Notes from the host
Milton of Drimmie Farmhouse
STL No: PK11166F
EPC: E
Featuring a large open plan living space along with a separate TV/games room, it is the ideal property for a gathering of friends or family. The property is no more than 2 hours drive from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen sitting just outside Blairgowrie on the edge of the Highlands; the Cairngorms & Glenshee Ski Centre is a 30min drive, making it a perfect location for people who wish to explore the great outdoors.
The property, at capacity can host up to 15 guests, comprising of 3 bedrooms in the main farmhouse (sleeps 8) and a further 3 bedrooms in the ground floor annex (sleeps up to 6). There is also a sofa bed in the TV room (sleeps additional 2).
The property configuration is as follows:
MAIN FARMHOUSE GROUND FLOOR:
- Large open plan living space with log-burning stove comprising of fully equipped kitchen, breakfast room, living room and dining room and;
- TV/games room with Wii console and double sofa bed and;
- Family bathroom and;
- Drying/utility room.
MAIN FARMHOUSE UPSTAIRS:
- Bedroom 1: Master bedroom, Super king size bed with en-suite bathroom and;
- Bedroom 2: Double bedroom with king size bed and;
- Bedroom 3: Single bedroom with single bed which can be extended to a double bed on request and;
- Family bathroom
GROUND FLOOR ANNEX:
- Bedroom 1: Double bedroom either twin or super king size bed and single bed with adjacent shower room and;
- Bedroom 2: Bedroom with super king/twin beds and;
- Bedroom 3: Bedroom with either twin or super king size bed with adjacent shower room.
OUTSIDE SPACE:
- Full access to garden
- Children's play area with swings and sandpit and;
- Gazebos and firepit and;
- Ample parking for 6 cars and;
Your stay at Milton of Drimmie Farmhouse can be as relaxing or as active as you wish. Here are a few things to do within easy reach:
ON THE ESTATE:
SALMON FISHING: Milton of Drimmie has some of the best spate river salmon fishing in Scotland. We have five rods available across four beats; three rods on the River Ericht, at Milton of Drimmie, and two rods on the Black Water and River Ardle at Bridge of Cally. Fishing is by fly – spinners may be permissible in high water conditions. Please contact us to book and to arrangement payment (usually by BACS transfer). Our day rates per rod are:
•£50/rod during July, August and September;
•£40/rod in June and October (1st-15th);
•£30/rod in May; and
•£60/day for a ghillie (if required)
The fishing is some of the least well-known. Our beats are on the River Ardle, the Black Water, and the River Ericht – all tributaries of the River Tay, via the River Isla.
The River Ardle and the Black Water meet just below Bridge of Cally, to form the River Ericht. We have single bank fishing on the bottom beats of the Black Water and River Ardle – each about half a mile in length. The beats meet at the junction pool at the head of the River Ericht. The beats on the River Ericht, at Milton of Drimmie, start a short distance downstream from the confluence.
The first fish reach us in late May, with the main grilse runs arriving in mid-June, July and August depending on conditions. Fishing continues until 15th October when the Tay season ends. Guests will usually be met at the start of their first day. If you would like further assistance we can arrange a ghillie for you.
TROUT FISHING: Fishing for wild brown trout can be arranged on the river, or on two hill lochs. Access is on foot, or by 4×4 with reasonable clearance. An estate ghillie can be arranged for novice fishermen and/or to drive you to/from the lochs.
Fishing tackle shops nearby - James Crockart and Kate Fleming, both excellent fishing and country sports shops in nearby Blairgowrie, should be able to provide any tackle should you need, as well as tips for fishing in the area. They are located next door to each other on Allan Street in the middle of the town
DEER STALKING: The glen and surrounding hills have strong populations of roe deer and fallow deer, as well as some red deer. Deer stalking can be arranged with the estate at any time of year subject to the usual seasons.
SHOOTING: Rough or driven shooting (pheasants, partridges) can be arranged with the estate. Goose (greylag, Canada, and pinkfoot) and duck (mostly mallard and teal) flighting may sometimes be available. Clay pigeon shooting and rifle target practice can be arranged with the estate. Costs vary depending on the guests’ requirements. There is also a world class clay pigeon shooting ground at Auchterhouse, about forty minutes away.
WALKING: Milton of Drimmie has a number of footpaths passing through it – including the Cateran trail – and covers a range of different habitats.
WILDLIFE: The rivers at Milton of Drimmie are part of the River Tay Special Area of Conservation. Our hill ground, nearby, is part of the Forest of Clunie Site of Special Scientific Interest & Special Protection Area – 50,000 acres of heather moorland, bogs, and hill lochs.
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LOCAL ACTIVITIES
HILL-WALKING: The Cairngorms national park, home to five of the six highest mountains in Scotland, is ten miles north of Milton of Drimmie. There are over fifty Munros in the Cairngorms – enough to keep the most ardent Munro-bagger busy for a wee while. Walk Highlands has an excellent website which lists and maps popular walks in the area along with distance, duration and difficulty.
HIKING: The Cateran Trail crosses the farm twice. This is a well-known long distance route that straddles the border between Perthshire and Angus. The Trail explores this neglected corner, taking in secluded Strathardle together with parts of Glenshee and Glenisla. Taking its name from the marauding bands of cattle thieves known as Caterans which brought terror and bloodshed to these glens in times past, the landscapes are now a peaceful idyll.
THE CATERAN YOMP: Hardcore hikers may want to attempt the Cateran Yomp which takes place in early June. Route options are 22 miles, 36 miles, and 54 miles – a Ghurka team set a record of 12 hours to complete the latter!
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING: The Glenshee Ski Centre is a 40-minute drive north of Milton of Drimmie. The Lecht Ski Centre (1.5 hours), and Cairngorm Ski Centre (2.25 hours) are alternatives for those prepared to travel – each is fantastic on its day, but wrap up warm and check ahead for the weather. You can see the Glenshee webcams for the latest conditions. Skis, snowboards and other equipment can be hired in Bridge of Cally, or at the ski centres.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: For instruction and guiding in mountaineering, rock climbing and ice climbing Mountain Summits, based in Enochdhu, can provide guiding and instruction.
OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Gulabin Outdoor Centre runs a range of land and water-based outdoor activities – including the Glenshee mountain bike track, open June to September, which is accessed by a single seat chairlift which takes you to the top of the Cairnwell – 2,998ft.
CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING: There is a world class clay pigeon shooting ground at Auchterhouse, about half an hour away.
GOLF: There are about 100 holes of golf within 25 minutes of Milton of Drimmie. These vary from the championship level courses at Rosemount and Lansdowne (Blairgowrie), to the family-friendly course at Dalmunzie (Spittal of Glenshee) – one of the highest and most scenic courses in the UK. In between, we have Alyth – voted Scotland’s ‘Best Course Under £50’ in 2015 – and Strathmore (both near Alyth) as well as the Wee Course in Blairgowrie. There are a dozen further courses within an hour’s drive – not to mention St Andrews, the home of golf, and Carnoustie, which are a little over an hour away by car.
MORE FISHING: Dougy Morison of Kinnear Fishing is a well known local fishing guide who can arrange fishing on a number of beats up and down the Tay basin, as well as sometimes ghillie’ing at Milton of Drimmie.
GIN TASTING: A favourite for a rainy day (or any other, for that matter) is a visit to the Persie Distillery – four miles away. They are open most days or you can contact Simon & Chrissie, who founded the distillery in 2016, to organise a group tasting.
THE REEKIE LINN: The Reekie Linn (or smoky pool), on the River Isla, is the most impressive waterfall in the area and is well worth a visit when the river is in spate. The waterfall itself is a short walk from the car park.
CASTLES: There are a number of stately homes and historic houses in the area including four of Scotland’s most famous castles:
•Scone Palace, Perth (40 minutes south) – the crowning place of Scottish Kings, and the home of the Stone of Scone, for nearly 1,000 years
•Blair Castle, Blair Atholl (55 minutes west)) – home of the only legal private army in Europe, the Atholl Highlanders
•Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside (1 hour north) – the highland residence of the royal family
•Glamis Castle, Kirriemuir (35 minutes east) – home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, and of the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
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