Hello Everyone,
How are you all? I can’t believe its June already – May just seems to have vanished under a wave of new property visits and several jaunts around Perthshire. We’ve been really lucky to add five new properties in Aberfeldy to Home From Home Perthshire (links to them all at the bottom of the blog!) so I’ve been forced to spend a few glorious days across in this gorgeous part of our Highland county.
It all kicked off in late April and as I was wandering around the town centre one sunny afternoon I noticed a poster for the Aberfeldy Farmers Market which was due to have its first event of 2015. Held on the first Sunday of the month in Aberfeldy Town square it struck me that I should juggle a few visits to fit in a stroll around this great fabulous foodie event. And boy was I glad I did – it is a bustling, lively wee market offering the very best of Perthshire’s produce including The Egg Shed, Charlotte Flowers Chocolates, Dunkeld Smoked Salmon, Allan’s Chilli Products and much, much more! I couldn’t resist a wee box of chocs from Charlotte; every time I bite into that salted caramel I happily concur with every judge who has ever given her an award (and there are many!).
In full on foodie mood, I head to the The Aberfeldy Watermill & Homer who are celebrating their tenth birthday this year. I love this venue and try to visit whenever I’m here (any excuse for a scone!). The converted oatmeal mill has an award-winning bookshop, art gallery, cafè and design-led homeware floor which opened two years ago.
As much as I love our area and all its hidden gems, I am aware that I’m in the business of ‘selling;’ it! That’s why I love it when the ‘big guys’ come up to visit and say wonderful things about the favourites I have right here on my doorstep. Lonely Planet came to visit Aberfeldy Watermill and said ' could while away several hours' and Scotland The Best said, '-round life enhancer'. How great is that?!
Determined now to make a day out of my Sunday rest I decided to pop into The Scottish Crannog Centre, which I hadn’t visited for ages! Crannogs are a type of ancient loch-dwelling found throughout Scotland and Ireland that seem to have been built as individual homes to accommodate extended families. The authentic crannog reconstruction at Aberfeldy was built by the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology and formed to promote the research, recording, and preservation of Scotland' underwater heritage.
It is a fantastic 5-star visitor attraction and so interesting, with an educational centre and a Gold Award for best practice in environmental management. It’s one of those great places that everyone will enjoy – from toddlers to grannies! Visitors can take a look at the underwater discoveries in the exhibition, walk over water into the Iron Age and test your skills at ancient crafts. I noticed that they had dugout canoes for hire and I’ve made a mental note to come back with the kids and have a go! If you are staying for a few days then check out their website as they run fab events that featuring artists, musicians, skilled craft workers and other specialists.
I’d already finished my little box of four chocolates from Charlotte Flowers and having text my husband to say “I’ve picked us up a chocolaty treat” I knew I’d have to pop into the Highland Chocolatier on my way home! Grandtully is home Iain Burnett and it is here he creates his award-winning artisan chocolates in his Chocolate Kitchen. There’s a chocolate shop, a gift showroom, a Scottish Chocolate Centre with a small multi-media exhibition and Legends Coffee and Chocolate House where you can enjoy lunch or a snack. I decided to resist sitting down and gorging on another cake (seriously, it’s a good jib the walking up here is so good because the food and treats are amazing!) and left with a little box of mixed truffles and my secret intact!
And now, as promised, if you’ve been tempted to join us for a break in Aberfeldy then why not check out one of our new properties over on the website here: Holiday Homes in Aberfeldy
I hope to see you all very soon,
Beaxx
This was a fantastic stay right in the heart of the town of Pitlochry. Shops and some fantastic restaurants are right around the corner making it so easy to get around on foot. We used Pitlochry as a base to access more of the highlands and it worked well.
No 1 The Bank
Our family of 6 adults were very comfortable in this cozy cottage. Walkable to Pitlochry, great pub next door and nice little garden, we had everything we needed.
Auld Smiddy Cottage
Beautiful, light and clean holiday. Everything you need was there from washing machine, dryer, iron, oven, micro, kettle, etc. (only no dishwasher) A very friendly, correct host who does everything to make the stay as pleasant as possible. Conveniently located for excursions but only with a car! Tip for eating in the neighborhood "Uisge bar and restaurant" Annelies and family