The Meikleour Arms Hotel, Perthshire

In the heart of eastern Perthshire (otherwise known as Cataran Country) is the wonderful boutique Meikleour Arms Hotel and restaurant. Let’s check into one of the estate’s luxury dog friendly cottages for the weekend.

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Stay at the Meikleour Arms, Highland Perthshire

If you head to the highlands of Scotland through the heart of the Cairngorms you’ll pass one of Scotland’s (and possibly the world’s) greatest wonders – the 36m high, 275 year old Meikleour Beech Hedge. To the north west of the hedge and often missed by those marvelling at the hedge is the Meikleour Estate with its french chateau style house, pretty grounds and conservation village and the rather excellent Meikleour Arms – a boutique countryside hotel.

Built in 1820 as a coaching inn for those travelling from Edinburgh to Inverness, and then a fishing lodge, the Meikleor Arms Hotel now has 11 bedrooms in the main hotel, cottages in the stables and steading, and a lovely French-Scottish farm to fork restaurant, the hotel is a great spot from which to explore eastern Perthshire. We checked into the brand new, 2-bed, dog friendly Stables Cottage which had space for four and our two pups, and an enclosed private garden leading down to the River Tay.

The Meikleour Arms – a Dog friendly hotel in Scotland

While many hotels proclaim they are dog friendly, the Meikleour Arms truly is. With rooms on the ground floor being suitable and well designed for dogs and many of the cottages, and with dogs allowed throughout the restaurant and lounges, this is a perfect dog friendly hotel in Scotland. The staff truly seem to love the pups who come to stay – and your dog will particularly love the underfloor heating in the bar!

Dining at the Meikleor Arms

Described by the Meikleor Estate as a traditional British country pub with a Gallic zest, the restaurant at the Meikleor Arms proudly produces everything itself. With a field to plate philosophy, the provenance of the food – including their own venison, game, trout, beef, seasonal vegetables and fruit, edible flowers, mushrooms, and herbs – is never in doubt.

Steaks from Aberdeenshire is hung on site and the venison is dried for delicious salami. The menu is season led, and delicious and served in the bar or the barn style dining room. Try the twice bake soufflé or the kedgeree with quails eggs! Dogs are welcome throughout.

On the bar is The Lure of Meikleour, the Inn’s own real ale from the Strathbraan Brewery, along with guests and there is an excellent wine list, including their own house claret. After dinner take your whisky into the stone-floored guest lounge to lazy by the real fire, or in summer out into the garden.

Things to do in Cateran Country at the Meikleor Arms

Dog walks abound around the hotel, alongside the River Tay. For those who like fishing the Upper Islamouth and Meikleour House is a picturesque double bank Tay beat – one of the best in Scotland – and the star of Bob & Mortimer Gone Fishing on the BBC!

Further afield, the hotel is perfectly located to explore Catalan Country and Highland Perthshire. Here is what to get up to…

Cateran Country

Named after a warrior or raider from the Scottish Highlands, Cateran Country is likely named after a battle near Glenisla between invading ‘caterans’ and the local forces of Glenesk in 1392. Cateran country centres around the Cateran Trail, a long-distance foot-path from the main town in the region, Blairgowrie to Strathardle, to Spittal of Glenshee and then on to Kirkton of Glenisla and Alyth.

Drive the 90miles of snow roads up into the Cairngorms to go sking or head east to Dunkeld and the lovely walks at the Hermitage, or just stroll on the river Tay watching the anglers.

Read more – visit Cateran Country
Read more – Discover the outdoor history with the Cateran Ecomuseum

The Meikleor Hedge

The 36m high and 530m long Meikleour beach hedge is to the south west of the hotel. Planted in 1776 by the owners of the Meikleour Estate in memory of soldiers who died in the Jacobite War, the hedge is now the highest in the world. The owner of the hedge, and the ancestors of the current owners, Robert Murray Nairne, was killed at Culloden – and the hedge is a dramatic memorial to all those lost.

Visit Perth

On the banks of the beautiful River Tay, Scotland’s Fair City might be one of the smallest cities in Scotland, but this ancient place was once Scotland’s capital. Now the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and the heart of spectacular Perthshire, the city of Perth is a great place to visit in its own right.