Festive Greetings from Abade

Perthshire has certainly had its share of seasonal weather this December. Children sledging, snowman making, a real white Christmas! Lots of fun to be had out in the open air, the scenery is wonderful in the snow!

Ask us about our early season short breaks - treat yourself to a weekend away in Perthshire. Visit our website at any time to see availability, prices and online booking. Call us on 01764 684100

Last minute bookings in October

24th to 31st October
Sleeping 2 Thatched Cottage in Newburgh
Sleeping 4 Abercromby in Bridge of Allan
Sleeping 5 Braemhor in Auchterarder

Book online or call us on 01764 684100 for part weeks and discounts, and for availablity in November.

October Holiday Home feature

Our featured cottage of the month is Aberturret Cottage. Situated one mile from Crieff, on the west side, this 4 star cottage sleeps 5.

The cottage, dates from the 19th century,and nestles in the tranquil grounds of Aberturret House, within walking distance of The Famous Grouse Distillery. One of the many pleasures of staying at Aberturret Cottage is the benefit of a large private garden with a fresh water burn running through it. This provides the perfect setting for a barbeque on warm afternoons or a peaceful few hours relaxing to the sound of nothing at all!

Aberturret Cottage has three comfortable bedrooms (all of which are situated on the upper floor). There is a generous sized double-bedded room, a single room and a larger bedroom which also contains a single futon bed. The decor throughout is tasteful and relaxing, reflecting the pastoral atmosphere of the cottage.

Several of the walks featured on Perth and Kinross Council Countryside Trust’s extensive paths network for walkers, cyclists and riders are on the doorstep of Aberturret Cottage. Ranging from one to eight miles and covering a wide variety of terrain, the Crieff Walks embrace some of the area's finest scenery.

Normal price range of £420 to £570 per week or £12 to £16 per head per night when fully occupied for 7 nights. We believe that Aberturret Cottage offers excellent value for money.

Snap up bargain weeks 10 – 16 October at £416 (normally £520), 24th to 31st October at £468 (£520) or ask us about the October bargains in our other Abade properties. Visit our website and book online at any time, most 2010 prices showing now.

Late breaks for week 26th September

It's a fabulous time of year to visit Scotland; the leaves are just beginning to turn colour, the days have been beautifully sunny, with a hint of chill in the evenings - we call it harvest weather.

Abade has a number of late offers to tempt you, including The Wee House at The Loaning near Crieff. A perfect little getaway for 2 at only £320 for the week. Walk into the local village of Muthill to a lovely restaurant or play on the 9-hole golf course, only a short step away.

For 2/4 Moulinalmond has a lovely setting only a few minutes from Perth and with a walled garden to relax in and an open fire for the evenings at £369 for the week.

For 4, Glenmhor in Auchterarder (famed for its excellent shops and proximity to The Gleneagles Hotel) is £495 for the week and Windsor Gardens at Gleneagles Village is £489.50

For these and other options, see our website or call us on 01764 684100 we'd be delighted to find you a place to suit your taste and budget.

Perthshire for Apple Orchards

One of Scotland’s main apple growing areas, dating back 800 years, was the Carse of Gowrie, situated between Perth and Dundee, to the north of the River Tay. The old Scottish Orchards once numbered tens of thousands of trees and, as part of the celebrations of its 200th anniversary, the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society wants to encourage the planting of new orchards. Native varieties include The James Grieve, The Coul Blush, The Bloody Ploughman, The Cambusnethan Pippin, The Lass O’Gowrie and The White Melrose.

A Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust survey found that, of 50 recorded orchards, only 17 remainand only 9 of those have any commercial potential. This year’s apple conference will be held at the Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and hopefully the blooming of more apple trees will follow; good for us, our environment, our insects and and birds.

Don't forget to look at the What's On and Places to Visit sections on Abade. Remember that late season can be a wonderful time to visit. Book a short break or longer to enjoy some spectacular autumn colours.

Perthshire for archaeology

Much work has been done over the years on excavating sites of archeological interest. Visitors are familiar with the Roman Camp at Ardoch and the fine reconstruction of the ancient settlement at the Crannog near Kenmore where underwater survey continues.

Recently a rare 4000-year old Bronze Age grave has been uncovered at Forteviot only a few miles from Perth. Covered with a huge 4-ton sandstone slab that was removed by a crane, the grave is described as “spectacular” by experts. The site where the find was made is where Kenneth McAlpin, the first king of a united Scotland, died in AD858

A Historic Scotland spokesman said, “ Bronze Age cist burials are not uncommon finds in Scotland, but early indications from this new discovery, both the quality of the grave goods and also the careful construction and decoration of the burial cists, suggest that the individual buried here was someone of the highest social standing – and that is very rare and very exciting.”

Visit our Places to Visit and What's On pages for fascinating visits to make during your Perthshire holiday.

Scone Palace Orchid Show

The Orchid Show at Scone Palace

A vist to Scone Palace is worthwhile at any time. It’s open between April and October. Scone Palace was the crowning place of the Kings of Scotland and the original home of the Stone of Destiny which now lies in Edinburgh Castle.

On the first weekend in August, there is an Orchid Show in the grounds. The Head Gardener at the Palace for over 20 years, Peter Timony, produces a wonderful show of orchids in the Palace and is renowned for his knowledge and experience on how to grow orchids.

A Jazz Band played in the grounds, the sun shone, Scots Chef, Kevin MacGillvray ran a barbecue and it was a wonderful day out.

Remember to look at the Places to Visit and What’s On sections of our website. There are so many reasons to holiday in Perthshire.

The Gathering 2009

The Gathering of the Clans in Holyrood Park

An estimated 30,000 people gathered at Holyrood Park, at the foot of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh on the last weekend in July for The Gathering 2009. There was music from popular bands, Capercaillie and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Pipe Bands, Highland dancing, readings from Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Hamilton, who talked about his involvement with the Stone of Destiny, and a whole host of other things. We watched some spectacular caber tossing.

There were dozens of Clan tents where visitors could find out more about their family roots, and staff from of the General Register for Scotland giving advice on genealogy.

It was a well run event, with visitors from all over the world. Crafts were of very high quality, catering well run and litter pickers everywhere. There was a real sense of family coming together from every part of the world and a warmth and friendship that was worth the visit alone.

Late breaks in August update

Grab a late break in August from one of the following offers

For 4 people
Tuarach in Comrie £340 for full week from 18th August. Glenmhor in Auchterarder at reduced weekly rate £625.50 (£695).

For 6 people
The 5 Star Barossa Apartment in Perth, sleeps 6, available from 21st August for 7 nights at £736 (normally £836).

To see full details of each holiday home and make a booking, visit the website or call us on telephone number 01764 684100

Perthshire raspberry crop in July

July is the time of year when raspberries are ripe and utterly delicious. Perthshire is famed for its production of this crop where the soft summer climate is particularly favourable for its growth.

To grow raspberries, the first year after planting, the flowers should be removed to help the plant build up reserves. From the second year, plants are normally ready for harvesting in July. In winter the flowered canes should be pruned to ground level. Fruit is ripe and ready for picking when it has turned a deep red colour and falls off the stem easily.

Even though you can buy raspberries almost all year round, nothing compares with the taste of the berries from the Blarigorwie and East Perthshire crop. After you have had your fill of just eating them fresh, with or without cream, our family favourite way of dealing with a glut of raspberries, after making delicious raspberry jam to enjoy all year round, is to bake them under a crumble mixture – pure heaven – enjoy!

Late availability in August

We have a very few vacancies on offer for the week 1st to 8th August.
Glenmhor in Auchterarder (sleeps 4) reduced to £625.50.
Guthrie Court, Gleneagles Village (sleeps 5) reduced to £675.
West Blairmore, near Crieff (sleeps 8) reduced to £855 (newly available this summer)

8th to 15th August has vacancies in the following holiday homes:
Benview Lodges near Aberfoyle (sleeps 6), Thatched Cottage in Newburgh (sleeps 2) , in Perth Fiscal’s Flat (sleeps 2), and The Barossa Apartment (sleeps 6) available 6 nights only.

Book online or call us on 01764 684100 as we may also be able to offer part weeks, and don't forget to look at the options for your late summer holiday or autumn break.

Notice that each month we post a what's on calendar showing the list of events, places to visit, gardens open, highland games, concerts and theatres in Perthshire.

Some Abade holiday homes are taking bookings for 2010. You can see availability and prices online.

Last Minute Holidays week 25th July

There’s just time for you to pack your bags and head for Perthshire to enjoy some fabulous scenery, lots to see and do, and a very warm welcome. Week 25th July to 1st August.

In our hand-picked selection of holiday homes in Perthshire, we have had a cancellation in Moulinalmond, a secluded 3 star wing of a Victorian House, with walled garden for you to explore. It sleeps 2 to 4 and the offer price is £396. See full details and book online.

Also available, 4 stars, sleeping 2, the North Inch Apartment at £395 and Bijou at £360. Both in Perth and offering a perfect setting to explore town and country.

Visit our website or call us on 01764 684100

Getting to Edinburgh the easy way from Perth

The question we are most frequently asked by our visitors is about getting to Edinburgh. We’re all naturally anxious about travel in a new city, even with a navigation system. What visitors are looking for is information from a local about the best way to get there.

We tell visitors about the Rark + Ride at Broxden on the west side of Perth. With free parking for your car and hourly links to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Inverness slightly less frequently, it’s the perfect way to take the strain out of the day, leaving all the energy you’ll need to take in the sights of the capital city. The bus takes you right into Edinburgh’s George Square, a very short walk from Princes Street.

You can book online on the Megabus but do look at our travel information page for this and other useful tips, and of course at £1 per return journey Park + Ride is the perfect way to enjoy a day out in Perth.

More choice on Abade with 2 new holiday homes

We have two new holiday homes to introduce. They are letting for the very first time this year so there are plenty of opportunities to book.


Cambushinnie Croft, a superb and very spacious 4 Star holiday home on a working farm sleeping 6 situated between the villages of Braco and Kinbuck, and just 4 miles north of the cathedral town of Dunblane. Wonderful views towards the Ochil Hills and Sheriffmuir. Book here.





West Blairmore Cottage, a substantial holiday home with large rooms, beautifully furnished by the interior designer owner, sleeping 8. Views over Strathearn, this house is conveniently situated between Perth and Crieff. Book here.

Stay at Abade

At Abade we are constantly looking for ways to improve our service to our holiday makers/ We provide greater flexibility than most self catering operators, offering weekly lets, short breaks and several properties with a completely flexible approach to length of stay and date of arrival and departure … we aim to give visitors to Perthshire exactly what they want. We get some great ideas from guests so please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. And if the property of your choice is not available exactly when you want it, ask us for the most suitable alternative. Family holidays, a short breaks, business trips, visiting friends and relatives, bringing your dog are all catered for.


Each month on our blog we will bring you samples of great value for money breaks available to book.

Each property has been personally inspected and many owners belong to the VisitScotland Quality Standards Scheme. High standards, cleanliness and good service are assured by each owner. Abade Self Catering homes offer much more than this however and guests will find an excellent supply of visitor information on a whole range of places to visit and activities in the holiday house as well as games, books, often a supply of videos, some have games rooms, all to provide indoor entertainment and information at the end of the day's touring or activity. Abade's visitors have the comfort of knowing that each individual owner is on hand to chat about the area to ensure that every minute of guests precious time in Perthshire is used to the full. To check availability or to book please go to your chosen property and click the "availability and booking" button.


From your Abade holiday home, visit our castles such as Blair, Glamis, Stirling, Edinburgh and Scone Palace; distilleries such as The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret; glorious gardens such as Branklyn and Drummond Castle; theatre at Pitlochry, Perth and Dundee As for golf, Perthshire alone has more than 40 courses to choose from, and there’s a host of outdoor pursuits and indoor visits. Each Abade property will have an excellent selection of literature available for you to use during your stay. You will find good shopping, whether your taste is for antiques or cashmere's, modern design or the best of Scottish products, some excellent eating out, ranging from the cheap and cheerful to the best of gastronomic cuisine. We will try to ensure that every minute of guests’ precious time in the Heart of Scotland is used to the full.


From this very accessible part of Scotland visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and St Andrews and trips to Royal Deeside, The Trossachs, Inverness and Glencoe may all be possible. And you won’t always have to take the car if you use the excellent Bus and Train Services from Perth.


Scotland is full of surprises and experience tells us that visitors to Scotland love the hues and tones of the heather-clad hills, the light evenings in the summer months, and wonderful autumn colours. In the off-season Scotland’s scenery can be particularly rewarding and a city break at any time of year will be packed with interesting things to do and see. No matter when you come, you can be sure of a warm Scottish welcome.