Self catering holidays in Pitlochry, Tayside

The River Tay flows through a green wooded valley with lush meadows on either side.  Succulent raspberries and Tayberries grow well and regularly appear on Scottish dessert menus. Imagine a stay in a Scottish stone country cottage, surrounded by splendid scenery- a comfortable holiday home that you can return to fondly after good days out exploring Tayside.

View holiday cottages to rent in Tayside

Rent a holiday cottage in Pitlochry

Rent a self-catering cottage or apartment for a stay in one of Scotland's most popular towns in Perthshire and you will have good clean accommodation that provides a real 'home from home' experience. You could light the fire in the wood burner on a chilly evening, watch TV whilst you sip your favourite Scottish drink. Pitlochry attracts tourists in their droves to enjoy the walks, view salmon making their way up the fish ladder (mid May is a good time to visit, we saw over a dozen salmon), fish or just relax on  Loch Faskally in a rowing boat.  It's a lively feel-good place.  The small town centre has a good choice of restaurants, pubs, cafes and take-aways, hotels and shops.  People relax outside in the evenings, talking, drinking, singing and contributing to the lively atmosphere. You might even find a holiday rental in the town itself.

The Pitlochry Festival Theatre provides nightly entertainment and even teas during the day - , in a comfortable coffee shop.   Nightly Scottish folk music and  ceilidhs can be found at the many hotels and venues. Tourist information is freely available with details of all events and venues.   Almost every other stone built house in Pitlochry appears to offer bed and breakfast or hotel facilities but you may prefer the privacy and space that a holiday cottage provides. And, if you are looking for a place to stay with your dog, find small one or two bedroom pet-friendly holiday cottages near Pitclochry.

There is a variety of different types of holiday homes to rent in Tayside - all of which are of a comfortable serviceable quality where you can make yourself at home. Some will be dog-frindly so that you can bring your fur babies if you want. Tayside pine lodge holidays offer pet-friendly accommodation and they are so cosy and homely inside.

•     Perthshire for holiday cottages, house rentals and log cabins

Charming though it is, most visitors will want to sample the delights and visitor attractions found in the surrounding countryside, and Pitlochry makes a good base whether you plan to walk, travel by car or bicycle (hire shop in town).

Visit Dunkeld

Dunkeld is a pleasant town to visit.  It lies 14 miles to the south of Pitlochry. Its historic cathedral overlooks the river and has lovely wooded gardens for a stroll or just to laze and watch the river flow by.  The National Trust has restored the exteriors of twenty or so houses that destroyed in 1689 when Jacobite forces lay siege to Dunkeld.  There are at least three antique shops in the town if you like a browse through old china and furniture. To the east, just out of Dunkeld is Craig Wood with its carpet of bluebells (in mid May). Further east along the same road, is the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Centre (Tel: 01350 727337) with binoculars on hand and TV camera bringing nature close up to you. You may be fortunate and spot an otter, or great crested grebe or even an osprey.

• View holiday homes to rent near Dunkeld

A Beatrix Potter exhibition is to be found just south of Dunkeld with a children's play area, gardens and tea shop.  If Benjamin Bunny makes you feel sentimental then add this to your itinerary (Tel: 01350 727674).

Further south, along the A827, Aberfeldy, with its water mill and Black Watch memorial is a quieter and simpler town.  There is a very nice tea shop in the high street with truly scrumptious diet defeating cakes, a good gift shop, some walks, but not much else in the way of visitor attractions.  The town looks in need of a good coat of paint and some TLC.  It's main attraction appears to be the river rafting trips which range from easy to wild and crazy.  Trips take a half or full day, and look really good fun (Tel: 01887 829706).

If you're into gardens, Bolfracks Garden, two miles south west of Aberfeldy  on the A827 is open from March 17th until October 31st.  It's a large garden belonging to a private house - admission fees are reasonable.  It's lovely in May, with a mass of azaleas and some early rhododendrons.   There are some interesting and unusual plants and trees; one section is particularly nice with a tiny stream running through it. It would have been nice to have a cup of tea afterwards but no tea room as yet.

Blairgowrie

The lovely town of Blairgowrie lies east of Dunkeld. It's another good place to find a holiday cottage to rent, especially if you are bringing a dog. View small dog-friendly holiday cottages in Blairgowrie.

This is just a small taste of what Tayside has to offer.  Tourist Information Centres will supply you with free literature to plan your stay and make it a holiday to remember.

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