Here is another treat for those who like their holiday accommodation to be something a little bit different, with a story attached, and an experience with which they can regale their friends on their return.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is well known as one of the greatest and charismatic architects and designers of his age, and most are familiar with the best-known examples of his work - The Glasgow School of Art, The Willow Tearooms, The Hill House, all of which are in or near Glasgow where he lived and worked. But few, if any, would look for him in Comrie. (Where?!)
This picturesque village stands on the banks of the River Earn in Perthshire, about 6 miles from Crieff and the same from lovely Loch Earn. Here, in the centre of the village, stood an 18th century town house which was gutted by fire at the beginning of the last century. When they came to rebuild it, they employed none other than the great man himself, and it is this Mackintosh product, the Rennie Mackintosh Retreat, which is now available for holiday letting. A photograph of Mackintosh's work book, in his own handwriting and detailing the tenders for the works, hangs on the staircase.
Let me tell you all about this remarkable A-listed dwelling. Coming in from the street you proceed up the panelled staircase to the front door on the first floor. On this level is the open plan living accommodation - a stylish and fully-equipped kitchen featuring a fine Art Deco mirror over the original fireplace, which leads to a cosy sitting room with open fire and dining alcove. Windows to the front look across the street to the adjacent churchyard to the river, just a minute's walk away, and over garden areas to the rear. On this level too is a useful WC.
Then you head downstairs (another internal Mackintosh staircase this time, not the ones you came up originally) to the two double bedrooms. These, while not particularly large, have space enough and can only be described as fun. In one, what looks like a wardrobe opens to reveal a full size spa bath (!), while the other, with its carefully chosen Mackintosh style bed, has a very smart en suite shower room.
And what of Comrie itself? The Retreat is handily placed just round the corner from an excellent AA rosette hotel, one of several in the village, where there is also a good range of small shops. There are riverside walks right from the door, or you can head off into the hills behind, perhaps up beautiful Glen Lednock with its waterfall, pools and the spectacular gorge of the De'il's Cauldron, which you can view from the suspended walkways. Golfers have the choice of the local course, two in Crieff (all facilities) and one at St Fillans, where the clubhouse serves excellent meals. The world-renowned Gleneagles golf complex is only 15 miles away.
For fishermen, there are the local rivers or stocked trout ponds at Auchingarrich, a family wildlife park just outside the village. Crieff Hydro Hotel offers riding and adventure sports and Loch Earn is well known for its sailing, windsurfing and indeed all water sports.
And being so central, with excellent road connections, Comrie is also perfectly placed for touring, whether east to Perth or Fife, west to Killin and the west coast, north to Aberfeldy and Loch Tay, or south to Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. A further consideration is that you can easily reach the Retreat by public transport should you wish a car-free holiday. On the other hand, if you do wish to bring the car, there is unlimited free parking on the street outside or on one of the side roads nearby.
Bed linen, towels, electricity and the first £30 of gas-CH are INCLUDED in the rental. One well-behaved pet is welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted within the house. Wi-Fi is available, subject to provider.
