Iolair House

What Claire thinks...

Completed in 2009, Iolair House is built on the site of an old, ruined steading. It has the elegance and style of an old country retreat, but with all the comforts of a modern home.

Above the front door is the inscription 'I to the hills with lift mine eyes' and guest can't fail to do so!

It is a lovely spot for a large family friendly holiday gathering or to share some time away with friends. Approaching the house via the winding country lane, you have a real sense of 'escaping' and the views of the surrounding countryside and hills beyond are beautiful.

The house is very large, with an impressive kitchen and dining room which is sure to become the hub of your holiday, with its double doors to both the front terrace and views and to the rear terrace and heated swimming pool.

There is ample space for the little people to play and explore without ever getting out of sight and with the hot tub, there's a place for you to relax with a glass of something ice cold on a warm Summer evening too!

Entering through a large, imposing doorway, you will find yourself in the large yet welcoming hallway, which doubles as a formal dining room with its impressive, bespoke circular table. To the right of here, double doors, with pretty door plates engraved with Scottish thistles, lead into the large corner sitting room. This is a lovely, cosy room, with an open fireplace (fireguard available), plenty of sofas and armchairs, a games table in the impressive bay window, a bureau and chair and windows to two sides. This is the ideal spot to relax with a dram of the local tipple once the the little people are tucked up in bed.

This room then leads into the enormous family friendly kitchen/dining room. At one end is a space to relax, with large tan leather sofas, a TV, DVD, Playstation, Ipod dock and plenty of books, games and toys. The whole party could gather here to cook, eat and play together.

The centre of the room is occupied by a huge refectory table, which can seat up to 20; at the far end is the kitchen with a central island, 2 dishwashers, range cooker, espresso and ice machines, large American style fridge freezer...the works. Across the rear wall, a lovely glass splashback with a thistle design takes pride of place.

Five sets of double doors lead off this room onto the front terrace and the views across the Strath beyond. Double doors also lead to the rear terrace and pool.

Behind the kitchen is a separate utility/laundry room with recycling facilities and a separate downstairs shower room with loo (perfect for messy little people coming in from the garden!)

Leading off the utility room is a snooker room, which also has a dart board - likely to be a popular spot for boys (and girls!) of all ages after supper!

Two wide staircases lead from the utility room and the main hallway to the first floor (both gated top and bottom).

From the utility room, the stairs lead to a small landing with a bright, corner 4 poster double bedroom, with a 'Jack & Jill' ensuite bathroom; connected to the other side of the ensuite is the 4 bedded bunkbed children's room, complete with wall mounted flatscreen LG TV and oodles of toys and games.

Connected to the other side of the bunkbed room is the lovely master bedroom suite, with an enormous superking size bed, sitting area with wallmounted LG TV and large, luxurious ensuite bathroom, perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine and a book after a day out. This has a free-standing roll top bath, twin sinks and a large walk-in shower. 

Heading out of the master suite onto the main landing, you'll find 3 further double rooms, all ensuite and all with wallmounted LG TVs:

• The first can be a double or a twin and has an ensuite bathroom, with shower over and loo
• The second is a double, with a large sleigh bed and ensuite bathroom, with shower over and loo
• The third (at the far end of the landing, past the other main staircase and the stairs to the top floor) is a slightly smaller double, with an ensuite shower room with loo.

Approaching Iolair House via the winding country lane, you will feel the stresses of everyday life falling away. Set on a hillside, the property has far reaching views of the surrounding countryside and hills beyond, and is a haven of peace and quiet, ideal for an extended family friendly holiday gathering or for friends taking a break together.

The entrance to the grounds immediately surrounding the house is via a cattle grid and gate, into a large gravelled parking area, with space for at least 5 or 6 cars.

To the front of the property there is a terrace running the length of the house, with a croquet lawn below it, down a short, shallow slope that would be perfect for playing 'roly poly'!

On the terrace, in a sheltered spot, is the hot tub, perfect for relaxing with a glass of bubbly and the view, once the little people are tucked up in bed.

To the far side of the property is another garden area with football goals and a play area with a trampoline (with net), swings and a tots slide.

Around to the back of the house is a sheltered courtyard area, with a BBQ and table and chairs for 12 (more can be brought out from inside if required). This is also where you will find the heated and covered swimming pool (heated to 26-30 degrees all year round). There are doors onto this area from the sitting room and kitchen. This is a lovely, private, sheltered space, as behind it there is nothing but the hillside.

Parent points:

• At the back of the house there are two external staircases, one to the main first floor landing, the other leading to the owner's sister's accommodation. As these are fire exits, they can't be gated so parents should beware leaving toddlers alone here.
• The pool has a secure, lockable cover but it is not fenced from the house. When the pool is in use and the cover open, children will need to be supervised in this area.
• At the far side of the parking area (well away from the house) there is a small pylon. Access is required so it cannot be fenced off and children should not be left alone in the area (given that it is next to the parking area, it is unlikely children will be alone here anyway).

• Cots
• Highchairs
• Bed guards
• Potties
• Steriliser
• Baby monitor
• Plastic cutlery, cups and plates
• Plastic steps
• Changing mat
• Stairgates
• Socket guards
• Bath toys
• Cupboard locks
• Nightlights
• Baby carrier
• Baby swimming kit

Auchterarder, the nearest town, has a good selection of shops, a number of good restaurants which welcome children, plus 2 Michelin starred Andrew Fairlie's, a supermarket and pretty churches (worth checking out if you're considering the area for a wedding).

It is known as ‘The Lang Toon' because it is spread all the way along the ridge, making it very long indeed!

The famous Gleneagles hotel and estate is less than 5 mins drive away, where there are many, many activities to try out; golf (of course!), horse riding, falconry, shooting school, quad biking, fishing and claypigeon shooting are all available at Gleneagles or nearby.

Golf is everywhere in Perthshire! With a total of 40 golf courses in the area, you are spoilt for choice. With a Perthshire Green Card, giving you access to 19 of the 18 hole courses for just £99 for 5 rounds or £65 for 3, it's good value too.

At Gleneagles, there is a 'wee course' suitable for children. During the late August Johnnie Walker tournament, this course is used for parking so only 5 holes are available, though this can make it even more ideal for little tots as it is shorter and much cheaper.

In Glasgow (under an hour's drive), there is also the Snodome at Xscape, where there are also a whole range of other indoor activities (www.xscape.co.uk).

Perthshire is home to some of Scotland's most stunning scenery, ranging from the domestic farmlands of Strathtay, to the Highlands behind Crieff and Aberfeldy, to the ancient granite ochils on which Iolair House sits.

For more on what to do in the region, check out www.perthshire.co.uk.

For little knights and princesses, there is no shortage of castles to visit - Blair Castle, reputedly Scotland's finest, is a day out in itself; Castle Menzies at Aberfeldy, the magnificent Scone Palace on the outskirts of Perth, and home to Perth Races, are also must see spots.

Stirling Castle, home to the Kings of Scotland, is just 20 minutes away and Edinburgh is just an hour away. Both can be reached by train from Iolair House. Another fabulous day out is Loch Leven where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her sister Elizabeth in the now ruined castle in the middle of the loch, only accessible by boat (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk).

If Whisky is your tipple of choice, try a visit to Scotland 's smallest distillery (Edradour in Pitlochry), just an hour away; its oldest (Glenturret at Crieff, now featuring The Famous Grouse Experience) is only 20 minutes away. Also notable are Blair Athol, the Dewars World of Whisky Centre and distillery in Aberfeldy, and Dalwhinnie a little further north. All featuring excellent visitor centres and plenty of free samples!

Finally, for a bit of retail therapy, art and culture, both Glasgow and Edinburgh or an easy drive away.

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Please note that prices shown are for week long holidays but mid week and weekend stays are also available - please enquire for details of prices.