Monday 10 October 2016

Perthshire - the Place to Be this Autumn



Having left the summer season behind (this morning was a bit nippy to say the least!) the Abade team are all looking forward to the crisp days of Autumn and all the fantastic events in and around Perthshire at this magical time of year.

As the leaves turn and the days shorten we still have some great properties available to book, whether it’s for a short 3 night break or for a 7 night stay you will be sure to find something to suit your budget and your needs.

As well as the usual activities of golf, hill walking and fishing in the surrounding area we have lots of events and happenings to fill your days and brighten your nights.

October
It’s always a busy month for Perthshire.  The award winning Enchanted Forest runs throughout the month at Faskally Wood, Pitlochry. Check out ticket availability here.

For the more energetic of us Perth plays host once again to the Fair City Enduro which, in the organisers own words “is like a weird daydream full of breath-taking trails, breath-taking views and even more breath-taking outfits and is guaranteed to be the only race where you see Dracula on the entry list!”

Scone Palace brings us “All Hallows Eve”. This atmospheric tour of sound and light will guide you around the garden and graveyard.  It will have your spine tingling and your imagination running wild! Find out more here.

November
For music lovers and Perthshire lovers we once again welcome Dougie Maclean’s Perthshire Amber Festival. A pure delight, the festival offers us fantastic music in unusual venues throughout the region. 
Everyone loves Chocolate right?  Scotland’s Outdoor Festival of Chocolate will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November in the city centre. The event will be a celebration of all things chocolate with market stalls selling mouth-watering chocolate bars; buttons; sauces; jams; spreads; cakes; truffles and so much more...

Perth’s Horsecross Concert Hall plays host to numerous events throughout November from Rufus Wainwright solo show to the Russian State Ballet’s The Nutcracker.  Something for everyone. Check out their What's on page for further info

In the news.....
Perth also recently announced that it is bidding for “UK City of Culture 2021” and the official launch event takes place on November 20th at various venues throughout the town.  This exciting bid, supported by renowned town planner and fashion guru Wayne Hemingway, will bring together Perth and the surrounding rural areas to promote culture and investment in the city.  An exciting time for everyone involved.  Find out more about the bid here

Perthshire really is the place to be this Autumn!

Tuesday 9 August 2016

2016 – The Year of the Staycation


If you are wondering if you made the right decision with your holiday plans for 2016 and you feel the slight pang of jealousy when your workmates return to the office all bronzed and full of sunshine smiles and memories of sandy beaches – then take solace from the fact that 84% of people will be making UK trips this year.

In this post Brexit climate it is estimated that for a family of 4 to go abroad the cost will have increased on average by £245. That’s a lot of Sangria!

As you can imagine, Scotland is one of the most popular destinations for a staycation and with all the variety it has to offer, Perthshire is one of the most popular destinations in Scotland.

The area is experiencing an extremely busy year in 2016 with lots of events and festivals drawing in visitors from all parts of the UK. Good news for local businesses as an estimated £8million will be pumped into the UK economy as a whole throughout the year.

Perthshire is a very accessible part of Scotland - packed with alternatives, from golf to gardens, from castles to ceilidhs, from a classical concert to a remote highland Perthshire glen with dramatic scenery and wildlife the only company. 

And it’s not just the summer months that bring in the action.  As we slide on into August it’s Highland Games season with Perth, Crieff and Aberfeldy all offering 
up a day to remember. 

Blair Castle Horse Trials return at the end of the month (last year this event was attended by over 63,000 people – 40% of them saying that it was their main reason for visiting the area!)

The Enchanted Forest takes place throughout October at Pitlochry and visitors come from all over Scotland and the North of England.  And if music is your passion the Amber Music Festival is a popular event in Perthshire and usually summons the start of the Autumn season bringing people to the area just in perfect time to showcase the season’s beautiful colours.


All in all, a staycation in Perthshire is something to be excited about.  It may not give you a tan to show off to your colleagues (unless you are lucky!) but you’ll sleep well in your holiday home knowing that you are helping the boost the economy of this fantastic region.

Tuesday 31 May 2016

Summer in Perthshire - A Haven for Music Lovers!

Perth and Perthshire really comes to life in the summer months as we welcome visitors to the county.  

One of the biggest pulls to the area is the plethora of Music Festivals available throughout the summer.  Bringing together Scotland’s amazing appetite for music, food & art our Festivals are a fantastic reason to visit Perth and the surrounding area.

Whether you are into your folk music or you love a good boogie to your favourite 80s artists or you are bringing your kids to Scotland’s Famous T in the Park then Perthshire is the place for you.

Here is a selection of musical delights to come to the area this year

Solas Festival -  The Bield at Blackruthven: June 17th to 19th
Solas is a weekend long festival open to all ages in the celebration of music and the arts designed to inspire and challenge as well as entertain. Their aim is place art in its wider historical, cultural and political context, allowing visitors to experience an inclusive and tolerant space.
For further details visit their website - http://www.solasfestival.co.uk/

Suggested accommodation
North Inch Apartment, Perth
Erricht Apartment, Perth

Rewind Festival – Scone Palace 22nd-24th July
The biggest and wildest celebration of the music of the 1980s returns to Perthshire for another year! Whether you want a blast from the past or just enjoy listening to the classics, Rewind offers a high energy experience with 27 top acts over the course of one weekend.
This year’s headliners include household names and genuine music legends like Adam Ant and Marc Almond, as well as retro favourites like ABC and Toyah, plus an assortment of acts courtesy of the British Electro Foundation, including The Lotus Eaters, Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory and Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes.

Want to know more? Check out their website here: http://www.rewindfestival.com/scotland

Be quick though – tickets are selling fast!

Suggested Accommodation 
Rose Apartment, Perth City Centre



T in the Park – Strathallan Castle 8th - 10th July
Scotland’s most famous festival and now in its new home at Strathallan Castle returns this Juyl bursting with acts that will make your hair curl.  Headline acts this year include the newly reformed Stone Roses with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris taking the coverted headline spot on the Saturday.  The music festival that offers something for everyone and attracts visitors from all around the world still has some tickets for sale.  But be quick – this event sells out quickly.  Have a look at their website for further information http://www.tinthepark.com/
Suggested accommodation 
Craigrossie, Guthrie Park, Gleneagles Estate
The Coach House 
Ruggles Cottage 
Isle of Murray.

Abade Self Catering would be happy to discuss your accommodation needs throughout the summer season in Perth and we look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful part of Scotland.

For more information on Abade Self Catering please visit our website http://www.abade.co.uk/

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Wednesday 13 April 2016

What’s to come in 2016...

With summer just around the corner we’ve lined up the rest of our Perthshire Guide 2016, giving you some great ideas about what is going on in Perthshire from July through until December. We’ve rounded up the best events, activities and experiences, all you have to do is decide when to visit!

If you want an idea of what you can get up to in April-June, check out our first post here.

July
This month Scone Palace host a number of events in their spectacular grounds. The GWCT Game Fair takes place on from 1st-3rd July. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and, with over 300 stands, you might even bag yourself a bargain. There’s a wide range of competitions, displays and demonstrations. If 80’s music is more your thing – you’re in luck as Rewind Festival takes place in the grounds of Scone Palace on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of the month. With acts such as Rick Astley, Holly Johnson, Tony Hadley, ABC, Adam Ant and Midge Ure gracing the stage, it’ll be a weekend to remember…just don’t forget your legwarmers!

The Hermitage, by Dunkeld
August
August is the perfect month to try out a Highland Safari. With a huge variety of exciting journeys through the magnificent scenery of Highland Perthshire, there’s a Safari for every desire! It is also home to The Red Deer Centre, where you can go face-to-face with Britain’s largest native land mammal – the Red Deer. Enjoy a hands-on Barn Owl demonstration as well as experiencing the wonders on a fun and inspiring walk through the countryside.

September
We think there’s nothing more beautiful than Perthshire when Autumn begins and the leaves turn into a mass of gold and orange. There are lots of magical walks around Perthshire, but there’s something extra special about a walk around the Hermitage near Dunkeld. A beautiful coniferous and deciduous wooded gorge, with the stunning Black Linn Waterfall, you can follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth and marvel at the magnificent scenery. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for Ossian’s Hall with sliding panels and mirrored artwork – it’s sure to surprise you! Whilst you’re in the area the Beatrix Potter Exhibition at the Birnam Arts Centre is worth a visit, keeping enthusiasts and children amused with a stroll through the beautiful Beatrix Potter Garden to visit Mrs Tiggy Winkle in her house and a hunt for Peter Rabbit!

October
The Enchanted Forest
With Autumn now encapsulating Perthshire, nothing is more spectacular at this time of the year than The Enchanted Forest. Running throughout the whole of October, it’s a music and light spectacle set to showcase the stunning Highland Perthshire scenery of Faskally Wood, Pitlochy in all its wonderful glory. Tickets are likely to sell out so make sure you book well in advance. Looking for something different to do on Old Hollow’s Eve? Why not visit the Scottish Crannog Centre for their Spooks + Sacrifice Halloween Event on 31st October. The festival marks the end of harvest and the beginning on the darker night. Expect fire-juggling, sacrificial wicker ram burn, apple-ducking and the odd spooky surprise.


November
Perthshire Amber Festival takes place from 3rd-6th November and is an annual celebration of music, history and culture of Perthshire. Dougie MacLean has developed the unique festival, which welcomes high calibre musical guests from Scotland and abroad, staged in a variety of wonderful venues, from village halls, town halls and a grand concert hall to historic castles and the atmospheric Dunkeld Cathedral. If you head down to Scone Palace from 11th-13th November, you might find yourself an antique gem! The ever-popular Galloway Antiques Fair makes its return to the historic Palace. Join nationally renowned antiques and fine art dealers displaying exceptional furniture, porcelain glass, jewellery and much more.


December
December means just one thing – Christmas! In the run up to Christmas, Perthshire has an abundance of glorious Christmas Markets. From Gleneagles to Glamis, Scone Palace to Blair Castle – there is plenty choice of places to pick up some seasonal delights. If you’re looking for some Family Fun at Christmas, there’s always a laughter-packed pantomime at Horsecross over the festive period.

At Abade, we have accommodation to suit every need and all our properties are perfectly located to enjoy all of the wonderful things to discover in Perthshire in 2016. With accommodation sleeping between 2-8 people…all you have to do is decide who’s coming with you! 


Thursday 18 February 2016

Walking in Highland Perthshire

Our holiday lets in Highland Perthshire are some of our most spectacular. Whether it’s spotting some salmon in Loch Tay, spying some ramblers up Ben Lawers or smelling that fresh Big Tree Country air, the scenery really is something to behold.

Our Ben Lawers at Shoreside, Tarmachan at Shoreside and Ben MacDui at Shoreside properties offer some of the best views in Scotland. The modern homes certainly have the ‘wow’ factors inside too…there are even log burning stoves to fend off the Scottish chill! All properties sleep 4 people and prices start from just £485 for 7 nights.

For those looking for larger lets in the area, options include River View Cottage in Kenmore, sleeping 6, with weekly rental prices starting at £625. Needing something even bigger? Luckily, the larger property The Orphanage, Kenmore sleeps 8 and can even accommodate pets, prices start from £1,300 for a 7-night stay.

Whilst you could sit on the decking and admire the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire, we think it’s well worth putting on some boots (they were made for walking after all!) and seeing what delights some of the local trails take you to.

With a number of nature trails, walks and hill climbs around, there’s something for all level of walkers – from the Sunday afternoon strollers to the serious Munro baggers.

Nature Trail at Ben Lawers
Distance: Around 1 ¼ miles
Time: A leisurely stroll will take around 1 hour
A short nature trail from the car park takes in the mid-level slopes of Ben Lawers and is renowned for its arctic-alpine flora, much of which are rare and endangered species. What nature will you encounter? The area is home to a variety of wildlife including red deer, ravens and black grouse.

Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas
Distance: Around 6 ½ miles
Time: A round (up and down!) trip would take around 6 hours.
For those looking for more of a challenge, Ben Lawers on the north side of Loch Tay is the tenth highest munro in Scotland and the highest in Highland Perthshire at just short of 4,000ft. With a clear path to the summit, once you’ve made it you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Cairngorm Mountains to the north and Glencoe to the west. Beinn Ghlas is crossed en-route and many walkers don’t realise they’ve climbed a second munro.

Don’t forget that it gets cold up in these parts! Throughout the winter months and into early spring the higher ground is covered with snow and reaching the summit requires an ice-axe, crampon and a serious amount of skill and knowledge – so we wouldn’t recommend this route until the snow melts and we’re blessed with the summer months.

Falls of Acharn
Distance: Around 1 ½ miles
Time: 1 hour
Starting in the pretty little village of Acharn, this short walk takes a tour around the little ravine of the Falls of Acharn. The falls are viewed through a Victorian ‘Hermit’s Cave’ and although there is a fair bit of up and down, the clear paths make for a lovely leisurely walk taking in some spectacular views.

Taymouth Castle and Kenmore
Distance: Around 3 ½ miles
Time: Anything from 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours.
A beautifully tranquil walk that takes a lovely route along the River Tay, where you’re sure to see the odd salmon fisherman! With the chance to diver to see Taymouth Castle this easy walk is full of magnificent views of some of Highland Perthshire best scenery.


We hope that’s whet your appetite for the kind of wonders that Highland Perthshire has in-store. Plan your trip now and check out our properties at www.abade.co.uk

Wednesday 6 January 2016

What's to come in 2016...

Here at Abade we think that no two months in beautiful Scotland are the same (no, not even the weather!) so we’ve decided to put together a little ‘Perthshire Guide’ to help you decide what time of year you’d most like to visit.

In this post we’ll cover January through to June, with July to December coming soon.

January
After a busy festive period there’s nothing better than a few days relaxing in the countryside. At this time of year the weather is often chilly but clear, with the delights of the winter sun shining down and giving just enough hours of daylight to explore the frosty surroundings. Whilst not the perfect conditions for golf, there’s plenty excitement to be had up in Dunkeld as the official opening of the salmon season takes place on the 15th of the month.

February
As we enter February, the weather usually lends itself to some great conditions on the slopes of Glenshee. With 2,000 acres and around 40km from 36 different runs there’s something for everyone, from beginners to the more advanced. Whilst we can’t guarantee there will be snow, February and March are the best times for good conditions. Luckily, we offer some great last minute deals so if there’s snow on the way – you can pack up your ski’s and head our way! 

March 

2016 will see Easter weekend fall on the last weekend of the month and with it comes a whole host of fun, family-friendly activities in and around Perthshire. With many of the tourist attractions opening their doors once again for the summer season, now is the perfect time to take a trip and discover all the delights of The Big Tree Country. Something worth mentioning is the Easter weekend activities at Scone Palace – which always promises lots of fun in the wonderful surroundings of the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings!

April
Spring will have officially (well, hopefully!) starting springing in April, making it the perfect time to come to Perthshire and enjoy the vast amounts of walking routes, which guarantee some spectacular views! If you fancy adding a bit of glamour to your stay, Perth Festival Races takes place from 20th-22nd April. With three action packed days of top quality racing to open the 2016 season at Perth and everyone is invited – make sure you bring your hat! 

May
A very busy month in Perthshire, May brings with it Arts, Music and some traditional highland games! Perth Festival of the Arts takes place at Perth Concert Hall from 19th-29th May and has a packed line up of great musicians. Those who enjoy something a little different can take a trip to Mhor Festival on 28th-29th, where you might even get the chance to take part in the Mhor Bake Off! The famous Atholl Gathering see’s Blair Castle’s private army parade through the iconic setting of Blair Castle on 28th-29th. This unrivalled spectacle gives locals and visitors alike the chance to participate in a unique Highland tradition that has persisted for generations. The two day Atholl Gathering weekend consists of The Atholl Highlanders' Parade on Saturday followed by the Highland Games on Sunday – this one is not to be missed!

June
As the temperatures begin to warm up there are plenty of world class golf courses within minutes of our holiday lets – we’ve even got something special up at Gleneagles! If golf isn't your thing then maybe you could take a little picnic and try your hand at some fishing on the River Tay. There’s plenty of exploring to be done before the busier summer season and sometimes there’s even a bit of sun to go with it!


We hope that’s given you some inspiration to begin planning a trip to Perthshire in 2016 and with a huge selection of properties sleeping between 2-8 people the perfect holiday in Perthshire awaits…