Large Group Houses in Perthshire

Large Group Accommodation in Perthshire

Perthshire is the heart of Scotland, an hour and a half from Edinburgh and Glasgow and a world away from either. Perth on the Tay, Scone Palace where the kings of Scots were crowned, and north of them Highland Perthshire: Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, the big lochs and the first hills of the Cairngorms. The largest group house listed here is at Blairgowrie, in the berry fields of Strathmore, sleeping 35 in 16 en-suite bedrooms, with Glenshee and the Cairngorms National Park half an hour north and Perth and the A9 half an hour south.

Why Perthshire Works for Group Stays

It is reachable, which Highland Scotland often is not: the A9 and the railway run straight through it, the sleeper from London stops at Perth, Dunkeld and Pitlochry, and Edinburgh Airport is an hour from Perth. Once there, the county has everything a big group needs within an hour: castles and palaces, distilleries, white water on the Tay, skiing at Glenshee, walking at every level from the Hermitage to the Munros, and towns with proper restaurants and pubs. A large group house in Perthshire is the Highland house party without the six-hour drive.

Things to Do in Perthshire with a Large Group

Scone Palace and Blair Castle for the history. The Hermitage at Dunkeld for an hour's walk through the Douglas firs to the falls. White-water rafting on the Tay from Aberfeldy, in rafts of eight, the best group activity in the county. Distillery tours at Blair Athol in Pitlochry, Edradour, Dewar's at Aberfeldy and Glenturret at Crieff. Skiing at Glenshee in winter, 40 minutes from Blairgowrie; the same road leads to Braemar and Balmoral in summer. Golf at Blairgowrie's Rosemount course or at Gleneagles. In October, the Enchanted Forest light show at Pitlochry. Back at the house, a private chef with Perthshire venison, Tay salmon and Blairgowrie raspberries.

Eating and Drinking

The Taybank in Dunkeld is the music pub of the Highlands, with sessions most nights and a terrace on the river; the Atholl Arms next door does dinner. Pitlochry has its Festival Theatre and hotel restaurants; Perth has the city's bars and restaurants along George Street and the river. Blairgowrie's hotels and pubs on the Wellmeadow are a walk from the house.

Ideal Occasions

Perthshire suits big family gatherings and reunions that need 30 beds and one dining table, Hogmanay and Christmas in a Highland house, ski weekends at Glenshee, golf parties, and hen and stag groups who want the outdoors by day and Edinburgh within reach for one night.

Nearby Destinations

Edinburgh is an hour and a half by road or train. St Andrews is an hour east, Loch Lomond an hour and a half west, and the wider Scotland page covers the rest.