A True glen of tranquility

Situated on a stunning family run 3,000-acre Highland estate in one of Perthshire’s prettiest glens, Straloch Highland Retreats has been named one of the best self-catering holiday accommodation experiences in Scotland.

Just five years after first opening the doors to welcome people from across the UK and around the world Straloch has garnered a reputation for providing a fantastic and genuine emotional engagement with visitors.

Located on the southern fringe of the Cairngorm National Park, right in the heart of Scotland, it is set against the dramatic backdrop of a steep rocky ridge with a tranquil loch in front. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

To the north there are miles of rugged heather moorland and mountains while to the south there is the gently rolling pastures and wooded hills of Strathardle.

With 3,000 acres to discover it’s a nature lover’s paradise and great for families who want to enjoy outdoor adventures together.

From bespoke picnics and wildlife watching to fishing and den-building and rowing across the island for a camp-fire tea, it’s the perfect place for a little escapism.

Despite giving the impression of being remote Straloch is just 15 minutes drive from the the historic and beautiful town of Pitlochry. It’s also perfectly located for day trips to the likes of Royal Deeside, Aviemore and Loch Ness.

Nearby castles such as Blair, Glamis and Scone Palace, among many others, are all easy to reach for visiting while more adventurous activities, ranging from white water rafting to bungee jumping, are within traveling distance.

Straloch has two beautiful estate houses: Stalker’s Lodge and Keeper’s Cottage, which can be rented together for larger groups or separately.

Stylish interiors with sleek, luxurious kitchen fittings are made to feel incredibly cosy with heating and hot water provided by a biomass log boiler that runs on waste timber from the estate, ensuring the house is beautifully warm and eco-friendly too.

Guests can enjoy the comfort of Hypnos beds with crisp white linen, underfloor heating in the bathrooms with locally made organic bath products.

Special services include a menu of home-cooked meals available for guests to order and a bespoke picnic offering serves up treats like a pork & apple picnic pie served with pickle and mustard, beef & horseradish sausage roll and clotted cream Victoria sponge. All of these can be delivered to a range of idyllic locations across the estate to enjoy while appreciating the peaceful surroundings.

Straloch is known for its wildflowers and wildlife and proudly boasts three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s). Many visitors return to Straloch to enjoy wildlife watching from red squirrels and the rut of the red deer in autumn; to the wide variety of birds across the estate.

“Our mission at Straloch is to ensure that our guests have a truly wonderful holiday experience; from all the little luxuries indoors to wildlife encounters and memorable picnics in the heather,” said Lucy Holt, owner of the holiday homes business which recently won “Best Self Catering Holiday

Accommodation Experience 2019/20” for the region at the Thistle Awards 2019/2020 run by national tourist board, VisitScotland.

View from the top of the ridge

Photo by John McPherson