If you love to take your dog on holiday with you, then it can be both difficult and time consuming to find that perfect place. Having just recently moved back into the area I’ve been keen to get out and explore what there is to offer across Scotland and quickly booked my first dog-friendly holiday.  The location – Loch Monzievaird.

After a busy few weeks and the chaos of Christmas festivities, I packed up the car and got ready to head off over to Loch Monzievaird just outside of Crieff in Perthshire.  At just over an hour away from home, it was far enough away to feel like a break but close enough to not need a day to recover from the travel.

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• Dog Friendly Holiday in the Scottish Borders: Holiday Cottages Melrose (Reviewed)
• Dog Friendly Accommodation in the Scottish Borders: Beech Cottage; Sykes Cottages (Reviewed)

One additional bag filled with Hogmanay cheer and a second packed full of lots of dog food and treats) and I’m prepared!  We are officially off and ready to test the lodges on our first dog-friendly holiday in Perthshire.

 

Dog-Friendly Holiday at Loch Monzievaird

 

Pre-Arrival

Having checked Airbnb and queried some other lodges, I stumbled across the website for Loch Monzievaird. They aren’t listed on Airbnb or booking.com but do keep their Facebook page and website up to date with availability and offers.

There is a great site map online so you can see the layout of the lodges on offer and you can also look at each individual design too.   Fab for helping decide which to book!

I wasn’t quite sure about the different prices so gave them a quick call.  They were more than helpful and loved the cheerful style of the person I spoke to.  A few minutes later, I was given some advice, booked in and an email had landed in my inbox.

This included the booking confirmation itself but also guidance for dog owners while on site.

They even mentioned that I could book in earlier as the lodge would be cleaned previously. This was a huge bonus as we could arrive a little earlier and get out for a walk with Millie before it got too dark.

Oh, and I could pre-order a delivery too.  Several large supermarkets deliver directly to the lodge. I booked this a few days ahead and meant that the first day was pain-free and could maximise the time at the lodge.

The website is full of helpful information including terms and conditions through to local walks, making planning for the week so much easier.

 

The Lodge

As you drive into the resort, you’ll find a reception lodge on the left-hand side where you can collect keys.  Again, the welcome was warm and helpful.

With several lodges available for up to 8 people, I’d opted for a Pine Lodge.  Why? Well there were two smaller lodges available but this one on looked a tiny little bit closer to the Loch and it had a sauna.    However, having now been on the site itself, I wouldn’t worry about how close it is to the Loch. They all have fantastic views and plenty of space for parking either right at the lodge or a few steps themselves.

I’m not sure if it was luck but my lodge, number 22, was named Jane. Jane was my gran’s name and is my own middle name.  I was clearly in for a good week!

I was a little concerned however when I spotted that the lodge backed onto the main road.  As someone who lives out in the country with a field as a back garden, while the area, was secure for Millie, I was a little worried about noise. I needn’t have been as I really didn’t notice it too much during my time in the lodge. I would however perhaps forgo the sauna for one of the other lodges on the opposite side of the loch with decking areas integrated into the lodge.

I also loved that all 24 lodges were spaced out so well. It didn’t feel like you were peering out the windows and directly into your neighbours.

Along with the sauna, which was welcomed after long walks outdoors, there were two good sized bedrooms with plenty of storage.   The living room, kitchen and dining were all open plan making best use of a small space.

I must admit that when I first walked in, it felt small.  However, there really was no need to be concerned.  With a separate entrance for boots, coats, wellies and tennis balls for Millie, the owners have really thought through the layout and contents.  It was comfortable, warm and we soon settled in.

The lodge was also filled to the brim with everything you’d need for a self-catering holiday.   Lots of pans, cooking utensils, bottle openers, mugs, cups, wine glasses, port glasses and that all import coffee cafeteire! Perfect if you plan to do a lot of cooking in the lodge itself.

You’ll also find the lodge stocked with some dishwasher tablets, tea towels, cleaning cloth and materials.   There was also toilet roll and some welcome sachets of tea, coffee, sugar etc. to tide you over until you’ve had a chance to go shopping or have it delivered.

Oh, and how could I forget the little dog leaflet with guidance with a poo bag and treat for Millie too!

While I didn’t make use of them, given the winter visit, there are also BBQ facilities and outdoor seating with every lodge. Perfect for slightly warmer visits.

You are asked to put the bins into those provided outdoors and at the end of the week, you are asked to hoover and strip the beds, placing the linen into a washing bag.  I personally had no issue with doing so, particularly given the standard and cleanliness of the lodge upon arrival.

 

 

Key Info:

• 1 double bedroom and 1 twin bedroom
• TV with built-in DVD player (note this is a small TV)
• Full bathroom suite with shower and bath
• Sauna (not in all lodges)
• Dining table and seats for four people
• Available to book all year round
• Outdoor BBQ and seating. Note that some Lodges have a decking area.
• Wifi available (note that this isn’t a great signal and thus don’t expect to watch films etc. via wifi – ok for light use at certain times).
• Available to book either weekend, midweek or per week
• Hairdryer
• Complimentary welcome tea/coffee/sugar
• Cooker with a main oven and separate grill/small oven
• Fridge Freezer – 50/50 size
• Loch and River Fishing
• Campfire area by loch – wood available
• Disc Golf Course
• Laundrette
• Tennis Court
• Electricity, Linen and Towels included

and most important – Dog-Friendly (though four lodges are pet-free).

 

Loch Monzievaird

Loch Monzievaird is a beautiful Highland estate set in a historic designed landscape. The grounds are protected by Historic Scotland and extend to 40 acres.

As if you hadn’t guessed but the most amazing part of the holiday was Loch Monzievaird itself.  You really can’t beat the views of the Loch from every window of the lodge.  There was something so therapeutic about watching the Loch change over the course of a day.

It really is such a stunning walk on your doorstep and access is restricted to those staying on the site.

You’ll find a gentle circular walk around the Loch with lots of open space on the south side and the north side flanked by more woodland and shrubbery.  While it would take only 30 minutes or so to walk around at a gentle pace, I found the first few walks were around an hour.  One too many places to take photographs!  No matter how often we took a walk around, there was always something new to spot.

With the weather still mild, Millie often treated herself to a little swim and with the additional open space, we had lots of opportunities to play her favourite game fetch. It was helpful to have this right at the door as it helped vary her walks throughout the week.

There is a lovely pontoon/walkway at the entrance to the loch.   I couldn’t help but take a time-lapse one evening and you’ll find this featured at the end of a vlog I did of one of my days over on my personal YouTube channel:

Note that one section of the circular walk was a little muddy due to the time of year so do, take those wellington boots.  You will also need to use a stile to pass over a gate if you wish to do the full circular walk.

 

 

 

The Local Area

If you are coming from further afield, you’ll find Edinburgh and Glasgow all within an hour’s drive. Just two miles from Crieff, it’s a fab location to use as a base.

You can head up to Highland Perthshire or there is lots to do along the east or west coast too.  However, the most notable attraction is just a few minutes’ drive away – The Famous Grouse Experience.  During peak times, you may wish to pre-book before you arrive and remember to bring your doggy crate.

Crieff is just a few minutes away with bars, restaurants and a fab butchers too.

But if you are a dog owner, then you’ll want to know about dog walks!  From the walk around the loch to access to a path network opposite the site entrance, you aren’t short of options both close to the lodges and further afield.

There are several options if you are looking for longer 2-3 hour walks and it takes just a few minutes until you feel like you are up in the hills with amazing views.

My firm favourite over the week was The Knock, a 5-minute drive from Loch Monzievaird and situated just behind the Crieff Hydro Hotel.

A great circular 90-minute walk with lots of different terrains for Millie and her need to sniff!! Oh, and of course those great views.

Related Content:

• Dog Walks in Perthshire: The Knock of Crieff

 

 

Who’s Going to Love It

Couples, families, and groups of friends will love the ability to make the most of the area.  However, solo travelers will enjoy the seclusion and time-out too.

While the location and lodge itself are dog-friendly, you will need to take your own dog bowl and bedding.

Whilst I visited during Dec/Jan and wasn’t disappointed with the location for a winter break, I can imagine spring and summer are spectacular here.  The space and ability to make use of the water activities available would be great fun!

 

Pricing

You’ll find weekend breaks in the smaller lodges start from around £300, with a week during summer in a larger lodge for 8 people average around £900.    Do check the website for details and be very quick for summer bookings as many of the lodges are already fully booked.

You may also want to check out their offers page for that last minute getaway – http://secure.supercontrol.co.uk/availability/special_offers.asp?ownerID=2075&siteID=12013

It is worth mentioning that there was an additional charge for Millie – £5 per night.

 

 

Millie’s Top Tip

Make sure your human packs a throw for the sofa and get on their quick!  While I should have been sleeping after those long walks, I preferred keeping an eye out for those pesky ducks!

 

 

Links and Booking

You can find availability on the Loch Monzievaird website HERE or call 01764 652586.
You can also have a snoop around on various social media sites or check out reviews on Trip Advisor:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lochmonzievaird/

Instagram – No dedicated account but you can find other posts here:  https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/259523351/loch-monzievaird-self-catering-lodges/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/lochmonzievaird

Trip Advisor – https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551797-d648736-Reviews-Loch_Monzievaird_Self_Catering_Lodges-Crieff_Perth_and_Kinross_Scotland.html

 

If you love going on adventures with your dog, you may also want to check out our other reviews of holiday accommodation.  We are constantly adding, so do keep an eye out or join our mailing list below to make sure you don’t miss out.

• Dog Friendly Holiday in the Scottish Borders: Holiday Cottages Melrose (Reviewed)
• Dog Friendly Accommodation in the Scottish Borders: Beech Cottage; Sykes Cottages (Reviewed)
• Lusty Glaze, Cornwall
• Cary Arms, Devon