Four Seasons Hotel, Perthshire: The perfect dram of Highlands relaxation

Heaviness in your shoulders disappears and your head clears, maybe it’s something to do with the air as it seems to start when the M6 becomes the A74 and gets better with each mile travelled north.

Whatever the reason, The Four Seasons Hotel in Perthshire was the perfect place to enjoy it.

Driving north is seldom the chore going in the other direction often is, and with the right amount of sweets and the boss acting as in-car DJ, the only drawback to being chauffeur was I wished we were in a classic car once the motorway gave way to sweeping roads.

Welcomed with open arms as soon as we walked through the door, Otis – our young Labrador – wasted no time in finding his way around the reception desk to make his presence known and he was treated like he was home. This a major plus-point for someone who would take his dog everywhere with him if he could.

Wanting to beat the encroaching darkness and get out for a leg-stretch after our a nearly four-hour drive from Wigan, we enjoyed a quick half-hour in the hills behind the hotel before finally having that pint.

There’s plenty to like about The Four Seasons, from the fact Susan and her team couldn’t do enough for us to the trendy but reassuringly nostalgic mid-century hints throughout the bar and rooms.

Maybe it’s a nod towards a claim to fame in that The Beatles stayed here for a couple of nights after a gig in Edinburgh in 1964, or a reflection of the calmer pace of life guests seek, though wifi is available for people who absolutely must check in with some photos.

Rooms are big and beds are comfy, with the added perk of a ‘Hogwarts’ library halfway up the stairs for guests to borrow books and DVDs for cosy nights while the chill sets in outside.

However far around the St Fillans area you might stray though, it is worth being reminded the Four Seasons excels in food.

A two-rosette resturant offers a perfect ‘date night’ scenario for couples without animals, while the more enlightened of us can enjoy food in the Tarken Bar with our dogs in tow.

This being St Andrew’s night, we were also entertained after dinner by a brilliant ceilidh band by the name of The Midgies while we tried our best to run through the stocks of beer, wine and gin.

A burger at £11.50 and 10oz Scotch rump steak with chips for a shade over £20 made-up main courses which were both met with the silent treatment. That being conversation stops while each person has a moment with their food. And the cheeseboard to follow was so good we ordered it again the following evening. Three cheeses are on offer for £7.50, or you can pay an extra two-and-a-half quid for five. No contest.

I’m reliably informed the wine was brilliant – and the fact a large glass came with a mini decanter was a nice touch – but I was having too good a time with a favourite of mine, Innis and Gunn on tap, to switch over.

And as you’d expect in the Highlands, there is a more than decent spread of single malts on offer, and gin for the trendy. Again, there is enough on the shelf to suit all tastes.

Breakfast is an euqally satisfying ceremony.

A full Scottish breakfast including haggis and black pudding set me up very nicely for a day of walking, while the boss kindly

let me try some salmon and scrambled eggs when I showed a less than sublte hint and wanting a taste.

The same can be said of my kippers the following morning, though the boss wasn’t interested in a taste test.

With wellies on and coats zipped-up, it’s only apparent in daylight just how beautiful the view over Loch Earn is.

Rising above the mist and disappearing into the hills, Otis, the boss and I only had sheep for company in parts of what turned into a four-hour walk.

The enjoyment of catching the nip on my face and taking in the view was only nearly outstripped by the feeling of that lovely fire and seeing Otis run around with Fin, the resident Labrador.

Reader Offer

Valid until Thursday, April 18, 2019 (subject to availability)

£299 for three nights bed and breakfast in best available room to include dinner one night from the Chef’s Selection Menu.

Bookings to be made direct with hotel on [email protected] quoting publication.