Gateway to the Highlands, this region is easily visited from all of the major Scottish cities. Here you’ll find sites like Scone Palace, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Gleneagles’ championship golf courses. Named “The fairest portion of the northern kingdom” by Sir Walter Scott, its woodlands, forests, soaring peaks and meandering rivers are a delight. So it’s a haven for mountain bikers, hikers, kayakers, abseilers and white water rafters. And you might well have a chance of sighting wild beavers, red deer or red squirrels – all indigenous to the area. Choose one of these beautiful countryside properties to complete your perfect Perthshire stay.
The Gleneagles Hotel
The Gleneagles Hotel is an institution when it comes to luxury getaways. Its conception came about in 1910 when the General Manager of the Caledonian Railway Company had the vision to build a large country house hotel built in the style of a palace in the picturesque valley through which his railway line ran. It opened in 1924 and was quickly coined ‘the Riviera in the Highlands” Set in an 850-acre estate with three championship golf courses and an unbeatable array of sporting activities to try. From equestrian and shooting to fishing and off-road driving, there is plenty to keep you entertained or for a more relaxing experience enjoy some time at the ESPA Spa. Whilst there are 232 rooms, the design of each is constructed to feel like a far more intimate, boutique hotel with a mix of traditional and modern interiors. Guests can enjoy dinner is in the incredible Andrew Fairlie Michelin-starred restaurant, the only restaurant in Scotland to hold two Michelin stars or for something more casual The Dormy Bar & Grill serves a selection of delicious dishes.
Murrayshall Country House Hotel & Golf Club
Suitable for all the family (including any four-legged members who can join for the stay). This hotel has not one, but two courses – the Murrayshall and the Lynedoch. 27 holes stretch across Perthshire parkland, along with a driving range and Pro Shop. PGA tuition can be arranged and visitors aren’t asked for a handicap certificate. The Stutts Clubhouse bar & grill with its outdoor courtyard is a delightful spot to enjoy a sociable post-round bite to eat and drink. The hotel has 40 newly refurbished bedrooms, fantastic brasserie for dinner, lunch and breakfast and there’s a dedicated Head of Golf to meet all your play-related needs.
Dunalastair Hotel Suites
Once an 18th century Highland Sporting Lodge, this building in tiny Kinloch Rannoch village was converted into a hotel during the Victorian era. The design-led five-star boutique establishment received a full makeover, reopening in 2017 with 32 rooms and suites with kitchenettes. The hotel boasts two restaurants; Monadh, an all-day fine dining restaurant without the fuss serving residents and locals alike. Meanwhile, The Library is an exclusive dining destination serving a seasonal seven-course tasting menu – a treat for avid gourmands. Dunalastair Hotel sits in the shadow of the majestic Schiehallion mountain and is a five-minute walk to the loch. This relatively remote setting is ideal for those wishing to experience the wilderness while sleeping in luxury.
Cairn Lodge Hotel
Just 14 bedrooms give this lodge close to Gleneagles, an exclusive and intimate feel. The baronial building has a modern twist, with plush textiles, rich amber hues and statement lighting. High-end self-catering accommodation is also available. But for those not wishing to cook, there’s the Garden Room restaurant, serving afternoon teas, Sunday roasts and a la carte meals. And if you’re planning a special occasion, you can devise a bespoke menu with the executive chef, for your group’s private enjoyment. Take a seat in a brown leather upholstered chair mid-morning for a coffee and the day’s papers, or after dinner, to enjoy a sophisticated tipple.
Fonab Castle
Perched on the edge of Loch Faskally in Pitlochry, this Baronial castle was built in 1892. Created for the port and sherry merchants, Sandeman, it has since been turned into a glamorous hotel and spa. Family owned and run (by the Clark family) the castle houses 42 bedrooms, four treatment rooms, a pool, sauna and two restaurants. Eating and drinking can be both an exquisite and unusual experience here, with mood-lit pod dining, a unique gin bar and triple AA Rosette-awarded cuisine accompanied by waterside views. And as the town’s only five-star hotel, it’s the fanciest address at which to stay in town.