Dunkeld Country Estate

Dunkeld Estate sits in a truly exquisite natural setting. The trails wind alongside serene trout dams and through forest, offering the kind of peaceful, scenic backdrop that should make it a standout destination. On paper, it looks like an ideal training ground—exactly the sort of place they market to international athletes. Unfortunately, the reality falls short. The trails themselves are poorly marked, making navigation frustrating and reducing the experience. Worse, the paths and surrounding areas are littered with plastic, cans, and I even came across a piece of a toilet seat. For a property that promotes itself as a high-caliber outdoor training venue, this level of neglect is striking. A place that invites serious athletes and nature-focused visitors has a responsibility to protect and maintain its natural resources. Clear trail marking and basic litter control are not optional extras—they are fundamental. Without them, Dunkeld risks undermining the very appeal it advertises and, over time, losing the business of the athletes and outdoor enthusiasts it seeks to attract. The setting has real potential. The current upkeep does not match it.

We booked a one-night stay at this accommodation, and while the scenery is absolutely picturesque, unfortunately our experience was extremely disappointing. The accommodation itself was in a very poor condition. The bed linen was dirty, there were light fittings hanging out of their sockets in both the bathroom and bedroom, the ceiling manhole cover was missing, and the kitchen ceiling was covered in grease. The television was poorly mounted on the wall, with cables strewn across the TV cabinet, giving the unit an untidy and neglected appearance. The service was equally disappointing. The reception staff were some of the most unfriendly people we've encountered and made us feel as though we were inconveniencing them simply by checking in and asking questions. We had also booked a couples horse ride, which turned out to be the biggest disappointment of our stay. When we arrived at reception, we were asked whether we had riding experience. We explained that we did not, after which the receptionist phoned the stables and had a conversation without explaining anything to us or what to expect. When we arrived at the stables, there was no welcome or check-in process. We wandered around trying to figure out where to go before eventually finding someone who pointed us towards the horse handlers. We were handed helmets, told to get onto the horses, and then spent the next 30 minutes being led around by a handler. The entire experience lacked communication from start to finish. Nothing was explained, no expectations were set, and no options were discussed. I have ridden horses before and had expected a guided trail ride where we would ride independently with a guide accompanying us. Instead, we were simply led around for half an hour, which felt more like an activity for very young children than the experience we believed we had booked. Considering the price, it was incredibly disappointing and poor value for money. The setting is beautiful and has so much potential, but the lack of cleanliness, poor maintenance, unfriendly service, and disappointing horse-riding experience meant that we left feeling frustrated rather than relaxed.

Home away from home, good for families and couples. Very quite and relaxing estate.