A quick break in Perthshire

We decided to have a night away “just because” and hoped to catch some benefit from the unexpected heatwave. We chose a return visit to Monachyle Mhor (near Balquhidder) after some 20 or mare years since our last visit.

Our journey started with a hop over the Forth to the Pineapple near Falkirk. Another one of our “must do that one day” things that took over 35 years to get round to!

It is such a lovely peaceful place and the weather was indeed behaving so a lovely wander about in almost perfect isolation.

Next we stopped off in Callander – a regular haunt as we power up & down the A84 to and from whatever place up north we are visiting. It is a little more ‘touristy’ than it used to be but seems to be thriving. None of the empty shop syndrome we see in so many other places. Ally was pleased to find a new souvenir shop – not sure what attracted her to this place.

We decided against hanging around for lunch and pressed on to the hotel. We had been warned of road closures on booking but were told on Wednesday that there would be no restrictions on the day of travel Thursday. Obviously the council’s plans were ‘fluid’ and there was indeed work going on just a mile short of our destination. We got through though with a bit of a scowl from the workmen!

So to Monachyle Mhor – we came many years ago (late 1990s we think) when it took on its current format. We did enjoy the first visit enough to return not too long after but that last visit left us disappointed. Nothing drastic but somebody’s eye was off the ball and the quality of the food had dipped a fair bit.

The location is just stupendous – between two lochs (Voil & Doine) and a good 8 miles form anything resembling a decent road. There grounds are peaceful and quiet and we adjourned to the bar for a light lunch (a very excellent cheese sharing platter) and a drink. After nap we went out for a wee stroll round the local area. A selection of photos follow.

Heading back up to the hotel we found the Face of Stone – not clear if it is a completely natural phenomenon but it is impressive.

We sat in the garden of the hotel bathed in glorious sunshine with a drink before returning to the room to get ready of dinner. Dinner was good enough – not fine dining but never intended to be. A little overpriced maybe but when the staff are so good at what they do (I love to see well trained hospitality staff at work) it eases the niggle quite a bit.

This was a very good, almost impromptu, escape for just the one night and we were lucky with the weather.