Carie Estate holiday cottages in Highland Perthshire, Scotland

The Carie Estate
Loch Rannoch
Perthshire

Sleeping 4 and 4

Accommodation (two cottages):

Morag's Cottage, Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland

Morag's Cottage (Sleeps 4/5)

Morag's Cottage conforms exactly to most people's idea of a perfect holiday cottage. A 200 year old, traditional, stone-built, roses-round-the-door cottage, on the Carie Estate 25 miles from Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire and just a hundred yards from the shores of beautiful Loch Rannoch, it has fine views across the lawn to the loch and to the Black Wood of Rannoch. Inside, it has been restored and furnished to the very highest standards and has achieved the rare and coveted 5-star rating. Warm, cosy, peaceful and full of character, this is a cottage you will want to return to again and again.

The accommodation is spacious and beautifully appointed, with a sitting room with open fire and separate dining room. The modern kitchen is fully equipped and upstairs there are two large bedrooms, one with a three-quarter four poster bed, and a bathroom with shower.

Morag's Cottage This is a wonderful place just to chill and admire the glorious scenery of loch and mountain, with an eye open for the amazing range of wildlife round about. Here you may see owls, oyster catchers, falcons, even eagles, and, on the ground, pine martens, red squirrels, deer, otters, hares and hedgehogs.

If, having relaxed for a bit, you then fancy something a little more energetic, you are absolutely spoiled for choice. Gentle strolls along the lochside, more challenging hikes through the surrounding mountains, cycling round the entire loch (cycles can be hired locally) are three options. The Estate has a mile of frontage along the loch, so fishermen are royally catered for, and stalking in season can also be arranged.

The loch has facilities for sailing, kayaking, canoeing and tuition is available. The nearby outward bound centre at Kinloch Rannoch also offers rather more esoteric pursuits such as archery, orienteering, climbing or, most extreme of all, an SAS survival night (which would surely make you appreciate the cosy comfort of Morag's Cottage in no uncertain terms!)

With regard to touring further afield, you can hop on the West Highland Railway line from the second most remote 'station' in Britain at the far end of the loch, and this will take you across lonely Rannoch Moor to Fort William. By car, 50 miles to the south is the historic city of Perth (all facilities) or, on joining the A9, you can head north to Aviemore and the Cairngorms or even Inverness. Pitlochry is a popular tourist town, with distillery, fish ladder and its famous 'Theatre in the Hills'. There is a shop and hotel at nearby Kinloch Rannoch (3m).

Bed linen and towels, heating and electricity are all included. Pets are welcome by arrangement. Sorry, no smoking within the cottage. Because the loch and a stream are close by, care may be required with young children.

Downstairs:

Sitting room with Satellite TV/V/DVD + open-fire.
Dining room with sofa bed.
Kitchen with dishwasher with electric cooker + fridge freezer + microwave + washing machine, etc.

Upstairs:

Double bed room.
Room with a three quarter 4-poster bed and single bed.
Bathroom with bath + shower + WC and basin.

Morag's Cottage:

The Factor's House (Sleeps 4/5)

The Factor's House, Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland

'By Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go...' so runs the old hiking song, but if the composer had seen the Factor's House on the shores of wild and beautiful Loch Rannoch, 25 miles from Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire, he would probably have forgotten Lochaber and been happy to stop right there!

This traditional, 200 year old, stone-built cottage, just a few hundred yards or so across the grass from the lochside, has a picturesque exterior which yet gives little indication of the sublime comfort you will find inside. Awarded the rare and coveted 5-star rating, this charming house will entrance you from the outset with its cosiness and character. The accommodation comprises an elegant open plan sitting/dining room with open fire, a state of the art kitchen area, a cosy double bedroom and bathroom, while a spiral staircase leads up to a delightful galleried sitting and writing area overlooking the downstairs sitting room, and a comfortable twin bedroom.

The Factor's House And all this in an area which has so much to offer. Apart from the temptation to just sit and do nothing in such glorious and peaceful surroundings, there is magnificent walking to be had on the surrounding mountains, or quieter strolls along the loch side. The road round the Loch is more or less flat, so excellent for cycling. (Bikes may be hired locally). At the far end of the Loch you can catch the West Highland Railway (at the second most remote station in Britain) which will take you up to Fort William. Boats may be hired on the loch, or you can learn to sail, kayak or raft. The Carie Estate has a mile of frontage on Loch Rannoch, so fishermen should bring their rods. Stalking can also be arranged in season, and the really energetic can try their hands at archery, orienteering, climbing or even an SAS survival night at the local outward bound centre at the head of the loch.

It goes without saying that the surrounding countryside abounds with wildlife. Curlews, oyster-catchers, falcons, owls, golden eagles, pine martens, otters, red squirrels, hares and deer may all be spotted.

There is an hotel and shop at Kinloch Rannoch (3m). Pitlochry has all facilities and in addition a distillery, fish ladder, and famous festival theatre, where the boast is that you can 'stay six days and see six plays'. From there, the Great North Road will whisk you north to the Cairngorms, ski-ing at Aviemore or the chairlift up Cairngorm all year round. and beyond that, there is Inverness.

Bed linen, towels, heating and electricity are all included. Pets are welcome by arrangement. Sorry no smoking within the cottage. Because of the proximity of the loch and a small burn, care may be required with young children.

Downstairs:

Open plan sitting/dining/kitchen with sofa bed, open fire, Satellite TV/V/DVD, electric cooker, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave etc.
Double bedroom
Bathroom with bath/shower, WC and wash basin