FAQ's

Availability & Booking

About Your Cottage

Is there off-road parking adjacent to each cottage?

Yes, there is off-road parking adjacent to each cottage.

Are the gardens enclosed?

Not all the gardens are enclosed. Rose Cottage, Old Post Office, West Drumchastle, Balmore, Maragdubh, Old Laundry, Tuim are enclosed or have an enclosed area. Bridge Cottage and East lodge are not but have mown grass.

When can we arrive at the cottage at the beginning of our holiday?

Arrival time is from 4 o'clock onwards unless special arrangements have been made with us. If you are going to arrive after 7 pm, please let us know.

Can we order groceries for our arrival?

Groceries can be ordered for your arrival from the village shop, The Country Store. We need to be informed as we would need to collect the order. It is a useful general store with most basic things you will need. Tel: 01882 632306  Email: shop@rannochcountrystore.com

Tesco, Morrison and Asda also deliver to your cottage.  You need to be there to receive the order. 

Do we need Cancellation Insurance?

Yes, we strongly advise that you do even if you are a UK resident.  Please read our Terms and Conditions.

What equipment is included in the cottages?

Equipment includes electric cooker, fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, toaster, electric kettle, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, iron and board, tea towels, bath mats, WiFi (except Bridge Cottage), colour TV with Sky Freesat (except Bridge Cottage which has DVD player only - and no WiFi),DVD players, CD players, pillows, duvets, extra blankets. There is garden furniture except in winter.

See What we provide and what to bring

Do I need a car?

Unless you are a prepared to get a taxi to and from your cottage from the nearest public transport, and are only planning walking trips from the cottage, it would be advisable to have a car. They can be hired in advance in Pitlochry (see Directions to Dunalastair Estate). The cottages are from 30 to 45 minutes from Pitlochry by car, depending on the cottage location.

You can, however, hire a bike from the Loch Rannoch Hotel

What basic supplies are provided?

We provide basic cleaning supplies such as All Purpose cleaner and toilet cleaner, J- cloths, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets or powder, 1 kitchen roll, 2 rolls of toilet paper per toilet, liquid soap for hand-basins and baths and some black rubbish bags.  See What we Provide and What to Bring for more details.

Please bring washing machine powder and other supplies. A welcome tray is ready for your arrival with tea and coffee, sugar, milk and biscuits. There is grindy salt and pepper too.

Are electricity and oil included in the rent?

Yes.

Are Bed Linen and Towels included in the rent?

Bed Linen and towels are included and the beds are made up for arrival. If staying for two weeks or more, a change of linen/towels is provided.

Do you allow short breaks?

Yes, at certain times of year.  See Availability.  Usually 3 nights minimum, except East Lodge which is 4 nights minimum.  We try to be flexible, so contact us if you require particular dates.

Is there wifi internet access in the cottages?

There is WiFi internet access in Balmore, Maragdubh, Old Post Office, Old Laundry, Tuim Cottage, East Lodge, West Drumchastle and in Rose Cottage.  However, do not expect it to be very fast and it can occasionally be intermittent as this is a remote area, but it is generally fine for collecting emails, looking at tourism websites etc.  Bridge Cottage has no WiFi or television reception but it has a DVD player and TV monitor.

Can I bring my pets?

Dogs are welcome (maximum 2 dogs) for which there is a charge of £16 per dog/pet per week.  From 1st January 2022 the charge will be £18 per dog/pet per week.  Dogs must be kept under control as this is a working sheep and cattle farm. Please bring your pet basket as under no circumstances may pets lie on bedding or seating. Any damage or extra cleaning caused by pets will be charged for.

We ask that, before you arrive, you make sure your pet has been wormed and has it's injections up to date to protect other dogs and livestock and that it has been well groomed to protect furnishings.

Pets must not be left in accommodation unattended or allowed into bedrooms. Guests must clear up after their dogs in the garden areas with the shovel provided. There are certain designated areas where dogs can run off the lead but they must be under control so that they will not worry livestock. Certain cottages are more suitable for dogs than others.  Please ask. Only house cats are allowed, and they must be kept in the cottages and litter trays and scratching posts brought with you.  (Cats can pass a disease to sheep which causes serious problems.)  Any other pets by arrangement.

For Pets coming from the EU: 

Pet travel documents

Your pet must have one of the following documents when entering or returning to GB:

  • an EU pet passport issued in the EU (or in GB if issued before 1 January 2021), or a pet passport from another Part 1 listed third country
  • the animal health certificate (AHC) issued in GB used to travel to the EU – which you can use to re-enter GB for up to 4 months after it was issued
  • GB pet health certificate (for travel into GB only)

Your pet will not need this documentation if it’s entering GB from:

  • NI
  • the Channel Islands
  • the Isle of Man

It would be best to check with your Travel Agent for the most up to date details some time before travelling.

Please read the following information from the government here

Are logs provided and kindling?

From January 2021, logs are included in the rent.  The log fire is made up ready for your arrival.

Kindling  - Kindling sticks are available in the local shop, The Country Store where you can also buy firelighters.  We can no longer supply kindling.

Can we get mobile reception at Dunalastair?

Vodafone, O2 and EE have masts in the glen and a signal from
Vodafone and O2 can usually be received in or near the cottages.  O2 is now available in many places between Tummel Bridge and Kinloch Rannoch but not all.  Where it doesn't work indoors, it may well work outdoors.  However, this cannot be guaranteed. Other providers do not usually work unless tied into one of the above networks.

In emergencies, messages to 01882 632 491 or mobile 07769 179252 will be passed on to the visitors concerned.  

Balmore, Old Post Office, Rose Cottage, Old Laundry, and Tuim now have fibre optic wifi but they do not have landlines.  Bridge Cottage has fibre optic and a digital phone.  Maragdubh and West Drumchastle have wifi (non fibre optic).

 

Can we drink the water?

Being in a remote area, the water comes from Private Water Supplies (apart from East Lodge, Tuim Cottage and Old Post Office, which are now on mains water) and all PWS cottages have UV disinfecting lamps and filters. The water is tested annually by the Local Authority.  It is still sometimes brownish as it comes from springs through the peat. However, we have been letting cottages for over 50 years and people have been drinking the water during all this time and we have never had a problem.  If it concerns you, we recommend you boil the tap water. We ourselves use water from a private water supply and find it delicious especially with whisky and tea! No chlorine taste. 

 

Can we smoke in the cottages?

No, we have a strictly no smoking policy.  A charge will be made if a house is found to have had smoking indoors or close to the house.  Please dispose of cigarette ends in suitable containers and not on the ground.  Please no vaping in the house or leaving disposable vapes in the grounds.

Do you provide cots and highchairs?

We can provide these without charge but please order in advance as there is a limited number.  PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN COT LINEN ETC

How should we leave the cottage when we depart?

As is normal with self-catering cottages, we ask that you leave thecottage and its contents reasonably clean and tidy, emptying all rubbish into either the recycling (blue) bin or green bin for other rubbish.  Washing up should be done although dishwashers may be left running.

Beds should be stripped and linen put into the plastic bags provided. A quick run around with the hoover too especially if you have hairy dogs. We reserve the right to make an extra charge of £35 where extreme extra cleaning is required as a result of the cottage being left in a mess as the staff only have a limited time to prepare cottages for the next guests.

If your dog is moulting, we ask that you regularly hoover up the dog hair during your stay or, preferably, have it stripped before you arrive.

Where can we eat and drink locally?

There is the newly renovated Loch Rannoch Hotel with 2 restaurants and bar and is well worth a visit, then there is the Dunalastair Hotel Suites, also in the village of Kinloch Rannoch, which has a good restaurant, and a little way along the road towards Pitlochry is the Inn at Loch Tummel in Strathtummel which has a good bar/restaurant. The award-winning Moor of Rannoch Hotel by Rannoch Station serves dinner by booking only (closed in winter), and Rannoch Station Tearoom has delicious home-made cakes, soup and other food and is open 8.30 to 4.30 except Thursdays and  Fridays (Closed in winter).  A very good home-cooked dinner can be had at Bridge of Gaur Guesthouse for non residents too.

There are many places to eat in the surrounding towns. See local information in each cottage.

Some places are closed in winter.  The Local Information folder in each cottage gives a list of eating places.

The Moor of Rannoch Hotel is small and gets booked up quickly so it is a good idea to book well ahead, 01882 633 238.

PLEASE NOTE: Some places have different opening a closing times from what is written above.  It is difficult to keep up with these.  There is more up to date information in the Information Folders in the cottages.

About Your Visit

Are buses/taxis available locally?

Yes, the following business provides taxis, minibuses:

Highland Travel provide taxis and minibuses:
info@highland-travel.co.uk
07971 540 282

There is also an On Demand bus/taxi service (Dial a Bus) between Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch Station and around Loch Rannoch where, for the price of a bus fare, you can travel within this area.  Pre-booking is essential.  A notice about this service is in each cottage.  If you are a Scottish pensioner, it is free if you show your card.  Highland Travel runs this service.

Highland Travel also provides private tour guides and has several mini buses.

Do we need wellie boots for walking around the estate?

If you do the walk to Macgregor's Cave from Bridge Cottage, you need wellies to cross the burn. In winter wellies are useful for low ground walks as there is sometimes mud about. Otherwise, walking boots are usually adequate.  If climbing high hills, such as Schiehallion, walking boots are essential.  You are advised not to use trainers or equivalent in these circumstances for your own safety.

What about ticks?

We do have ticks here and all over the Highlands and it is advisable to wear long trousers when out walking in long grass, heather or bracken in spring, summer and autumn. After a walk it is sensible to check yourself for ticks and remove them if attached. There is a tick removal kit in each cottage.

They do not often attach themselves to humans, mainly to dogs and other animals. We provide a tick removal kit. If you put antiseptic on the bite, that should suffice. However, Lyme Disease is a rare infection from tick bites, so if the site of a bite gets red after a day or two, see the local doctor for preventative antibiotics. Dogs do not usually need any treatment other than removal. We all have dogs and have never had serious problems.

There is a leaflet about Lyme Disease in the information folder.

Is there a tennis court we can use?

Yes, there is a tennis court at Lochgarry House which you can use free of charge. Tennis rackets and balls can be borrowed and are stored in the summer house adjacent to the court.

Where can we walk?

You can walk around the estate on estate roads and tracks and on the hills and in fields where there are no stock or crops. There are some places where dogs can be walked off the lead provided they are under control.  During the deer stalking period, 21st September to 21st October we ask walkers to check with the keeper if they are planning to go to the hills so that he can advise them where to go to avoid stalkers. Stalking (culling) of red deer is an essential part of the environmental conservation on Dunalastair.

Rannoch has many other beautiful places to walk including
Schiehallion, the 'fairy hill of the Caledonians' and the famous
Black Wood where you will see ancient Caledonian pines and rare wildlife. Folder of walks are in the cottage. Walks leaflets are available locally.

Please do not allow your dogs to run free where there are deer, sheep or cows.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Are there shops for gifts, cashmere, etc nearby?

There is a photographic gallery in Kinloch Rannoch called The Shed Gallery.  This is run by an award winning photographer of landscapes and well worth a visit.  There are also numerous shops in and around Aberfeldy and Pitlochry and there is the famous House of Bruar an enjoyable half hour's drive from Kinloch Rannoch over the hills and near Blair Castle.  It is known locally as the 'Harrods of the North'!  Pitlochry Festival Theatre also has lovely gifts.  In Perth, the Black Watch Regimental Museum at Balhousie Castle has very nice gifts and good restaurant .  It has a free car park, which is always helpful.

When is the Trout Fishing Season?

This is from 15th March until the 6th October