Holidaying in Scotland [Moness, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry]

The Milkman got some unexpected time off the other week, and with the last grains of sand trickling from my maternity leave hourglass we decided to make the most of it.  By coincidence we had been looking at things on Groupon over the weekend, so opted to book somewhere we'd seen through that.  We actually booked direct though - we've been left feeling cheated by a Groupon offer in the past.

The place in question was the Moness Resort in Aberfeldy, near Perth.  We were simply looking for somewhere to escape to, and this seemed fairly ideal as it had a leisure pool, on-site dining options and a room with a kitchenette which is vital when travelling with a baby!  Plus it was in an area where we haven't been before, in walking distance of the town.  Boxes ticked, job done!

The route the satnav took us was different to what we expected (though *touch wood* it's only lead us wrong once in all the years we've had it!), but it meant that we drove through places I had never seen before.  I definately want to head up that way again, especially to see more of Loch Tay and the Falls of Dochart.
 

Falls of Dochart :: Undiscovered Scotland

Loch Tay :: Dave Morris

The eating on this trip was pretty good.  Our booking included breakfast, which I actually think is my favourite meal to eat away from the home.  At home I am pretty samey with breakfast - 30g of porrige made with water and 2tsp of honey - so a cooked and continental buffet sees me acting like Homer Simpson skipping through the land of chocolate.  And the other eats didn't disappoint either.  In fact, we only ate once outside of the resort after we arrived - a really lovely piece of cake in the Watermill during our wander around Aberfeldy.  I also spotted a sculpture of a stag on our walk, which I really loved.  It incorporated words and symbols which represented the area.  There was a spotlight above it which I first thought was a CCTV camera, so it made the whole thing seem like a Banksy piece with the way the deer is caught in its glare.

Is that a Banksy, dear?

We didn't make as much use of the facilities as we'd thought we would, simply due to badly timed baby naps!  But we did try out the pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna. We had the place to ourselves, so I even got photos of Mini Milk in the pool.  Given how understandably strict photography rules are in swimming pools now, that was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Well, unless we get a villa for a holiday one day...after we win the lottery.

One thing I didn't enjoy about our stay was the room.  Although it was spacious and well kitted out, it had three major flaws.  Firstly, it was an adjoining room so there was just a door seperating us from our neighbours.  I really don't want to be those people with the screaming wean, but unfortunately with a young baby you often become those people by default.  The guilt I felt about Mini Milk disrupting other people put me on edge during the stay - I'd have much preferred a more isolated room, or at least that the adjoining room was kept empty so the inevitable noise that comes with a small person didn't impact on other guests.  Secondly, the room must have been underneath a staircase or hallway.  A staircase or hallway used by elephants.  Urgh.  And lastly, there was no wifi.  That was only available in the public areas, which is pretty crappy given that access is more a necessity than a luxury these days.    

My trip souvenirs

We made a trip to Pitlochry on our way home.  It was a nice place for a wander but it was sad to see that it has been a casualty of the economic crumple, what with all the empty shop units leaving gaping holes in its main street.   We stopped in at the Heathergems factory, where they make "gems" from dyeing and compressing heather.  I really like the result, the colours and patterns that come from the process.  I stopped myself splashing out on any jewellery or gifts (for now...), but I couldn't help buying an interesting off-cut block of the compressed heather.  It is my trip souvenir, alongside a very cool copy of Pride and Prejudice I found in a second hand shop in Aberfeldy.

I'm so glad we got the chance to go away before I head back to the world of work, although I'm sad we didn't get to bring the older kids due to the timing of the trip.  But staying away from home with a baby isn't exactly the relaxing experience you want from a break, so I think we'll hold off on the more adventurous plans (camping, going abroad) until Mini Milk is a little older!