Travel: 48 hours in Crieff

Published on 09/04/2012 00:00

A weekend away in the beautiful Perthshire town.

Saturday, 10am Pop into the tourism information centre on the high street for an overview of the area.

Noon Have a light lunch at Knock Castle Hotel and Spa, a Scots baronial architectural gem, and book in.

3pm Take a short stroll to the Glenturret distillery, and the Famous Grouse Experience. A mix of Edrington marketing puff and a fun interactive film experience, the centre has a cafe and shop where you can treat yourself to a personally labelled bottle of Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com/visit-us/visitor-centre, tours from £7.50).

7pm Enjoy aperitifs in the lounge at Knock Castle. For dinner, indulge in the tasting menu at the hotel’s Oak restaurant designed by head chef Jason Henderson. Roll upstairs to your suite for a good night’s sleep.

Sunday, 9am Return to the Oak Restaurant for a full Scottish breakfast, then have a treatment at the spa. There is a wide range of options, from mud massage therapy to more traditional beauty fixes. Alternatively, the large heated swimming pool is set in a vast conservatory with spectacular views.

2pm Stop at the Crieff Visitor Centre, which is a mixed bag, set on a drab industrial estate with a depressing tat shop and cafe. But the Caithness Glass gallery and shop there is well worth a visit.

4pm Drive about ten miles away to visit Huntingtower Castle, an unusual 15th-century double tower house with an interesting history. (Admission, adult £4.50, child £2.70, concession £3.60).

7pm Stop at the Curly Coo pub on the High Street for a wee refreshment before returning for dinner at the hotel.

8am Indulge in a cooked breakfast, and check out.

Erikka Askeland

• THE FACTS

Knock Castle Hotel and Spa (Drummond Terrace, Crieff; 01764 650088, see www.knockcastle.com), dinner, bed and breakfast in the Lady MacBrayne master suite is £189.50. A bed and breakfast in the Lomond Room starts at £72.50. See website for special offers.