The Bridge House Stables

We’re just back from a fantastic weekend away staying at the Bridge House Stables in Perthshire. It’s an old bridge built in 1881 over the River Ardle and now let as two holiday homes. The interior has been tastefully renovated and in keeping with the age of the bridge. Straddling the river means you can hear the water running when you fall asleep at night which is wonderfully relaxing.

The apartment we stayed in has two bedrooms on the upper level and the kitchen/dining area on the ground level with a lovely spiral stone staircase connecting the two:

It was very comfortable and a perfect space for the four of us. The kids loved playing in the river in their gumboots. We didn’t swim but if you don’t mind the cold it looked like a fun and safe place to splash around. The apartment has three TVs, two of them smart TVs as well as good wifi. It is furnished with antiques – which I find much nicer than mass-produced modern furniture.

Just behind the house and up the hill a bit is the Cateran Trail. I didn’t know about this trail before but it sounds wonderful if you fancy a leisurely 5 or 6 day walk through beautiful countryside. It’s a circular route that starts from Blairgowrie and goes through Glen Shee and Glen Isla. That whole area has some stunning scenery so I imagine the walk is magnificent. We walked along a small part of it on Saturday afternoon and it was very good.

On the way home today we took the scenic route through the Cairngorms and over the highest road in the UK which connects Braemar with the Spittal of Glenshee. I never tire of this drive. We stopped at one point so I could get in my jumping shot.

The purple on the hills in the background is heather.