Atholl Highland Lodges offer holidaymakers the chance to share in the rich history of Atholl Estates which, at 145,000 acres, is one of Scotland’s largest.
Home to the major visitor attraction of Blair Castle, Atholl Estates has unveiled its 2014 holiday accommodation prices and is hoping for another bumper season.
Mike Dukes, estate manager, said: “Clearly, we were very fortunate with the weather last year, in that it was both a hot summer with prolonged spells of good weather and a mild autumn, too, which extended the season. This certainly boosted numbers throughout our various accommodation options, including our popular caravan park, and we reported high numbers of general visitors out and about in the area coming into the castle and the grounds.
“We do feel, however, that we can hopefully repeat this again in 2014, regardless of what the Scottish weather does. Our range of self-catering accommodation – from caravans to spacious Scandinavian-style woodland lodges to shooting lodge-style holiday houses, known as the Atholl Highland Lodges, all quite unique and rich in character – is something of a unique selling point, for us. It’s not just the quality of the accommodation and the personable service which goes with it that makes a stay at Atholl Estates so special, it’s the fact that our guests experience an authentic Scottish estate which has been a vital part of rural and economic life in this area for centuries,” he added.
“We are a one-stop shop in that we offer onsite activities, too, such as Land Rover tours with our retired gamekeeper Sandy; he brings the history of the estate alive. Families can also enjoy pony trekking and tractor tours and we have numerous walking and biking trails all around us,” added Mike.
Atholl Estates stretch from Dunkeld in the South into Blair Atholl and the Cairngorms National Park itself in the north. With a variety of environments from heather-clad hills to wooded glens, forests, lochs and rivers to rolling farmland, it is a paradise for nature lovers, walkers, fishermen and cyclists.
Highland Perthshire is also far more accessible than the northern Highlands beyond Inverness, with a drive time of just over an hour from the central belt. The scenery is much more lush and green than the craggy Highlands and has traditionally delighted visitors including Queen Victoria, who first made the area popular as a tourist destination.
“This is, indeed, a very special place to holiday in and a fantastic way to experience Highland Perthshire, especially for those who want to come in groups and don’t want a hotel,” said Mike.
“We offer real flexibility, with price options to suit every budget, and you can explore at your own pace or use our knowledgeable staff to guide you. One of our gamekeepers has been with us for 50 years and his father before him was a gamekeeper here, too. It’s a way of life which is very precious to us and which we are very keen to retain into the 21st century.”
There is certainly a buzz in the air for all accommodation and visitor attractions in Scotland at the moment, with the Year of Homecoming, the Ryder Cup nearby in Gleneagles and the Commonwealth Games kicking off in Glasgow in the summer.
“This is in many ways a triple whammy which is boosting everyone’s spirits and putting Scotland as a tourist destination well and truly on the world map,” said Mike.
The Atholl Estates self-catering accommodation is not just a summer-season holiday business. The five Highland Lodges on the estate – from the smallest, Marble Lodge, which was formerly a shepherd’s cottage, to 20-sleeper Forest Lodge, which sits in a dramatic and secluded setting in the heart of Glen Tilt – all enjoy good all-year-round occupancy as they are very popular in December, January and February for larger shooting parties. They are all dog friendly, too, meaning your pet can join you on your holidays.
Prices for lets of the Atholl Highland Lodges at Atholl Estates start from £350 for a short break let (two or three nights) for Marble Lodge. (Price valid until June 27, 2014).
The two-bedroom Woodland Lodges start from £260 for a four-night short break let (Monday-Friday) and from £260 for a Friday-Monday three-night let. The three-bedroom lodges are from £320 for four nights midweek and three nights Friday-Monday. Prices valid until March 24, 2014.
A two-bedroom caravan holiday home will cost from £250 for a short stay (Friday-Monday or Monday-Friday) rising to £425 for a Saturday-Saturday stay. Three-bedroom caravan stays are from £299, rising to £475 depending on length of stay. Prices valid until May 23, 2014.
For further information and to book, call Helen Graham on 01796 481355, e-mail Helen@atholl-estates.co.uk, and for the woodland lodges and caravans call 01796 481263, e-mail mail@blaircastle caravanepark.co.uk or visit www.blaircastlecaravan park.co.uk