Wednesday 21 July 2010

Late Fishing Availability on the River Tay


The Scottish Highlands and Perthshire offer some of the finest salmon fishing and scenery in Scotland. Tay salmon fishing is renowned the world over and Ballathie's riverside location is ideal for a fishing holiday.

Due to a cancellation, we have some late availability in the height of the Salmon Fishing Season for the Week Commencing Monday 9th August 2010. The cost of fishing is £160.00 per rod, per day. To book, telephone Gail on 01250 883268 or book online at www.fishtay.co.uk.

Accommodation is also available in the Sportsman's Lodge from as little as £55.00 per person, per night or in the Main Hotel/Riverside Building from £105.00 per person, per night. For more information on or to book online, please see further information on fishing breaks in perthshire.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Wedding of Wendy & Graeme 05.07.10



Below is a very kind thank you letter from Wendy & Graeme who held their wedding here at Ballathie House Hotel on 5th July 2010, a big thank you to the happy couple for allowing us to use this:

I would have liked to compose this email earlier but is has been hectic and we managed a few days away last weekend. Please pass our comments on to the staff mentioned and the managing director/owner.

Well where do i start!

Graeme and I (and our families) were absolutely delighted with our wedding day. All thanks and credit to you Gail for supporting, advising and co-ordinating everything for us in the lead up to the Wedding and on the day. Nothing was too much bother and we appreciated all your efforts, especially when plans were changed and of course no one knew what the weather was going to do on the day. Your calmness and "no problem" attitude were a great help especially when we chose to have our ceremony outside (or on the staircase) - something the hotel hadn't done before. The ceremony was perfect - just as we wanted it - thanks for making it all possible.

Ballathie was the perfect venue for us - Graeme loved it from the moment he saw it - and as I had attended a wedding before I knew the high standards that the hotel offer. Of course having my dog Holly there was essential for us and we certainly welcomed the dog friendly policy!

Please pass on thanks to all the staff - everyone deserves a mention - even those who weren't perhaps visible on the day - everyone's hard work makes a good team. However - there are a few people who we would like to single out.

The chef - Wow - produced a wonderful meal on the Sunday prior to our Wedding - thank you.

The Wedding Meal - was loved by all - everything was perfect. The food was exceptional. Thanks again to the chef also to all the hardworking staff in the kitchen and all the waiters/waitresses. They were so efficient you hardly knew they were there.
The cooked breakfast the next day was first class!

A special mention to David for being master of ceremonies and keeping everything flowing. He was very tactful and calm when we had run over time. He also saved the day with our first dance when he offered to download our chosen track and play it on ipod.

Housekeeping do a marvellous job - all the rooms were immaculate - Room 10 was beautiful - Graeme and I will definitely return again. I'm sure many of our guests and family will too. Many guests have passed on lots of positive comments about Ballathie.

I was delighted with how smoothly everything went. We were blessed with the weather and I was surprisingly calm and relaxed the whole day through. Thanks to the team for making everything perfect.

Thanks to Sharon also for assisting with reception duties and being "keeper of the keys". She was friendly to all guests and we enjoyed chatting to her.

Bar staff also deserve a personal message - especially from the hard core guests who stayed up late on the Wedding night!

It was great that we had the chance to meet the owner of the hotel - he showed an interest in our wedding and wished us well.

Thanks also to Arnaud who assisted in the run up to the Wedding. He has a lovely calm manner with guests and we wish him well in his new position at the hotel.

I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone - and all that's left to say to everyone is A BIG THANK YOU - we loved Ballathie!

Thanks again Gail

Best wishes

Wendy and Graeme

Sunday 18 July 2010



Some of the finest classic cars in the world added more touches of glamour, luxury and verve to Ballathie House when their owners stayed with us in June 2010 after a successful visit in 2009.

Each year Scotland's most famous motor racing team, Ecurie Ecosse, organises a private tour for 25 friends whose cars have a total value of around £6 million. In 2009 they chose Ballathie and enjoyed it so much that this year they spent another four nights here, touring Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Fife each day. One of the most valuable models was a Ferrari 275GTB4, owned by Sir Paul Vestey, which competed in the famous Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1966. Vestey's co-driver was David Edwards, former organiser of the Classic Adelaide international rally, who flew in from Australia for the event. Another Australian taking part was Scott Shearmann with a classic Mercedes Benz 300SL which he transported by ship. Hugh McCaig, Patron, reformed the Ecurie Ecosse team in 1982 and under his patronage the team were World Champions in the Group C2 Championship in 1986. The team also won the Le Mans Races in 1956 and 1957 with its Jaguars. "Our guests had such a great time driving on local roads last year that we felt we had to come back," he commented.

Saturday 17 July 2010

New to this!

Good afternoon from a slighty overcast and windy Perthshire. We are new to Blogger but hope to bring you regular updates of things happening in and around Ballathie and the surrounding area.