It’s the silence and the crystal clear air which hits home first as the picture perfect scenery unfolds.
As the senses adjust, the sounds of the burn running, sheep munching and birds singing is simply wonderful. Welcome to the magical Monzie Estate, tucked away in the heart of the Perthshire countryside and a haven for holiday makers.
Just a short drive from the traditional market town of Crieff, this Scottish stunner is worth a visit. Run by David and Alexandra Crichton, the 4,000 acre estate has a castle at the heart of it and beautiful traditional stone built homes which have been lovingly converted into holiday accommodation.
The couple left their lives in London to return to David’s home after his father died in 2014 and they have put their heart and soul into creating that extra special stay.
Utilising Alexandra’s eye for interior design and David’s expertise with joinery, the tumbled down former tenant worker homes have been transformed into luxury lets.
And to make the stay, even more impressive, guests are encouraged to join Alexandra on a tour of the estate and a peek inside the Georgian castle, which sits in the secluded Monzie valley.
Pronounced without the “z”, the Gaelic word means “fields of corn” and there is evidence of early settlements, with a standing stone and circle, a packhorse bridge and several Iron Age fortifications.
The estate played its part in medieval times as a meeting place for farmers and crofters who would gather for the St Lawrence Fair in August and sell their cattle, as well as buy supplies for the year ahead.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Monzie became a weaving village, with a population of 200 and had a school, which still stands and is on Alexandra’s “to do up” list.
In 1939, 3,500 scouts from 45 countries descended on Monzie for the Rover Scout Moot, which is still popular today.
The castle dates back to 1634 and the main part was built in 1795 by Robert Paterson, clerk to the well-known architect Robert Adam. A fire in 1908, saw a large part destroyed and leaving only the outer walls. Leading Scottish architect, Sir Robert Lorimer was given the task of restoration and used Edinburgh craftsmen to ensure a true national gem.
Today, David and Alexandra have their hands full, as they are also restoring the nearby Largo Estate, with walled gardens for flowers and vegetables being lovingly created by the couple and their horticultural manager, Bas Van Kempen.
Both Monzie and Largo are ongoing projects as the Crichton’s work towards making the estate sustainable. All the holiday accommodation is powered by their own 1950’s hydroelectric plant and each has its own individual stamp thanks to Alexandra’s expert decoration and Davd’s joinery through his business which is renowned for bespoke craftsmanship.
The Millhouse has five bedrooms, ranging from twin to super king and is perched elegantly by a burn with an ancient pack horse bridge and fields packed with friendly sheep.
A stone’s throw away is Burnside Cottage, a romantic chocolate box cottage for two, with contemporary colours, a roaring wood burning stove and clear water, courtesy of the nearby fresh spring, which is also on tap at Keppoch Cottage, ideal for families and the more modern option, which sleeps five. With a garage to store bikes and hiking gear, it’s a great base.
Gardener’s Cottage dates back to 1874 and is a special hideaway and the impressive 19th century East Gatehouse with its two turrets, provides a step back in time for four people. A hot tub awaits couples at Brae Cottage, on a secluded hill, with panoramic views of the rugged landscape.
The real beauty of all the accommodation though, is its setting. As it’s a working estate, farm manager Wilson Peters and his team work around the clock to keep everything in tip top condition, caring for the animals and providing access to lovely local walks in the most breathtaking scenery, this alone is a reason to visit this very special part of the world.
The Details
Monzie Estate, Crieff, PH7 4HE, Perthshire, Scotland.
Tel: + 44 (0)1764 650095 or +44 (0)7815 737130
Website: www.monzieestate.com
Email: holiday@monzieestate.com
The nearest town is Crieff, where you can catch trains from Central Scotland, such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. Monzie is located two miles from Crieff, where there is also a local bus service, but it’s quite rural, so a taxi would be a better option. If you’re driving, each accommodation has its own parking.
Type of Hotel: Luxury Self-Catering.
Price Band: Medium to high, with prices starting from £175 per night off peak and from £200 during peak times, with a minimum two night stay.
Insider Tip: Take advantage of the invitation by the Crichton’s to look round the castle and estate and see how it all works, it’s fascinating! Castle tours are also open to non-residents, but have to be booked in advanced via admin@monzieestate.com
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Monzie Estate
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