Romantic country cottage with hot tub on Highland estate.

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Glenisla, Perthshire

Only 90 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh, this sunny 15th century cottage with private hot tub secluded behind ancient double hedges in the centre of a Highland estate, 5 minutes’ drive from the Cairngorm National Park, is such a romantic yet fabulously comfortable place that it is perfect for explorers, lovers and honeymooners. It has stunning views of mountains up to 2500 feet and there are a huge number of activities available. For 300 years Cistercian monks spent half of each year at this peaceful place, making butter and cheese and brewing beer from the pure springs that continue to feed the cottage. From bed, one can see the heather hill where the monks put their hives, and from where we still get honey today. The cottage sits between two ancient wildflower meadows; unploughed, unimproved, and protected, full of rare wild yellow violets and orchids. Red squirrels live around the garden and the walls support rare ferns and lichens which grow only in unpolluted places. The National Botanical Gardens at Kew chose the field beside the cottage from which to take wild raspberry seeds for the world seed bank in an ice cave in Svalbard.

The cottage has been sympathetically restored, retaining the enormous medieval fireplace (pot hooks intact) with a wood burning stove, original wood panelled walls and ceiling, solid oak floor, granite worktops, emperor bed with ensuite power shower and of course, bathrobes and every modern convenience. You can arrange to fish on the river, hire mountain bikes, or relax in the hot tub while the estate’s chef prepares a romantic dinner, or, in winter, skis can be booked and a guide or lessons arranged at Glenshee ski slopes, 35 minutes from the house. There is excellent pub grub 5 minutes away and lots of good restaurants in the area. We provide a full concierge service so why not let us do your shopping, provide surprise champagne and chocolates – or a romantic meal, (cheese scones and wicked puddings a specialty), - bring mountain bikes to the door, or take you on a wildlife photography safari on the estate.

In summer barbeque on the south facing terrace, climb a Munro (12 within 1 hour), walk the long distance Cateran Trail which winds through the Estate, or take a trip to Pitlochry and House of Bruar with their tartan makers, summer theatre and cashmere, artisan and gourmet food shopping. Alternatively, visit a whisky distillery, or just wander north up the river to picnic in a place beloved by Queen Victoria, where the Highland ponies like to come to cool down on hot days.

The house is the place to find peace and utter tranquillity for your holiday in the Scottish Highlands yet there are many adventures and places to see both on and off the estate. There is outstanding wildlife viewing (this is a hot spot for rare red squirrels and a huge variety of habitats in the area attract many different species of birds), clay pigeon and other shooting and sporting activities along with whisky distillery tours, adventure centres, on and off-road cycling. Championship golf courses such as St Andrews and Gleneagles (home of the Ryder Cup) are within easy reach. The Queen’s castle at Balmoral and the Queen Mother’s at Glamis are fascinating, as is the new V & A Museum and Scott of the Antarctic’s ship. We know where the best places are and as we provide a full concierge service, we will do all we can to make your holiday perfect. We can also keep secrets, so why not ask us to provide surprise champagne and chocolates for your partner?