Kirkmichael House, Perthshire Self Catering Sleeps 11

Set in an acre of ground, Kirkmichael House has views over the village of Kirkmichael, the Glen of Strathardle and the salmon River Ardle in Highland Perthshire, and lies on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Originally the site of a Druid temple, there is believed to have been a dwelling here for 1200 years and a spring, which is believed to have healing properties, runs under the house and emerges on the road below. The current house was built in 1380 and partially rebuilt to its current shape in 1760. For hundreds of years it has been the manse to Kirkmichael Church and was in the ownership of the Church of Scotland through to the 1970s, after which it has been in private ownership and has been sympathetically renovated. Although a particularly tranquil village, Kirkmichael has witnessed some turbulent events in Scotland’s history from Roman skirmishes with the Celts in the first century AD to Oliver Cromwell’s reputed stay in the house in 1653 from where he fought a skirmish in the church grounds. It was here too that clans sympathetic to the Jacobite cause mustered in 1715 before marching south. For centuries Kirkmichael was a drovers’ (cattle traders) staging post and in more recent history, Kirkmichael was a stopover for parties travelling from Pitlochry to Braemar along what is now the Cateran Trail, including Queen Victoria who stopped here on her way to Balmoral in 1865.

From the house there are many paths for walking, three local pubs serving food and a well-stocked local community shop. This is an ideal location for both summer and winter activities with Glenshee, Scotland’s largest ski resort, just 10 miles away, Perthshire’s long distance walking trail, The Cateran Trail, passing through the village, hill walking on the stunning Cairngorm mountains, mountain biking, bungee jumping at Killiecrankie and white water rafting on the River Tay. Other local attractions include The Strathardle Gathering every August (Highland Games), The Etape Caledonia Cycling Event in May, The Perthshire Open Studios and The Blairgowrie Book Festival in October, and various other local events. Enjoy fishing, stalking on the local estates, horse riding, golf at Rosemount, Blairgowrie one of Scotland’s top golf courses or the beautiful hill course of Pitlochry or visit some of the many distilleries and historic houses and castles close by. The tourist towns of Blairgowrie and Pitlochry are only 12 miles away and the larger cities of Perth and Dundee are less than an hour’s drive. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness can all be reached within 1½ to 2 hours. After exploring the area and all it has to offer, enjoy a game of table tennis in the games room, relax in front of a roaring fire with a book in the sitting room, or take tea in the conservatory and enjoy the view. Shop 200 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Step to porch leading to entrance hall. Spacious drawing room with wood-burning stove. One step down to sitting-room with open fire and TV. Spacious dining room. One step up to large farmhouse-style kitchen with Aga and ceramic hob, breakfast area and tiled floor. Laundry room/utility. Conservatory. Two steps up to games room with patio doors to garden. Cloakroom with toilet. Half landing: Double bedroom with 5ft bed and en-suite bathroom with toilet, both with sloping ceiling. First floor: Double bedroom with 6ft sleigh bed, large dressing room and countryside views. Twin bedroom. Single bedroom. Bathroom with separate shower cubicle and toilet. Narrow, spiral stairs to second floor: Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. Attic. Sloping ceilings throughout.

• Wood-burning stove - initial fuel included, thereafter £5 per basket (honesty box)
• Electricity, full Biomass central heating (underfloor in games room), bed linen and towels included
• Travel cot and high chair on request
• 40" Freeview TV
• DVD
• CD
• iPod dock
• Library of books and board games
• Oil fired Aga included
• Combi microwave/oven/ grill
• Washing machine
• Dishwasher
• American-style fridge/freezer
• Additional fridge
• Wi-fi
• Large garden with patio and furniture
• Barbecue
• Ample parking
• Cycle store
• Games room with table tennis
• Board games
• Book library
• Pets free of charge
• No smoking
• NB: Several sets of steps, sloping banks, drops in garden.