Scotland’s Last Mansion, Now With Self-Catering.

Said to be the last mansion house built in Scotland, Craigellie House is a gloriously restored B&B whose East Wing has been converted into a lovely self-catering unit with two guest bedrooms and a sofabed downstairs to soak up any extra children. Near Blairgowrie, the property is just two minutes from the farming town of Alyth, this is a place to breathe fresh air, listen to birdsong, admire dark night skies and watch red squirrels in the trees.

There are two guest bedrooms, both recently renovated and light and airy. One has a double bed, while the other is a twin, though this can be made up as a super king if required. The downstairs snug has a double sofabed that can be set up if needed. The family bathroom is on the first floor, with a shower, bath and heated towel rail, while there is a separate toilet on the ground floor. This used to be for the gardener and is significantly less lavish but is still, occasionally, useful.

The kitchen/dining room is on the ground floor. This is well equipped, with an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, washing machine, Nespresso coffee machine and window nest. Lots of little extras are included, such as electricity, Wi-fi, bed linen, towels & tea towels, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, hand soap, logs & kindling for the wood burning stove, tea, instant coffee, sugar & other useful larder items such as cooking oil, salt, pepper, flour, herbs, stock cubes.

There’s a separate sitting room with a wood burning stove and a smart TV. Then there’s a snug – where you’ll find the double sofabed and a Freeview TV – and there’s a heated boot room off the entrance with a pulley for drying clothes. The whole property is centrally heated with a biomass boiler and there’s a lockable shed that can accommodate bicycles.

Outside there’s an east facing bench at the back door that catches the morning sun, then you can can stroll across the lawn to a west-facing, covered gazebo and patio – the perfect private spot for afternoon tea/evening drinks or outdoor eating. There are washing lines on the back lawn which guests are welcome to use and we put a rope swing in the woodland for younger visitors.

Walks are from the door: not to be missed is the Den of Alyth at the end of the drive, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in a scenic little gorge. Cut by Alyth Burn, this is known for its upland beech woodlands and is a very special place to wander along the water’s edge and into Alyth village. In the garden buzzards soar overhead, the occasional red kite, red squirrels play in the trees and, if you’re lucky, you can spot resident beavers nearby at the Bamff rewilding project.

Dogs are permitted, but one at a time, and there is a nominal cleaning charge. They do love it here.

Craigellie House suggests:

Expand your stay in Craigellie’s East Wing by inviting extra guests to book the B&B that operates in the West Wing. It may be possible to bring everyone together for communal breakfasts, but it does depend on numbers, so do ask if this is of interest. There is, of course, an additional charge. For more information check their own website at craigellie.co.uk.

Email them HERE

Pricing

Craigellie's East Wing is usually let from Friday to Friday but shorter or longer bookings are sometimes available. Check availability and rates here, but generally it's best to call,  email or fill out our enquiry form to book direct.  You can do this here. Off season rates start at £637 for seven nights. Prices vary seasonally.

Location

There is much to do in the area and the East Wing at Craigellie House makes the perfect base from which to explore. Just a stone's throw away are the magnificently beautiful Angus glens with wonderful rambling opportunities. The Cateran Trail, a must for serious walkers, can be easily reached on the hill above the house. Those who are looking for mountains to climb will not be disappointed as the Cairngorms National Park is close by with Driesh (947m) and Mayar (928m) being the closest Munros. Glenshee ski centre is just a 45 minute drive away, offering winter skiing and summer walking opportunities. The surrounding country lanes are cycle-friendly with options for all abilities and aspirations, whether that be a meandering family day out or a strenuous uphill challenge. There are several castles & palaces within easy reach, including Glamis, Scone, Blair, Dunnottar, and gardens of interest include the Japanese Garden at Cowden and you can even book a Scottish Tea Garden tour. Even the east coast is less than an hour away by car, and Edinburgh 90 minutes. For a full range of things to do in the area check Craigellie's own web page here. Despite Craigellie's rural location there are some lovely local options for dining, offering a range of culinary styles. Nearby is the Lands of Loyal Hotel in Alyth with its unique and exquisite dining rooms offering an extensive a la carte menu featuring traditional yet imaginative dishes. A 25-minute walk reaches the recently refubished Alyth Hotel, which is perfect for a beer and a quality pub meal. Slightly further, but still within 20 minutes by car, and you come to the Meikleour Arms, beside the famous beech hedge planted in 1745 and recognised as the highest in the world. This delightful pub and restaurant offers delicious and beautifully presented country fare with an emphasis on local produce.

Reviews

"This was our second stay at Craigellie in 2020 and we had a wonderful, relaxing time. Our hosts yet again couldn't do enough for us ... you honestly cannot ask for more. Alyth itself is a very pretty little town ... We enjoyed visiting nearby locations - Reekie Lin waterfall and Killiekrankie to name but two and had some lovely walks without having to go miles to find them. Craigellie ... remains the best we've seen. We can't recommend highly enough!" Jeremy and Elaine, August 2020