Introduction
The Cottage at Loch Tay is a luxury holiday cottage for rent, situated on the South bank of Loch Tay near Kenmore and Aberfeldy in beautiful Highland Perthshire, Scotland. This newly renovated holiday let is available all year and is furnished and equipped to a luxury standard. The cottage is located just 100 metres from a private tranquill beach with boat moorings and enjoys wonderful views of the surrounding forest and mountains. Within walking distance of the beautifully unspoiled village of Kenmore, this holiday home is perfectly located to take advantage of Perthshire's finest tourist attractions.
For more information and booking details please visit our flash website here
The Cottage at Loch Tay - Acharn, nr Kenmore
For more information and booking details please visit our flash website here
Accommodation
The cottage sleeps 4/6, and is superbly equipped to give the feeling that this feels more like "home" than "holiday home". The living room has an open coal/log fire and is equipped with a surround sound TV, DVD, Video and CD/MP3 player. Original artwork adorns the walls and some unique but functional furniture has been included to build on a theme of "bringing the outside, inside". The kitchen is fitted with state of the art appliances and equipment to ensure that cooking is more of a pleasure than a chore. The two spacious bedrooms have more than enough wardrobe and drawer space for up to six people, and are again, decorated and furnished to a high standard. Outside, there is a private garden with patio area, garden furniture and a gas barbeque ensure that you can make the most of the outdoors. There is also a fully equipped adult mountain bike and a 3 person inflatable dinghy to ensure that you can make the most of this fabulous area.
For more information and booking details please visit our flash website here
Bookings and Enquiries
If you are looking for a holiday let in Perthshire, you can find our details from our own website and we are also advertised under the following:
Loch Tay Holiday lettings
Kenmore holiday lets
Aberfeldy holiday homes
Perthshire holiday cottages
Scotland self catering accommodation
Visitor Information
The Loch Tay Area
Loch Tay is a photographers paradise, being a peaceful, unspoiled area of outstanding natural beauty. Less than a mile away from the cottage is the only reconstruction of a Crannog, a 2000 year old loch-dwelling, built on stilts in the water. The cottage is at the start of a notified walk to a Perthshire Beauty Spot known as the Falls of Acharn and also sits directly on the Rob Roy Way (a famous route used frequently by the Scottish hero) and on cycle route 7.
Loch Tay is the largest loch in Perthshire and the sixth largest loch in Scotland and is over 150 metres deep at its deepest. It is approximately 14½ miles long and over a mile wide. Ben Lawers, the UK’s 10th highest mountain at 1214m, proudly emerges from the waters of the loch to provide a dramatic backdrop. The loch stands at the head of the River Tay, the longest river in Scotland. Kenmore, a small unspoilt village, at the eastern end of Loch Tay boasts the oldest inn in Scotland, The Kenmore Hotel, which dates back to 1572. The Kenmore Hotel stands at the gate of Taymouth Castle, reputedly the most important Scottish castle remaining in private ownership. The largest town nearby is Aberfeldy, with an abundance of shops and restaurants to suit all tastes.
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We have included some information on the surrounding area below:
Local Towns & Villages
Acharn | Distance | 0 miles | |
Description | “The Cottage at Loch Tay” is located in the small hamlet of Acharn. The hamlet was built in the 19th century to house workers from the local estates. | ||
History | Originally “The Mill House” was constructed to harness the power of the nearby Acharn Burn, and this was converted into a craft centre in the 1970s. The house is now a private dwelling. “The Post House” as its name suggests was the old Post Office and the there used to be a shop and garage on the opposite side of the bridge over Acharn Burn. These have now all sadly closed down and the nearest amenities are to be found in Kenmore. The village does, however, still boast the best bakery in the area. The Falls of Acharn, a series of waterfalls with a total height of 24.5 metres set in a steep wooded gorge, are a popular tourist attraction, (can be a dangerous place to walk dogs without leads). The Acharn Falls Walk is about 1 mile straight up and down from the village. This walk has fabulous views of the falls above the village. The upper falls have a timber walkway constructed by the Officers and men of the 202 Field Squadron RE (V) in June 1989. There is also a 'Hermits Cave' possibly constructed by the Victorians as a kind of folly. William Wordsworth is known to have visited the falls in 1803 with his sister Dorothy, who noted in her diary the "very beautiful prospect" available of Loch Tay from the falls. A short distance from Acharn is the very popular Scottish Crannog Centre on the south of Loch Tay Road, just outside the village of Kenmore. | ||
Facilities | Post Box, Bus Stop, Telephone Box, Private Woodland, Private Beach, Boat Jetty & Moorings, Loch, River & Mountain Views, Hill Walk, Rob Roy Way, Sustrans Cycle Trail 7. | ||
Kenmore | Distance | 1.5 miles | |
Description | Kenmore is the nearest village to “The Cottage”. A stunningly beautiful village set amidst the mountains of Highland Perthshire. Dating from the 16th century the whole village is now a conservation area. | ||
History | The history of Kenmore village stretches back to 1540. There has been settlement in the area much longer than this as witnessed by the many crannogs and stone circles in the area. The original village was actually called Inchadney and was located about 2 miles away on a ford crossing of the River Tay. The whole village was moved lock stock and barrel to its new location when the Castle was built. The new settlement was built as a "model" village by the Breadalbanes. Many of their policies were very forward thinking. For example cottages were provided for local people free of charge as long as they brought a skill to the area. Today you will find a plaque on the wall of one of the cottages which was dedicated to the village nurse. The Square has remained virtually unchanged since those days (except for cars!). As a result it has a character and charm which is almost unrivalled in Scotland. | ||
Facilities | Restaurants (Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore Club & The Courtyard at Mains of Taymouth), Bars, Post Office & Spar, Church, Delicatessen, Gift Shops, Café, Fishing, Golf, Boat Hire, Beach, Boat Moorings, Loch, River & Mountain Views, Tennis Courts, Watersports, Bike Hire, Hill Walks, Stables. | ||
Aberfeldy | Distance | 7 miles | |
Description | Aberfeldy is the nearest town to “The Cottage”. Set in the “U” shaped valley of the River Tay, the town has grown up since the 18th Century. | ||
History | Aberfeldy grew up following the building of the main road bridge by General George Wade in 1733. In 1739 the Black Watch regiment (the oldest of the Scottish Regiments) was formed the banks of the River Tay, and is now commemorated with a large memorial. The town has an industrial history ranging from cotton milling dating back to 1799 through to laundry and machine tool businesses in more recent times. Today the most striking and, for many, most interesting, industrial heritage revolves around distilling. Distilleries were set up on the outskirts of Aberfeldy and along the Tay valley at Grandtully. Grandtully distillery survived until 1909. Aberfeldy's own distillery, Pittiely, closed in 1867. It was replaced in 1896 by Aberfeldy Distillery which uses the same supply of water from the hills to the south. Aberfeldy Distillery was expanded in the 1960s and 1970s and visitors today can call in on Dewars World of Whisky, one of the more organised distillery visitor centres you are likely to find when touring around Scotland.Aberfeldy footbridge is the worlds first bridge made entirely out of composite materials. There is a lovely walk from the centre of the town to the Birks of Aberfeldy. This series of waterfalls were visited in 1787 by Robbie Burns who penned the poem of the same name. Today the town serves the local area with its shops and businesses. It was the first "Fairtrade" town in Scotland. JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame lives on the other side of the river to Aberfeldy in Killiechassie House. Freddie "Parrot-Faced" Davies is also one of the towns famous residents. | ||
Facilities | Tourist Information Centre, Restaurants, Bars, Post Office, Supermarkets, Garage, Church, Food Shops, Take Aways, Gift Shops, Banks, Estate Agents, Cafés, Fishing, Golf, River & Mountain Views, Bike Hire, Hill Walks, Watersports, Galleries, Ironmongers, Book Shops, Clothes & Shoe Shops. | ||
Killin | Distance | 18 miles | |
Description | Killinis situated just to the west of Loch Tay. At its centre is a stone bridge which carries the A827 across the River Dochart. Killin is the home to the spectacular Falls Of Dochart, which flow under the bridge and through the village. | ||
History | The history of Killin goes back thousands of years. The first settlement formed due to its location at the confluence of two rivers, the Dochart & the Lochay. After being crowned King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce in 1306 was blessed in the chapel in Killin by the Abbott of Glen Dochart, it is said to have been the inspiration he received from this blessing that helped him go on to vanquish the English later that year. The main industry of Killin was agriculture but some of the best broadswords in Scotland were originally made here. There is no industry to speak of anymore and much of the village relies on tourism for its continued existence. | ||
Facilities | Tourist Information Centre, Folklore Museum, Restaurants, Bars, Post Office, Supermarket, Garage (nearby), Church, Food Shops, Gift Shops, Bank, Café, Fishing, Golf, River & Mountain Views, Hill Walks, Watersports, Gallery. | ||
Pitlochry | Distance | 22 miles | |
Description | Pitlochry has a spectacular setting under the dramatic skyline of Ben Vrackie (2,760 feet) with the River Tummel and Loch Faskally at its base. Pitlochry is well known for its magnificent theatre and salmon ladder. An unspoiled Victorian main street has many high street and independent shops. | ||
History | Earliest settlement in the area now occupied by Pitlochry is known to have existed for over 1700 years since the Romans first used the area as a stronghold. Modern Pitlochry dates largely from Victorian times, though the area known as Moulin, once a separate village, is older. Pitlochry itself first started to grow after General George Wade built a road through the town as part of his effort to improve access to rural Scotland between 1725 and 1737 as a response to the Jacobite Rising of 1715. In 1842, Queen Victoria visited the nearby Blair Castle. Her favourable opinion of the area caused the town to be more widely noticed. After the railway station was built in 1863, Pitlochry became a favoured destination for tourists. In 1947 Pitlochry became a burgh. That year also saw the beginning of construction of a dam as part of the Tummel hydro-electric power scheme. The dam and its fish ladder are a popular tourist attraction today. The damming of the river created an artificial loch, Loch Faskally. Every year in October, Pitlochry transforms into a hub of activity for some 20,000 visitors who descend upon the town to see The Enchanted Forest sound and light show and the Pitlochry Autumn Festival that runs alongside the event. | ||
Facilities | Restaurants, Bars, Post Office, Supermarket, Church, Gift Shops, Cafés, Boat Hire, Beach, Boat Moorings, Loch, River & Mountain Views, Hill Walks, Theatre, Distilleries, Clothes & Shoe Shops, Tourist Information, Museum, Golf, Children’s Amusement Park. | ||
Perth | Distance | 39 miles | |
Description | Perth is set in the lowlands, on the banks of the River Tay. It is the county town of Perthshire. An attractive Georgian and Victorian shopping centre surrounds St John’s Kirk which is a beautiful church dating back to the 12th century. | ||
History | St John’s Toun or Perth was established as a town or burgh by King David I in the early 12th century. There was probably already a settlement there but it was an obvious place to create a new town. It was at the first spot where the River Tay could be bridged, ships could also easily sail up the river to Perth. In the Middle Ages Perth was a busy inland port. Hides, timber and fish were exported. Perth became an important market town, holding weekly markets and an annual fair. Linen and Leather were some of the more important locally manufactured goods being sold. During this time Perth was one of the richest burghs in the kingdom. In the 19th century, whisky distilling became an important industry, and, with the establishment of General Accident in 1885, a significant proportion of the workforce moved into Financial Services. Perth has always been known as “The Fair City” but in the late 1990’s, it was de-classified as a city and is now known as “The Perfect Centre” – a reference to its location being close to the exact geographic centre of Scotland. Perth is now a bustling town, with a wide range of high street shops set in Georgian and Victorian facades. Historic houses nearby include Huntingtower and Elcho Castles and Scone Palace (pronounced scoon)– the place where many Scottish Monarchs were crowned on the world famous “Stone of Scone”. | ||
Facilities | All major brands of shops and restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs, Cinema, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Concert Hall, Museums, Castles, Tourist Information, Racecourse. | ||
Crieff | Distance | 30 miles | |
Description | Known as “The Gateway To The Highlands”, Crieff is Perthshire’s second largest town. It has a beautiful mix of shops, both high street brands and independent stores. It is home to Scotland’s oldest lending library and the actors Ewan McGregor and Denis Lawson were born here. | ||
History | Crieff grew up as a market town. For a number of centuries the Highlanders came south to Crieff to sell their black cattle whose meat and hides were avidly sought by the growing urban populations in Lowland Scotland and the North of England. Rob Roy MacGregor visited Crieff on many occasions, often to sell cattle. 'Rob Roy's outlaw son' was pursued through the streets of Crieff by soldiers and killed. In 1716, 350 Highlanders returning from the Battle of Sheriffmuir burned most of Crieff to the ground and it was James Drummond, the 3rd Duke of Perth who laid out the plans for the way the town looks today. A red plaque fastened to the wall of the Drummond Arms Hotel, in Crieff's centre marks the location of Bonnie Prince Charlie's last War Counsel in February 1746 prior to reviewing his men and marching north to his final defeat at Culloden on 16 April, 1746. In the nineteenth century Crieff became a fashionable destination for tourists visiting the Highlands and as a country retreat for wealthy businessmen from Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond. It still functions as a tourist centre, and the large villas stand as testaments to its use by wealthy city-dwellers. | ||
Facilities | Restaurants, Bars, Post Office, Supermarket, Churches, Delicatessens, Gift Shops, Cafés, Banks, Clothes & Shoe Shops, Petrol Station, Famous Grouse Experience, Drummond Gardens, Glass Making Visitor Centre. | ||
Birnam & Dunkeld | Distance | 26 miles | |
Description | Dunkeld is a pretty little Perthshire village that sits on the banks of the River Tay across from neighbouring Birnam. Dunkeld is well known for it's exquisitly preserved square and surrounding streets, it's cathedral and the Thomas Telford Dunkeld Bridge. Neighbouring Birnam is well known for it's Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit connections. Birnam is home to the last remaining tree of the Birnam Wood – The Birnam Oak, made famous in Shakespeares “MacBeth”. Dunkeld is surrounded by hill country, with forested lower slopes and heather covered upper slopes. The 404 metre summit of Birnam Hill stands to the south, while to the north east of the town, is the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve. This is an especially beautiful part of Perthshire with some lovely walks by the River Tay, alongside the River Braan to the Hermitage or for the more energetic, a climb up Birnam Hill through the woods that were to spell doom for Macbeth. | ||
History | Early settlements in and around Birnam and Dunkeld date back to the early 800’s. It was always a site of significant religious importance. Dunkeld was proclaimed the first ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, by Scotland's first king, Kenneth MacAlpin. The majestic ruin of the cathedral still dominates Dunkeld today. Before the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689, the Cathedral was the centre of a busy market town. What is now The Battle of Dunkeld completely destroyed the town in 1689, but by the 18th century, Dunkeld had revived, as a centre of the shoe-trade, exporting footwear as far away as the Continent. The rebuilt town is one of the most complete 18th-century country towns in Scotland. In 1809, Thomas Telford built the splendid bridge which still carries traffic across the River Tay today. The Dunkeld Highland Games date back to 1822 and are the oldest Highland Games in Scotland.The town was visited on many occasions by Queen Victoria and her family. On one of her regular holidays to Birnam, Beatrix Potter wrote the famous letter which was to be published worldwide as "The Tale Of Peter Rabbit". In Birnam's Beatrix Potter Garden, you can meet many of her favourite characters. Cathedral Street was a crowded thoroughfare, with a market cross at one end, where, every Friday, people came from miles around to purchase local produce. The area is still known as The Cross today. | ||
Facilities | Restaurants, Bars, Post Office & Spar, Cathedral, Gift Shops, Café, Fishing, Golf, River & Hill Views, Hill & River Walks, Waterfall, Nature Reserve, Bank, Chemist, Tourist Information, Beatrix Potter Garden, Art & Furniture Gallery, Smokehouse, Off Road Driving Centre. | ||
Blair Atholl | Distance | 29 miles | |
Description | Blair Atholl is steeped in history but is noted for its famous castle and the Duke of Atholl's private army the Atholl Highlanders. Just three miles down the road is the famous pass of Killiecrankie where the first shots of the Jacobite risings were fired in 1689, over three hundred years ago. There is also a modern shopping experience at the House of Bruar, just three miles up the road, where you can also visit the spectacular Falls of Bruar. | ||
History | Blair Castle is the centre of the history of this small village. Built in the 13th Century, the castle became the last stronghold in Scotland and, is today, still the home of the only private army in Europe, The Atholl Highlanders. Blair Atholl has grown up to provide homes for the Estate workers of the Atholl Estates. In 1689 the area was the site of the Battle of Killiecrankie and a visitor centre is located to the south of Blair Atholl which tells the story of the Battle Blair Atholl's most prominent visitor to date was Queen Victoria on Sunday 15 September 1844, accompanied by Prince Albert. She was staying in Blair Castle after the birth of her fourth child, prince Alfred. | ||
Facilities | Restaurants, Bars, Post Office & General Store, Church, Delicatessen, Gift Shops, Café, Fishing, Castle, Outlet Shopping, Museum, Antiques Shops, Working Water Mill, Petrol Station & Garage. | ||
Shopping – Personal Recommendations
Produce & Provisions
Kenmore Post Office
The shop has a small variety of daily essentials like bread, ham, cheese & milk. There is also a good range of freshly baked pies and pastries. Household supplies like washing up liquid and toilet rolls can be purchased here.
The Courtyard, Kenmore
A wide selection of delicatessen items including cheese, smoked meats and pate. The Courtyard also has a good range of freshly made ice-cream, some unusual preseves and a gift shop. Some essential items like Bread, fruit and vegetables can be bought here.
Aberfeldy Butchers
The best quality meat and game in the area, used by most of the local restaurants. You will always get a friendly welcome and advice on how best to cook whatever you buy.
Farm Fresh - Aberfeldy
Cross between a delicatessen, a greengrocers and a fishmonger. The only local place to buy fresh fish.
Breadalbane Bakery - Aberfeldy
A wide selection of freshly baked bread and cakes. Also incorporates a tearoom.
House of Menzies – Weem
A good selection of delicatessen items including cheese, smoked meats and pate. The House of Menzies also has an excellent range of wines and a gift shop.
House Of Bruar - Blair Atholl
The most extensive delicatessen in Scotland. A trip to this part of the world would not be complete without visiting the House of Bruar. Every possible product is carried from smoked meat to cakes. The Delicatessen also has a café attached, and is part of the much larger outlet shopping centre. If you do go here, try the walk to the Falls of Bruar behind the car park.
Perth Farmers Market - King Edward Street, Perth
The market is held on the first Saturday of every month and has over 35 stalls of local produce.
Supermarkets
There are Co-ops in Aberfeldy, Killin & Pitlochry which sell most of the things you will need. Larger supermarkets are located in Perth (Tesco & Asda). Asda is towards Perth Centre –left at the first roundabout into Perth from the A9 (Inveralmond roundabout). For Tesco, continue on the A9 after Inveralmond Roundabout. You should take a slip road with a brown sign post for “Dobbies Garden Centre”. At the T junction, turn right, Tesco is on your right after 500yds.
High Street Branded Shops
The local villages and towns have mostly independent retailers where you will find most of the things you can get from the normal High Street. Towns like Pitlochry and Crieff are fabulous for shopping, with hardly a high street name on show. For high street brands, Perth or Stirling are the best choices locally.
Outdoor Clothing & Equipment
There are three shops in Aberfeldy and one in Killin which sell a range of outdoor clothing and equipment.
Girvans – Aberfeldy
Girvans has a wide range of equipment for walkers, mountaineers and canoeists, even stocking outboard motors! They also have bike hire and, in the shop behind the garage, you can find useful items of hardware and household equipment.
Munroes
Mostly clothing and boots, but stock a small range of equipment and Maps.
R Doig & Sons
Only stock outdoor clothing, but have a good selection including the “Weirdfish” range.
Homestyle & Gifts
Taymouth Tearoom & Gifts - Kenmore
A selection of ornaments, glassware and gifts. Situated down the hill from the Kenmore Hotel.
The Courtyard - Kenmore
Have ranges of novelty kitchenware, soaps, greetings cards, toys and gifts.
The Watermill – Aberfeldy
Award winning bookshop and gallery. There is also a coffee shop downstairs.
Homer – Aberfeldy (behind The Watermill)
A very good selection of original old country furniture; practical things for the kitchen; lovely china and linen; cushions, throws and bedspreads; lotions, potions and soaps, French tables and chairs, parasols, old garden tools, and picnic hampers.
Windows – Aberfeldy
An excellent selection of highland gifts and things for the home. Stockists of special furniture pieces made from teak root.
Spirit of Wood – Aberfeldy (up the hill past Dewars Distillery)
A fantastic 8000sq ft showroom of wooden and leather furniture. Lighting, accessories and soft furnishings. Has a coffee shop.
Enerfoil Magnum
Situated on th back road from “The Courtyard” in Kenmore to Weem. A nice selection of glassware and gifts.
The House of Menzies – Weem, by Aberfeldy
A selection of silver and contemporary jewellery, glassware, tableware, paintings and gifts. Has a café and a fantastic range of wines.
The Sheep Shop – Pitlochry
A shop that caters for everything sheep! This charming little shop is owned by Freddie “Parrot-Face” Davies and his wife.
Once A Tree – 255 High St, Perth
An excellent gift shop that deals only in wooden items as its name suggests. Everything from furniture to trinket boxes and traditional games.
House of Bruar – nr Blair Atholl
A fantastic shopping experience, which includes home and country living, outdoor wear, mens and ladies wear, Scottish Highland wear toys and a delicatessen with café. It is worth trying the walk, behind the car park to The Falls of Bruar.
Loch Lomond Shores - Balloch
A beautiful drive around Loch Lomond gets you to a great range of stores including the world famous “Jenners”. This retail outlet has something for everyone. It is worth visiting the Sea Life Centre, which is on site, while you are here.
For more information and booking details please visit our flash website here
