ThingsToDoThe dam, lunch and a seasonal garden →
Allow around three to four hours on a Tuesday–Sunday during the garden season. The centre and garden close Mondays; current garden opening runs through 31 October.
Woodland planting and Scotland’s plant hunters / PITLOCHRY
Explorers Garden
Above the theatre, Explorers Garden tells the story of Scottish plant collectors through a landscape of trees, smaller planting areas and garden buildings. It makes a quieter outdoor visit before a performance or a change of scene after the dam exhibitions. What you see changes with the season: the celebrated blue poppies are a spring attraction, not an autumn promise.
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Before you go
General garden entry is free for the remainder of 2026, with opening through 31 October and Mondays closed. This is a current seasonal arrangement, not a permanent free-entry promise.
The practical details
- Where to find it
- Beside and above Pitlochry Festival Theatre; entrance from the car park to the left of the theatre building.
Directions and arrival information ↗ - Tickets and booking
- The current page lists Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm, until 31 October; confirm the date before travel. Its booking instructions say a 4pm entry listing permits visiting earlier that day. Guided tours and performances are separate from free general entry.
- Access and getting around
- Most of the garden is accessible to wheelchair users, but some paths have steep inclines and unsuitable areas are signposted. Choose a shorter route with staff advice if using a wheelchair, walker or buggy. The theatre’s accessible toilets are a separate building visit.
Official access information ↗ - Visiting with children
- Leave room for a slow wander and rest stops on the slopes. Ask about the easiest route for your group rather than making a full garden circuit compulsory. Seasonal planting and outdoor artworks are for looking at; a show or guided tour requires its own arrangements.
Practical information checked 15 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.
Make it part of your day
Allow 1–1½ hours for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.
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