#025: You Need To Visit This Hidden Gem The Next Time You Visit Scotland

Check out our itenary from our mini Scottish road trip, including a must-stay hotel that is our favourite of the year so far.

Hey lovers,

I can’t believe we have hit #25 issues for Mr. and Mr. | The Weekly Edit!

Thank you so much to all of you, whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just recently joined our publication.

We are thrilled that you’re here.

We also just caught wind that we are trending in the top 50 rising publications for Travel here on Substack, which is beyond brilliant to hear, and what better way to celebrate #25 than focusing on our mini Scottish road trip we took a couple of weeks ago.

Jacob and I have such grand plans for this publication and our social media in general, so this is a nice little milestone to hit, and there’s plenty more where that came from!

Have You Ever Heard Of This Scottish Highland Town Before?

Well, if you are new here, you might not be aware that I (Chris) am Scottish, and that Jacob also considers himself as such (his mum’s family coming from Kircaldy of all places).

That means we both have a huge affinity with the place, and consistently talk about giving up London sooner rather than later, for life in one of our favourite places in the world.

A couple of weeks back, we were lucky to have been gifted a Mercedes-Benz car to drive up into the Highlands for the week, and of course, we jumped at the opportunity.

Whenever we visit Scotland, we usually hit Glasgow first being where my family are from, but also because it is known as the “gateway” to the highlands.

Glasgow is brimming with the ever intrepid traveler, ready to embark on their adventure via the many trains and buses that can get you to the infamous landscapes in no time at all.

In forty-five minutes, you can find yourself at the banks of Loch Lomond - you know, that song:

You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road,

And I’ll be in Scotland before you.

For me and my true love will never meet again,

On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Well, in a slightly different direction and a little further out, you can find yourself in a town nestled among the mountains that looks like something out of Brigadoon.

Picturesque streets, rolling hills, and even a famous festival theatre, the town of Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands is somewhere you NEED to visit.

We will get into a little of our itinerary in a moment, but before do, we need to shine a spotlight on the hidden gem that we stayed at while visiting…

The Pine Trees Hotel, Pitlochry

If there is one thing Jacob is astoundingly good at (fortunately, there are many), it’s finding incredible hotels to stay in.

This hotel, which he came across on Instagram, and which had just won an award for Boutique Hotel Of The Year, sits hidden away among ginormous pine trees and rolling hills, while being a mere five-minute walk from the centre of town.

From the moment you step out of the car, that fresh, pinewood, water vapour smell just hits you, and it honestly feels as though you could be in the middle of nowhere (which Jacob and I love FYI).

On their website, they claim to be “understated luxury in the heart of Perthshire”, and they certainly were that.

As you step inside this newly renovated mansion, you instantly feel as though you are being given a warm, Scottish hug with a roaring fire in the entrance hallway.

With dark walls and luscious interiors, the Spotify playlist playing Hozier gives the real “granola girl and boy” effect.

Truthfully, the staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and at home, with complimentary treats on arrival, and every corner you turn!

When one of them showed us to the room we would be staying in, Jacob and I audibly gasped at just how beautiful it was.

“Can this be what our bedroom looks like when we grow up?” I remember asking, as I collapsed on the king-sized bed.

I don’t have much of an interior design eye, but I know staying in places when it feels as though it has been fully realised and when it hasn’t.

This place knows what it’s doing.

In terms of rooms, they have the main house, a newly opened coach house, another house and a cottage, all with rooms available to book!

We will get into their restaurant ‘Fauna’ in a moment, but needless to say, your meals are sorted for when you stay - one of the best hotel restaurants we have ever eaten in.

The hotel also prides itself on its sustainability initiatives, and offer’s a ton of experiences for its guests: anything from hiking, tasting menus, luxury escapes and even dog-friendly experiences.

It is also worth mentioning that as a gay couple, we couldn’t have been made to feel safer and more included if we tried; something you might not get at every hotel accommodation you stay at in the more remote parts of Scotland.

What We Did When We Were There

Once we got over the initial shock of just how beautiful our hotel was, we decided to venture out.

Pitlochry is extremely well connected to many other gems in the Scottish Highlands, which you should check out if you stay.

Now, because we had the car, we decided to explore beyond the town, but there is plenty of adventure at your doorstep.

Before heading off, we stumbled across another little gem called The Bakery.

This gorgeous working bakery isn’t on the main street and is sort of tucked away (just like the Pine Trees hotel), but we can confirm that the coffee, pizza slices, and yummy treats were the perfect fuel to get us back on the road.

There is nothing like the smell of fresh baking when you’re surrounded by the misty mountains, you know?

All set, we decided to drive for about an hour (through some pretty windy roads), to reach Balmoral Castle, the infamous home-away-from-away for the Royals, and where the late Queen enjoyed much of her time.

If you get a chance to visit and are interested in seeing Scottish castles, then you should go.

Just ensure it’s open on the day you are going, as it may only be accessible at weekends during the low tourist seasons.

I mean, the scenery alone from driving will take your breath away, and there are plenty of photo opportunities when you are out exploring, as well as many quaint Scottish towns and villages along the way.

Once we arrived back at the hotel, we freshened up and headed to dinner at Fauna.

Boy, oh boy, this didn’t disappoint.

The restaurant menu, which I loved, had a map of Scotland on the back of it, and lists where it sources all of its produce.

We were offered a complimentary welcome drink before sharing some wine, and both of us ate a sumptuous beef dish that you would confuse with coming out of a Michelin star restaurant.

We finished with sticky toffee pudding soufflés - need I say more?

Truthfully, we barely made it upstairs from eating so much good food and completely conked out for the night.

After a sublime sleep in our king-sized bed, we headed down for breakfast, which was equally to die for, before heading down into the town for a nosey about.

We didn’t have enough time, but we would have watched something at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which has just been taken over by none other than Alan Cumming as it’s artistic director.

Be sure to check it out when you’re there, as we are sure there will be some exciting stuff going on!

Hearts full, we packed up our James Bond car and were waved off by the warmest and lovliest staff, who even gave us bags of candy for our journey!

Though we had been there before, we decided to drive to Glencoe, which is known as one of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes in all of Scotland.

The place is full of myth and legend, and if you’re familiar, the backdrop for the James Bond movie “Skyfall”.

If you’re lucky enough to hire a car, Glencoe should be at the top of your list for places to drive to.

One last little recommendation, if you find yourself heading back to Glasgow after your trip in the highlands, be sure to stop off at the Loch Lomond Arms, which is located in the prettiest little Scottish village of Luss.

You’ll have the best haggis you’ll ever taste, with a roaring fire to keep you company.

My heart swells talking about it.

We are so lucky and blessed to have an affinity with a country with such a strong identity and world-famous culture.

If you ever want to know more about Scotland or need more recommendations about the place, I’d be more than happy to try and help!

Until next time,

Chris and Jacob xx