The Holly Tree Lodge

Holly Tree Lodge is named after the ancient holly tree which stands in the front garden, and which is reputed to be over a thousand years old and the oldest in the glen.  Holly Tree Lodge enjoys a fantastic rural location on the banks of the Blackwater river, a few miles from the Cairngorm National Park and some of Scotland’s best known tourist destinations, including Braemar, Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, the Angus Glens and Blairgowrie. 

Our luxury accommodation uses both contemporary and traditional features throughout and makes fantastic use of light and space, allowing the best possible views of the beautiful surrounding hills and countryside. The landscape is spectacular, with fertile farmland and rolling hills and, at the head of the glen, some of the highest peaks in Perthshire. 

The river Blackwater running along the bottom of the extensive, mature garden is stocked with trout and salmon. Guests are therefore welcome to fish for trout, however, for salmon fishing you will need to purchase a permit which is available from the local shop. There is a decking area and some seating next to the river where you can sit and fish, or just watch the salmon jumping. 

The garden also has a small trout pond, where you can sit and relax or take in the lovely views, as well as spotting some of the local birds and wildlife, including pheasants, owls, birds of prey and many more.

Accommodation & Facilities
The main building has four large double bedrooms and offers guests a comfortable and relaxing holiday in spacious and stylish accommodation. Its open plan kitchen and lounge area provides a great setting for entertaining with family or friends, as does the large external decking area leading on from it. Alternatively, you may choose to relax and unwind in front of the log-burning stove dominating the stunning lounge.

Facilities include, Sky TV, laundry facilities, WIFI and central heating throughout. 

Holly Tree Lodge – Main house 
▪ Two large double bedrooms on the ground floor of the property. Two further large double bedrooms upstairs
▪ Three bathrooms: two family bathrooms with bath and shower, and one en-suite shower room
▪ Large kitchen with oak worktops and stainless steel appliances
▪ Additional utility kitchen with laundry facilities and freezers
▪ Bright, spacious lounge with dining area. Hardwood flooring throughout. Feature log-burning stove. Sky TV, DVD and stereo provided
▪ Extensive outdoor decking area with outdoor dining furniture
▪ Large private garden leading to the Blackwater river, as well as lawns to the front of the property
▪ Ample parking 

Location
Directions: Heading north from Blairgowrie on the A93, sign posted Braemar, for some 6 miles till reaching Bridge of Cally. The site lies 5 miles north on the A93.

Prices
The two properties are rented out as one unit and will comfortably sleep 10. Main house three bedrooms are double twin and one bedroom has two single beds -The annex is also equipped with a double twin.

Prices are for the whole house, per week, from Saturday – Saturday and are inclusive of all fuel, heating, sauna and VAT at 17.5%.

Holly Tree Lodge April – June 650 pounds July – Augustus 800 pounds

Sept – December 650 pounds

Local Area
Blairgowrie is Perthshires second largest town and a 15 minute drive south from Holly Tree Lodge. The red stone towns of Blairgowrie and it’s sister Rattray lie on either side of the River Ericht where it emerges from spectacular gorges in Strathmore. The town became a burgh in 1634. The military road north to Braemar was opened in 1724. By the end of the 18thC the Blairgowrie area was a huge centre for the growing of flax. Initially the linen weaving industry was home based but the first industrial mill was erected in 1798. Others followed throughout the 19thC. 

In 1855 the railway arrived as a branch line from Coupar Angus. Recently the area has become the focus of Perthshire’s soft fruit growing, specially raspberries.

Nearby Rosemount golf course was designed by some of the great early names of Scottish golf and is considered one of the best inland courses in Scotland. The town of is one of the main accommodation centres for the Glenshee ski resort. It is a busy place with a good range of shops which extend into Blairgowrie’s twin community of Rattray. developed in the 19th Century when flax mills were built on the banks of the River Ericht. It prospered further when the commercial growing of raspberries was introduced to the area.

On the north side of the town the old Keathbank jute mill building is now a visitor centre with working water wheel and original mill machinery. It also houses the largest O-gauge model railway in Britain. The centre is open during the summer season only. South east of is the village of This is home to the finest collection of in Scotland.

Head east from and you pass the pretty and historic village of en route to Located at the head of two glens, Clova and Prosen, is a pretty town. Its narrow winding streets have an olde worlde charm. It is famous as the birthplace of creator of Peter Pan: and a commemorative statue is located in the town.

Fishing and shooting
Fishing in Perthshire is world renowned and attracts enthusiasts back year after year. We are surrounded by some fantastic rivers stocked with trout and wild salmon. At Holly Tree Lodge, we have the Blackwater river at the foot of the gardens. We have trout fishing rights within the boundaries of the gardens to the middle of the river. For Salmon fishing a permit must be purchased. 

The salmon and trout fishing season on Shee Water and Black Water is from 15 April to 15 October. Some of the local estates offer various beats along the banks of the River Ardle and Ericht. The River Tay passes us just a few miles to the south. Fishing on the River Isla and several lochs can be arranged through Crockart’s of Blairgowrie who also hire out equipment.

Perthshire is also home to some of Scotland best shooting. The most popular in the immediate vicinity are pheasant, duck and partridge shooting. We do not organise shooting events, however if you have an enquiry we will certainly assist in trying to help put you in touch with someone who does. 

We will have facilities on-site to store equipment. Crockart’s of Blairgowrie are local specialists in the supply of shooting equipment.

Winter sports
Scotland’s largest ski and snowboard area lies just 15 minutes to the north of Holly Tree Lodge. It has 36 runs (40km) over 4 mountains and 3 valleys from the black run The Tiger, down to beginners pistes and everything in between. 

Lessons and ski school available. Public perception of Scottish Snowsports is often more negative than the reality. Like all the Scottish Snowsport Centres, Glenshee has struggled some winters with snow cover, but even last year they had a good season. It started earlier than usual and they had some spells of excellent conditions and weather. Check out latest conditions at www.ski-glenshee.co.uk

There are various ski hire facilities along the A93 on the lead up to the slopes as well as the Ski Hire at the centre itself. At Holly Tree Lodge we have ample storage for all your ski equipment as well as as drying facilities, and of course the Sauna for relaxing in after a hard day on the slopes.

Golf
There is an enormous choice of golf courses within a short drive from Holly Tree Lodge, the nearest courses are at Dalmunzie and, Glenisla. Slightly further afield we have Rosemount (Blairgowrie), Lansdowne (Blairgowrie), Braemar, Alyth, Strathmore, Pitlochry, Crieff and Murrayshall to name but a few. The Old Course at St Andrews is also only an hours drive away.

A complete list can be found on the Visit Scotland website at www.visitscotland.com/golf.

There is also a great value Green Card which offers special rates at over 19 of Perthshire’s golf courses & is available for £85.00 per person for 5 rounds or £55.00 for 3 rounds. Details available at www.perthshire.co.uk , go to active Perthshire, then green card.

Ballooning
Alba Ballooning is the northernmost based ballooning company in Britain. Balloon flights can be taken from Perth, Kinross in Fife, the Lothians or northern Scottish Borders. Since starting in 2000, they’ve made over 500 flights and flown more than four thousand satisfied passengers.

The special “baskets” can carry up to 12 passengers and so offer the opportunity for small groups or family occassions.

For full details of current prices, description of each package and to make purchases, please visit www.albaballooning.co.uk

The Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest is a spectacular outdoor sound and light show which takes place at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Spectacular lighting effects will be used to illustrate our theme as visitors make their way around the forest.

Visitors will be treated to a series of spectacular and choreographed mini sound and light shows while they follow the path around the forest.

For information about the Enchanted Forest you can go to http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Often referred to as ‘The Theatre in the Hills’ – is extremely important to the town, running a rolling repertoire of six plays throughout the main tourist season (May to October) and a whole host of other entertainment all year round. 

Many visitors come to Pitlochry purely to enjoy the entertainment at the theatre.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Port na Craig Pitlochry PH16 5DR Tel: 01796 484 626 www.pitlochry.org.uk 

Distilleries
There are many whisky distilleries in the surrounding area: Edradour – Probably the smallest Distillery in Scotland Edradour is the last survivor of the “farmhouse” distilleries. It produces a highly rated 10 Year Old Malt which carries a distinct overtone of salt and seaweed more characteristic of an island whisky.

Blair Athol – Distilling at The Blair Athol Distillery has been traced back as far as 1798 when John Stewart and Robert Robertson founded a distillery which they named “Aldour” after the Allt Dour – the “burn of the otter” which flows from the slopes of Ben y vrackie. 

Today it produces a 12 Year Old Single Malt, with a mellow deep-toned aroma, a strong fruity flavour and a smooth finish. Tullibardine – Sitting on the original site of the first public brewery , dating back to 1488 and the coronation of King James IV, the distillery has recently undergone a major refurbishment and now produces a very “easy drinking” malt. It draws its water from the Ochill hills opposite, renowned for their quality of natural spring water.

Dalwhinnie – Dalwhinnie Distillery is the highest distillery in Scotland at 1,073 feet. It is the producer of a classic full bodied malt with a delicate taste, drawing from the waters of the Allt an t’sluic as they have passed through the local moorland heathers.

Also visit Dewars world of whisky www.dewarswow.com and the Famous Grouse Experience www.thefamousgrouse.com.