UNIQUE BREAKS Ardechive Cottage at Achnacarry
Sporting and Country, Spean Bridge Reviewed by the Forrest family from Fife Heading off the beaten track we arrived at Ardechive Cottage in the middle of the night and – after a quick recce of this beautiful, warm cottage – tumbled into bed. Waking we discovered that we were in a beautiful spot
right on the shores of a wind-whipped Loch Askaig with snow covered mountains all around. My fi rst sight was a red deer stag pottering past the cottage – that was not the only one we spotted that day. Although the estate caters for serious stalkers, we were booked in for a day of activities and our guide for the day, Alex MacDonald, was charming and informative, being the fourth generation of his family on this land. He picked us up for a red deer feeding tour, which took us up the glen. Regaled with tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie and a murderous 17th century crofter, we stopped at various intervals to be greeted by hundreds of stags piling down the mountainside right up to the pick-up for some breakfast. After lunch back at the cottage, Alex picked us up again, this time in an ArgoCat and took us all 1,000ft up the mountain behind our cottage – my youngest son absolutely loved this and so did I. The views
FIELD FACTS
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from the top were stunning. The highlight of the day for my eldest son was rifl e target shooting. With Alex as our expert tutor, we all enjoyed taking turns to line up and shoot at the targets set up in the woods. The three-bedroom Ardechive Cottage was fabulous
– an old cottage and barn combined, it has been restored and decorated to the highest standards with everything guests could wish for, including piles of wood ready to light the log burning stove with and even down to fresh fl owers in the kitchen. There is also a drying room in which to put all your wet clothes and boots. Prices from £600 per week for Ardechive Cottage
Tennis Break at Morton of Pitmilly,
Kingsbarns, St Andrews Reviewed by The Yellowley family from Perth ‘Stay, play, relax’ is the motto at Morton of Pitmilly and it’s safe to say we ticked all three boxes several times over at this countryside haven beside the sea with its a range of luxury self-catering accommodation together with a choice of activities to keep everyone happy. We stayed in the spacious Bramble Bank, located in
Country retreat at Eagle Brae, Struy near
Beauly Reviewed by Richard Bath and family I’ve travelled all over Scotland and stayed in countless places, but I’ve never found anywhere kitted out to a higher spec than our luxurious three-bedroomed log cabin, one of eight imported from British Columbia that comprise the shiny new Eagle Brae self-catering development on the hill above the River Glass between Beauly and Drumnadrochit. This is a particularly beautiful corner of Scotland, and Eagle Brae makes a fantastic place to get away from it all. The cabins are green, warm, and are suited either to couples who want to vegetate with no distractions, or to families who love the great outdoors. For the latter (don’t worry kids, there’s also telly and WiFi), the drive down the estate’s personal road up into the hills is a dramatic chance to get close to nature and see herds of stags up close. But Eagle Brae has also laid on a whole range of activities. There’s fi shing, stalking, bird watching, walking, kayaking, pony trekking, golf, sled-dogs and a black grouse safari with the estate owners, Mike and Pawana Spencer-Nairn. We tried the archery, which was great fun, especially as dad won. Aigas, Sir John Lister-Kaye’s famous outdoors centre, is nearby, and red deer ambled among the cabins day and night. It’s not cheap, but this really is one of the highest- quality country breaks you’ll fi nd anywhere in Scotland. Prices from £900 per cabin per week
the most recent development at the resort. Nothing has been overlooked; from the spectacular open plan space downstairs with under fl oor heating and views out to sea, to the sumptuous bedrooms with ensuites upstairs. And onto our main reason for staying: play. On Fife’s
only indoor tennis court, number one son and mum were put through their paces in a private lesson with Eilidh Smith, resident coach and co-owner. A further two hours of court time the following morning gave us full use of this excellent facility. The kids also made full use of the swimming pool leaving mum and dad to enjoy the sauna and steam room. More clement weather would have allowed us to explore the estate on foot and bikes, not to mention further afi eld golf courses and beaches galore. Mum treated herself to an immaculate facial and massage with Eileen at the resort spa. Our day was topped off by the most delicious ready meals from COOK available from reception. We’ll be back. Prices from £365 for a three night stay
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1) Celtic Sail and Explore Tel: 01844 214646 www.celticsailandexplore.
co.uk
2) The Dell of Abernethy Tel: 01479 821643 www.holiday-cairngorm.
co.uk
3) Achnacarry Sporting and Country Tel: 07415 706930
www.achnacarrycountry.
co.uk
4) Eagle Brae Tel: 01463 761301
www.eaglebrae.co.uk
5) Morton of Pitmilly Tel: 01334 880466
www.pitmilly.co.uk
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