A DAY OUT: PERTHSHIRE
Guardswell Farm
9am: Stretch, check the wood burner + chuck another log in, pop the kettle on top. Coffee on the deck just watching the world go by. Hop in the car and head north. Take the road to Abernyte, then over the hill to Meiklour, then Dunkeld.
10am- Run by the lovely Flora Shedden- the perfect coffee stop. Rays of light coming in through the windows against white walls, the most delicious pastries, coffee, great magazines! Make sure to buy some of their sourdough, or focaccia, plus maybe some jams too, for later on. Then nip across the road to Lòn, Arans grocery sister, and pick up every provision under the sun for when you get back to Guardswell.
A little extra time in Dunkeld- take a stroll along the river, or if its particularly lovely weather- grab a take away from Aran and sit by the river. The Cathedral is also very impressive. You should also check out Nova Botanics, and pick up a candle of two.
11am: Hop back into the car and head northwards, pulling off the A9 at Ballinluig and heading for Aberfeldy + Loch Tay. Perhaps try and fit in some walking? How about a walk up the Birks of Aberfeldy, the river and falls flowing down between the trees.
12noon: Head along the road to Kenmore- and aim for HotBox at the Taymouth Marina! A sauna overlooking Loch Tay... may sure to use the loch as a plunge pool after sweating it out! (wee tip: If you've been to the top of a munro that day and show them a picture, you might get a discount!!)
1pm: Head back into Aberfeldy for a little walk around the town. Make sure to visit Homer for some of the most beautiful homewares and bits for the garden. Then head into the Watermill to browse their book collection, and perhaps check out the gallery. Nip your head into Haggarts to pick up some ace tweed or some letterpress prints.
2pm: Make your way back to Dunkeld- but it is almost essential that you stop at the Little Trochry Farmstand. Gather up some goodies (they usually have different veg from us- so you can have a mix of both Guardswell and Trochry goodies). Little Trochry is run by Kirstin (Guardswell Annas sister) and Iain. Kirstin also started Guardswell Grows.
2.45pm: Head for a late lunch at The Taybank. Enjoy their garden in the summer with a pizza and a beer, whilst the River Tay passes by. Or- why not head inside for a cosy bite to eat in their restaurant or bar- you might also be lucky, and hear a bit of their famous live trad music.
3pm: Hop back into the car and head for home...get the fire-pit on when you get back to Guardswell- and go and see what you can find on the Farm Stand for dinner (veggies and eggs- perhaps swing into a butcher on your way home). Aberfeldy Farmers Market (1st Sunday), or Logierait Farmers Market (3rd Sunday) may be on- so check them out!!
Sit back and enjoy the view