For the perfect, picture-book retreat for a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday or just an extra special holiday, look no further than Meadowbank. Reached by a short, steepish road from the little hamlet of Dalguise, this charming, roses-round-the-door, stone cottage sits in its own extensive orchard garden high above the valley of the Tay near Dunkeld in Highland Perthshire.
Inside, the owners have expended much love, care and excellent taste on its total refurbishment. There is a cosy sitting room, with a large open fire, and additionally a large sun room at the back, kept toasty warm in all weathers by a cast-iron gas stove. Sitting there you may well see deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers, jays and owls which are all frequent visitors to the garden, while buzzards and osprey are also regularly seen in the area.
The dining kitchen is very well fitted and equipped, and upstairs there is a delightful double bedroom and additional dressing room with futon, which means that three can be accommodated (additional charge), just in case you don't succeed in keeping the place, as you will surely want to, all to yourselves!
This is a wonderful area for a holiday, accessible (just over an hour on good roads from Edinburgh), surrounded by wonderful scenery, and with lots to do and see. Dalguise is a lively and friendly little hamlet with regular ceilidhs and concerts in its village hall. Dunkeld (5m) has an excellent range of shops, eating places, art galleries, craft shops and a lovely cathedral to boot, while the county town and Fair City of Perth (all facilities) is less than 20 miles away.
You can walk out on to the surrounding hills straight from the cottage, fish in the mighty Tay, go white water rafting at Grandtully, just up the road, and play golf at Dunkeld and Aberfeldy. Day tickets can also be obtained for the Water Spa and Gym at the Dunkeld Hilton.
Heating is by night store heaters, calor gas stove and open fire. £15 of electricity and a bucket of coal are INCLUDED. Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. The cottage is supplied with spring water and there is a purification system in the cottage. One well behaved dog is welcome by arrangement, but should be kept downstairs. Sorry, no smokers.
