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 (though if the cook feels like a night off, a wide range of delicious fare can be ordered from the Loch Rannoch Smokery.) Upstairs there are two large bedrooms, one with a three-quarter four poster bed, and a bathroom with shower.
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.
