Last weekend I celebrated a dear friend’s 40th birthday in the most beautiful setting. Instead of the city breaks or parties of our 20s and 30s, this was a much more relaxed and re-energising celebration. We stayed at Stalker’s Lodge on the Straloch Estate in Perthshire. Nestled in the southern fringes of the Cairngorms National Park, the estate has 3000 acres to explore. To the north, you’ll find miles of rugged heather-covered hills and mountains, while to the south, the gently rolling pastures and wooded hills of Strathardle Glen beckon. The 3 bedroom architect designed accommodation is framed by a dramatic steep rocky ridge and looks out to a serene loch with its own island. It’s a gorgeous setting for photography or simply enjoying nature. Although we were there on a girl’s trip - l also think it would be a perfect retreat for couples and families.

An Adventure into the Hills

The celebration started with a glass of bubbles out on the deck before we laced up our hiking boots and set off on a 1hr hike up a scenic track that led us to the Straloch Lunch Hut. I trailed behind as l kept stopping to take pictures. The landscape was typically Scottish with the heather already well on its way to the deep, rich amber colour of peak autumn. A buzzard glided in the skies above us and in the distance, we heard the faint echoes of a stag bellowing.

Upon reaching our destination, we were treated to a fully catered feast by talented chef Penny. The spread was nothing short of spectacular: homemade picnic eggs, savoury sausage rolls, creamy potato salad, artisanal bread and cheese, and a warming carrot and cumin soup. The lunch hut was cosy and rustic with sheepskin rugs over wooden benches, fairy lights, candles and fresh posies of flowers dotted about. The attention to detail and finishing touches made everything extra special. We soaked in the panoramic views whilst sipping on a glass of bubbles and tucking into our hearty picnic. Made all the more delicious by the work put in to getting there.

The picnic experience can be booked by anyone but it was lovely to just walk off the hill and back to our accommodation. The owners can also arrange for you to be taken up to or back from the hut by Landrover.

A Magical Dawn

The next morning, I woke early and headed out with my camera. I climbed up the ridge behind the houses and watched the sun rise over the estate. It’s a spectacular spot and one that I’d like to explore further. The distant stags bellowing made it all the more atmospheric.

Details:

Accommodation: Straloch Estates. There are 3 accommodation options on site: Stalkers Lodge which sleeps up to 6. Keeper’s Cottage which sleeps up to 4 and the newly opened River Camping Glamping which sleeps 2.

Picnic: Straloch Lunch Hut.

Activities: Also on site - a tennis court, a walled garden, boating loch and plenty of wild picnic spots and walking trails.