involved in etc but they will mostly be 'home grown' so to speak. My retired parents live in a smaller place not far from Pitlochry - they are in the local Heritage Association, a Wine Club, a Gardening club. My mum's in a Women's Group. These are all variations on a theme of meeting up in each others houses / local community hall to listen to talks / drink wine / look at each others gardens etc. I think there is also a local newsletter group and a wildlife / green group - more variations on the theme. They also spend an inordinate amount of time gardening and watching wildlife. The great majority of their neighbours are retired and pretty comfortably off, and there is a constant influx of new retired inhabitants as the older ones... shuffle off. They've lived in the village for 50+ years so are very integrated but TBH new arrivals that join the clubs / activities seem to just get swept into it all as well.

The difference in Pitlochry of course is the influx of summer visitors. I quite liked living in a touristy place when younger, as long as you have your own space to retire to - it kept the pubs busy if nothing else. But I'm not sure I'd have the patience for it now.

Goodness why on earth would you do something so big based on a house!!

lovation location location is everything!

go and be near your family

Our two family members retired to Pitlochry years ago, right in the town centre. They have a lovely big house and back garden. They've started growing their own fruit and veg.

Neighbours are super friendly and so much to do.

It's super expensive though.

My and my DP went out for breakfast one morning and I got 2 soft rolls and sausage, he had pancakes and we got two coffees and it was £35🤣 x

Waitrose in Stirling might deliver 50 miles but they don't deliver to Blairgowrie.

Just moved there from the south of England and the only thing I miss is Waitrose. Tesco will have to suffice.

My DH is 63 and retired but there is an age gap as I'm 48. Because of that, ewe didn't have to worry about old age as such as I'm there to be a taxi even is one day he has to give up driving.

I love it and, having spent years in Stirling when I was younger, am under no illusions as to the length of the winters! Would not swap cold winters and snow for regular 30 degree plus days in summer. If you're cold you can put clothes on, too hot and there is a limit to how much you can reasonably take off.

Blair Atholl? I have given up on the Pitlochry idea now.

If you want to move out of Edinburgh but not to far plus you have family further south then what about the Borders? Doesn't seem to make the best sense to move north in your circumstances

Dd lives in Blairgowrie and seems to like it,but then she's only in her 20s and does all the outdoor activity stuff in the area.

No it doesn’t . The house was one that has very particular associations otherwise I wouldn’t have considered it. The plan is now to move South as it was originally.

No, Blairgowrie

Apparently Pitlochry has an aging population which may or may not be a plus in a place you're thinking of retiring to. I wouldn't like that personally