Perthshire Estate | Self Catering & Glamping | Bamff Estate - An unusual small estate on the edge of the Highlands with beavers

Posted by Rachel on Jul 23, 2013

Old Brewhouse Alyth Holiday Cottage

The Old Brewhouse is a self catering holiday cottage in a converted wing of the castle, near Alyth, Blairgowrie (East Perthshire). This comfortable and charming cottage sleeps 4 and is on the peaceful Bamff Estate. Ideal for holidays and short breaks. Pet friendly and surrounded by wildlife and walking routes. Our guests usually spend some of their time relaxing, watching wildlife such as beaver, otter and roe deer, walking the dog, playing games on the lawn, or just enjoying the peace and quiet. The estate is an ecological haven, an ideal place for families and nature lovers to holiday and explore and the wider area is full,of possibilities too. Check availability for the Old Brewhouse Alyth holiday cottage For birdwatchers, beaver spotters and wildlife lovers In addition to (and partly because of) the famous Bamff beaver wetlands Bamff estate is of particular interest to birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts as it enjoys a broad range of indigenous and migrating species of birds. It is also close to Loch of the Lowes for ospreys and Kinnordy for waders. There are also lots of wild mammals at Bamff: roe deer may be seen standing in the clearings or bouncing off through the trees. Red squirrels, varying in colour from strawberry blonde to chestnut are not infrequently seen running up tree trunks and along branches. Pine martens are seen more rarely. Wildcats have been spotted over the years, (after a long gap one was seen in summer 2016) and hedgehogs, moles, stoats, weasels, polecats, badgers and foxes all have homes at Bamff. A small number of wild boars live in the area and signs of them may be seen around Bamff. You may even spot an animal snouting around in the woods or sharp eyed observers may seen their signs. For walkers and cyclists The Old Brewhouse holiday cottage is also a great base for exploring the Cateran Trail, the 64 mile waymarked circular walk through Highland Perthshire and the Angus Glens, and for golfers, skiers and castle and whisky visitors. The Trail passes right through the estate, just down the road from the house. You can also choose to walk two different circular routes on the grounds approximately 1-2 miles long or go up our little hill, Balduff – a good practice hill for would be Munro-baggers – just an hour up to the top and wonderful views of the surrounding country. There are plenty of Munros and Corbetts in the...

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Posted by Rachel on Jul 23, 2013

Cateran Trail Walk

The Cateran Trail is a circular walk of 64 miles through the spectacular and varied landscape of East Perthshire, from the open farmland on the edge of the highlands to the rugged mountain terrain of Glenshee. ‘Cateran’ comes from the feared cattle thieves who raided the rich lands of Strathardle, Glenshee and Glen Isla. Map: The Cateran Trail through Bamff Estate Sample Itinerary Day 1 – Blairgowrie – Bridge of Cally. (7 miles) Day 2 – Bridge of Cally – Kirkmichael. (8 miles) Day 3 – Kirkmichael – Spittal of Glenshee (8.5miles) Day 4 – Spittal of Glenshee – Glenisla. (14.5 miles) Day 5 – Glenisla – Bamff. (8 miles) Day 6 – Bamff. – Blairgowrie. (11 miles) For more information on the Cateran Trail see: www.walkthecaterantrail.com The Old Brewhouse lies on the Cateran Trail and offers a flexible range of accommodation options for walkers.We can provide an affordable pick-up and drop-off service by arrangement, call Bob Ellis on 01828 640396. Find out more about our holiday cottageand our yurts. Geocaching and the Cateran Trail GeoTour Geocaching is a treasure hunt for the digital generation in which participants use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to seek out a cache that has been hidden at a specific location. You can download a Cateran Trail GeoTour passport and collect points in the form of stamps from participating businesses such as ourselves. Learn more >...

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Posted by Rachel on Jul 23, 2013

History

Bamff estate has been owned by the Ramsay family since the year 1232, when Neish Ramsay, a doctor, was given the lands of Bamff, Fyal, Kinkeadly and Ardormie, as a reward for saving the life of his patient, King Alexander II of Scotland. He is reputed to have removed a hairball from his stomach in an early successful operation. Local legend tells a longer story involving a magic potion made of a white snake caught at the cave behind the Reekie Linn waterfall. The present building began as a tower house whose origins are not known for sure but are likely to date to the 13th century. Sir James Ramsay, who collected and edited the charters, states that a “new tower” must have been built between 1580 and 1595 since a charter installs George 11 in the “Manes of Bamff, tour, fortalis, ortcheardes”. But contemporary architectural historians say that the new tower will most likely have been built on the site of the old tower and some of the stonework will date from the original building. It was unusual to move the building unless there was a problem with the site. In the case of Bamff, built on a rock in otherwise low wet ground, the site was well chosen. The house was altered and extended in the 18th and 19th century. The vaulted ceiling of the original kitchen was cut and the present library was made out of the space above. In 1820 the present dining room was added, as a drawing room, and in 1843 the architect Robert Burn remodelled the house. The area in front of the house was lowered at that time to raise the height of the basement floor and create the present hall. This also involved removing a double external staircase, which had given direct access to the first floor. Elaborate ceilings were added to three of the rooms at that time along with the present main staircase. The spiral staircases at the back, various other offices were added, along and the present kitchen began life as the dining room. At this time most of the Old Brewhouse was built, incorporating part of an older building. It was used as scullery, larders, brewhouse, dairy and washroom in the days when the estate was partially self sufficient and made its own beer, butter and cheese. Paul’s mother remembers her mother’s claim that the butter at Craighall was never as good as Bella’s butter at...

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Posted by Rachel on Jul 24, 2013

Wildlife and Conservation

Bamff Estate places a strong emphasis on conservation and wildlife, and has a beaver project that was the first of its kind in the UK – a pioneering example of restoration ecology. Flourishing wildlife Visitors to Bamff will find much wildlife flourishing on the estate. Planted and naturally regenerated native woodlands on the low ground are full of birds and small mammals, and on the hill the establishment of new native pinewoods is underway. This approach is being integrated with an eighteenth century planned landscape whose fine old trees give great beauty to the surroundings of the house. The many species of bird seen at Bamff are listed under ‘Birdwatching’. There are also a lot of wild mammals including roe deer, occasional fallow and red deer, hares, rabbits, foxes, badgers, stoats, weasels, pole cats, pine martens, red squirrels, otters, water voles, beavers, hedgehogs, mice, shrews, voles and possibly wild cats. Some of these animals are very illusive, but you are very likely to see roe deer, and quite likely to see squirrels and rabbits, but less likely to catch a glimpse of a pine marten. Otters are not an uncommon sight, especially for beaver watchers. You may be lucky and see a water vole. The farm is organic, mainly sheep and cattle, and in springtime enchanting lambs frolic in the fields near the house. Andrew is often to be seen on his quad bike with his dog on the back, looking over the sheep. If you would like to visit the beaver wetlands or be taken to watch beavers on a summer’s evening, please ask. More about the Beaver Project > More about wild boar > See the Bamff beaver blog here >...

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Posted by Louise Ramsay on Jun 10, 2014

Yurts

We have now installed two beautiful yurts in the open wooded area behind the castle and they are available to let by the night, mini break or week. Our yurts were made in Mongolia in the traditional way, but adapted to suit the British climate. Both yurts are charming and romantic. Each has a slightly different layout inside from the other. They are both fully equipped with bedlinen, towels, crockery, cutlery, tea lights etc. and an initial basket of logs. The North Yurt now has a charming box/boat type Kingsize bed which can be divided into two uniquely designed twin bed/chaise longues either side of the wood-burning stove. In Kingsize mode it is a romantic retreat for a couple. In twin mode it makes a cosy sitting room by day and bedroom at night. We can also supply a camping mattress for an extra person with their own bedding which works with either layout in both yurts. The South Yurt is a romantic place for a couple to stay, with a double bed & room to sit by the wood burning stove at the foot of the bed. Both yurts have their own deck, barbecue and picnic table and some boxes to store clothes under the bed. PLEASE NOTE, NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN THE YURTS. IF YOU BRING A DOG IT MUST SLEEP IN THE CAR. THIS IS TO PROTECT ANY SUBSEQUENT GUESTS WITH ALLERGIES. Check Availability for the Yurts Book online or Email. Facilities The Yurts also share a bonfire area with larger barbecue and for bigger parties and indoor facilities in the castle, including kitchenette, wet room shower, toilet and a common room with soft seating, dining space for days when outdoor life is less appealing. This has small cooker and microwave, basic kitchen facilities, small TV, bookcase, board games, and wifi. Fire-wood for the yurt stoves and firewood are available for sale at £5 a bag or bundle and locally made charcoal for £2.50 for a small bag or £7 for a large one. If you are not arriving on foot or by bike you can park your car nearby. There is a drying rack for wet outdoor clothes in the boiler room. (Please ask if you need to use it). The yurts are on the Cateran Trail so you can set off for a day’s walk in either direction. We can also arrange transport to and from any other sections of the trail. The yurts are very convenient for the Scottish Woodland...

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Posted by Louise Ramsay on Jul 15, 2016

The Gate Lodge holiday cottage

The Gate Lodge is a 2 bedroom holiday cottage at the beginning of the drive to Bamff House with enclosed private garden. The cottage sleeps 4 and is a comfortable and charming place to stay either by the week or for short breaks. It has one double room and one bunk room. It was beautifully refurbished in 2016. Check Availability for the Gate Lodge Book online or Email The Gate Lodge is a detached cottage at the entrance to Bamff estate. It has 2 bedrooms, 1 double, and 1 twin with bunkbeds, a small sitting room with wood burning central heating (with electrical back-up). It has a fully equipped kitchen/dining room, and bathroom with shower over bath. The bunk beds are adult sized and designed so that an adult can sit on the lower bunk. The whole cottage was refurbished in 2016. The furniture and fittings include pieces of antique and vintage character. There is a fully enclosed garden. The cottage is warm and cosy and ideal at any time of year. All logs for this property are included in the price to encourage greener heating. Well behaved dogs are welcome. Linen and towels are provided. Electricity is included in the price. All logs for the Gate Lodge are now also provided free of charge to encourage you to heat the cottage the green way! The cottage is available for short breaks – half weeks, and week-ends – even single nights. Please arrive after 4pm and leave by 10am. If you want to order in shopping or meals please ask advice. There are many lovely walks in the area of all lengths, but you can start by walking up the drive to the castle, through natural woodland filled with small pools created by dam-building activities of the Bamff beavers. Some of the best beaver wetlands in the UK are within yards of the cottage, and many water loving species – such dippers, ducks, herons, frogs and otters may also be seen. Equally you can head off to enjoy one of the many activities in the area, from golf to castle viewing, or just relax in the cottage or garden and enjoy the peace and quiet. Broadband is now available at the...

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Posted by Anna on Aug 18, 2016

Hideaway

Check Availability for the Hideaway Book online or Email The Hideaway, on a lovely woodland footpath on the Cateran trail, overlooking two beaver ponds and one beaver dam, is a little bit like a wildlife watching hide, but it is also a romantic off-grid glamping hut of great charm. It is a place for people who like to be quiet and watch wildlife – we ask our guests to be especially quiet around the pools from 7 pm when beavers and beaver watchers are about. It has a four poster bed, built from beaver cut wood, and a wood burning stove, two armchairs and a coffee table. There is also a table where you can boil a kettle or cook something up on a camping gas stove. It is fully equipped with bed linen, towels, crockery, cutlery, candles, etc and an initial basket of logs. The Hideaway has its own off-grid shower and composting toilet in the woods behind. Fairy lights and lamps, a USB point to recharge your phone, and the shower are powered by a solar panel on the roof and a car battery ensures electricity all year round. Water for the shower is supplied from a rain water barrel from the roof. A z-bed can be made up on request for a small extra charge (or used with own bedding free). There is also a hammock which might be an option for a child. With such proximity to the beavers habitat at the front and a wood full of red squirrels behind, the Hideaway is ideal for lovers of quiet places and wildlife. 1 basket of fire-wood is supplied and extras are for sale at £5 a bag. The Hideaway guests may make use of the Yurt Facilities if needed, including a shower and room with wifi and tourist information. If you are not arriving on foot or by bike you can park your car nearby. The yurts are on the Cateran Trail so you can set off for a day’s walk in either direction. We can also arrange transport to and from any other sections of the...

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The dog days of summer – and a bit about trees.

Posted by Louise Ramsay on Sep 2, 2017 in Blog | 0 comments

It was lovely today. It happened in that way that Scotland has, of throwing up beautiful days at random, sprinkled between the cold, the windy and the wet ones. A gleaming day, at times a hot day, with just a glimpse of autumn – a tree here or there tinged with paprika or ginger. I walked down the drive in the morning to look at the beaver pools in the little hidden den just below the causeway that the drive runs along. This is an area I was hardly aware of before we had beavers. But now there are so many dams there – maybe six or seven, and a flight of deep pools which today were glassy still and reflecting the tall trees. It has become a magic glade. Bamff has such a strange mixture of trees and plants. Each generation of people has had its own idea of what should be growing here. Once, presumably, it was mainly patchy forest and wet-wood – pine forest on the hill and in the low-ground willow, alder, birch, rowan and hazel; ash too and elm I presume. Probably oak as well and pine in drier parts. There would have been clearance over time, some intentional, some perhaps more accidental – driven by the...