Intro

Alyth is not the best-known of Perthshire’s small towns and yet it’s a lovely wee place, full of charming character and community spirit. The tourist hoardes seem to be bussed unquestioningly elsewhere. It’s extremely well-placed for visitors who want a central base from which to tour or plan country pursuits from white water rafting to fishing, skiing or Munro-bagging. For golfers there are three fine and scenic 18-hole courses: Alyth, Strathmore and Glenisla. Carnoustie itself, venue for the 2007 Open, isn’t far away as we’re on the eastern side of Perthshire here, adjacent to the historic county of Angus where the Declaration of Arbroath originated, a document credited with inspiring the US Declaration of Independence.

Alyth is situated on the edge of sweeping heather-clad moorlands which stretch all the way to Braemar. Granted a Charter by King James III in 1488, Alyth was raised to the rank of Burgh of Barony with the right to hold markets and fairs. The wonderfully-named Queich, or Alyth burn, with its bridges, runs through the very centre of the town. The historic burgh lies at the foot of Glenisla and has links with Arthurian legends: on nearby Barry Hill stands the vitrified ruin of an ancient fort in which Mordred is said to have kept King Arthur's Queen Guinevere captive. To the north lies the Spittal of Glenshee with Scotland’s largest skiing area.

There’s a Folk Museum open every day between May and September. Wildlife can be spotted around the Den of Alyth, a site of special scientific interest, and at the foot of Glenisla you will find the dramatic Reekie Linn (Gaelic for ‘smoky waterfall’). Alyth's market cross dates from 1670 and in the Norman-style parish church (1839) there is a Pictish stone.

If you make the wise decision to visit, and stay specifically at this exemplary small hotel, then grab a copy of the Alyth Voice. If you think the world's gone to pot then take a lazy read through the pages of the local magazine. It's enough to make one want to relocate, immediately, to a place with such a sense of common weal. And, by the way (the things you find out as an HRS reader), Alyth was home to James Sandy and his eighteenth-century invention, the advantages of which we all enjoy every day: the concealed hinge. That might sound a bit underwhelming but – think about it.

The house

Ah, yes, you may have noticed that we used the word 'exemplary' above and, in fact, you could just skip reading the rest of this and book because that sums up what we (and our readers) think. But we better explain why.

Tigh na leigh means 'the physician's house' in Gaelic and the property did indeed serve this purpose for a long time. This, naturally, prescribes to hotel guides and sundry magazines lots of splendid opportunities for clichés... 'just what the doctor ordered' etc., etc., so we'll try not to go there. And see how we get on.

From the main street the handsome red sandstone house is plain in a suitably Presbyterian way. But be not misled for pleasures are within and about. On-street parking is easy enough and free. Enter the immaculate, fresh Hallway via the portico-guarded door and vestibule. A personal welcome from either Chris or Bettina Black will most likely ensue and you will thus meet your hosts: both moved to Scotland some years ago and, following exciting careers in the music business, they have together brought a muckle great dash of élan to Alyth.

You'll like them.

Officially a guest house, this place is way more sophisticated than most small Scottish hotels, and many larger ones, to be quite honest. Throughout, the house is hung with interesting artworks ranging from cleverly-picked oils and watercolours to striking black and white images from the world of rock music. It's a teasing combination.

From the hall you'll find access to two lounges: to the right as you face the stairs up to the bedrooms is a handsome TV Lounge; across the hall is an equally elegant and comfortable Main Lounge where a welcoming tea or coffee and homemade cookie or shortbread can be served when you arrive. Beyond this sitting room, with its bay window and designer furnishings, is the spacious, wooden-floored, Conservatory Dining Room.

Tigh na Leigh operates determinedly to favour the convenience of guests and we quickly got the sense that they'd thought-through just about everything. In other words, if they could do it and it was legal and decent and would help you have a successful stay, rest, holiday or break... then it was 'on'.

Just off the smart hall is the Reading Room, a small room with comfy seating, an array of local information, books, magazines and maps... and a free-to-use PC all set-up and ready to go. Perfect to keep in touch or help plan a day out. There are drying facilities, a secure garage for bikes and storage for golf bags and angling gear.

A big asset here is undoubtedly the Garden. There's a large pond with sporadic waterfall, seating, delightful old apple trees, plenty of space in which to sit in the sun. The old wall of the house, on the garden side, has weathered artfully and, with rambling bushes growing up the sun-warmed stone, it looks like a picture from Country Life.

Bedrooms

As with the whole operation at tee na lee the accommodation is Quality with a capital Q. There's quite a choice and each room is genuinely individual and perfectly descriptively-named. There are 5 bedrooms in all, with a 6th being introduced this year. In all rooms: a TV / DVD player, tea / coffee tray, bathrobes, hairdryers, en suite bathrooms with heated towel rails and ample hot water.

The Downstairs, yes, on the ground floor, is an airy twin room finished in soft creams and blues. Lovely carved chairs, flatscreen TV, luxurious and smartly-tiled bathroom with bath and overshower. There's copy of the Declaration of Independence on one wall and a Jack Vettriano image on the other.

Back along the corridor (past pictures of rock stars from the owners' days at Sony music) and up the stairs, then, to the other rooms. The Double is a sleek and modern room with a leather-finished double bed, darkwood furniture, antique wardrobe, flatscreen TV, tub chairs, old dressing table. In the bathroom, a spa bath awaits.

The Suite offers extra space in a separate sitting room. The look is light and modern with the colours being neutral canvasses against which fine pieces of furniture stand out, like a splendid old leather armchair and jacquard sofa. The super kingsize bed has a terrific fabric headboard with in-built reading lights. Very smart interior design at work. There's a spa bath here, too.

The Single is, of course, the smaller of the rooms and we've stayed here and thoroughly enjoyed it: immaculately clean and offering style on a budget.

However, it is The Four Poster bedroom that, unsurprisingly, steals the show. It's one of the most attractive hotel bedrooms we know of in Scotland and few would feel other than pampered and spoiled rotten by the pzazz and sexy flair of the theatrical best room. Finished in a soft lilac shade, with a gilded cornice, the room's focal points are the 7' x 7' four-poster bed, the tall windows and the fireplace. Beautiful fabrics. One window has a padded seat: sweet. The barley white bathroom has a spa bath, black and white tiled floor, bold curtains and a picture of Miles Davis looks on.

Dining

Tigh na Leigh won the Guest House Evening Meal Award this year at The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards 2008. Say the passionate-about-food owners: "We love food and this part of the world is the larder every serious food lover dreams about. Scotland has an abundance of fish, game, meat - fine vegetables, wild mushrooms and wonderful soft fruit (the Scots just never make a big deal about it). Our cooking style is of an international flavour, a bit of Mexican, Thai, Italian, the odd German dumpling and of course a good old American style barbeque with an Aussie twist when the weather is right. We always use seasonal produce, as we believe the shorter the way to your table the better the taste.

The produce we use is sourced locally, we can most likely name the farm, the cow or lamb was raised that was provided for your dinner - if you wish to have this information. We cater for vegetarians with the same gusto - all the vegetables and herbs used come from our own kitchen garden or surrounding (organic) farms when ever possible. Cheeses are sourced from a brilliant cheese shop in Blairgowrie - Scottish or imported - they have the right degree of ripeness and texture to be a grand finale to any meal."

Just £23 will secure you a delicious 3-course dinner (£18.50 for 2 courses), served in the Conservatory Dining Room with its wall of glass looking out over the private gardens and pond. Chris is chef and both he and Bettina, with support, nip in and out of the kitchen, making sure everyone's happy. They work hard to create a cheerful atmosphere. Tables are well spaced out, music plays softly and there's an arrangement of sofas and armchairs at one end of the room where some guests have a pre of post-dinner drink, or peruse the menu.

Tables are informally set: this is modern country casual. It all helps make the food go down better. As Chris and Bettina said above, they draw on influences far and wide... but always on fresh and local ingredients.

Starters recently have included Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry and Apple Relish; Steamed Asparagus in Puff Pastry with Tarragon Sauce; Western Isles Mussels with White Wine and Shallots (or, Spicy with Tequila and Chilli Peppers). Mains generally offers diners a choice of three, one always being a vegetarian dish. Expect perhaps Pan-fried Stornoway Salmon; or Aberdeen Angus Fillet Steak; or Scottish Double Lamb Chops; or Fish in a Bag (pollock, prawn and mussels with garlic and fennel baked in a parchment bag); or Mushroom Stroganoff (delicious). Steaks are always available: a wise idea.

Desserts are equally homemade and moreish, and remember that the cheese is top-quality. The whole style is both unfussy and interesting, an unusual combination. It's wonderfully fresh, home-cooked food... it's not posh or fru-fru... it's exactly the kind we know many of our readers appreciate, and we therefore 'mark up', confidently.

Breakfast

The sunny dining room is a fine and bright place in which to start the day. Following the amusingly simple way the rooms have been named, the breakfast menu offers The Scottish, The Vegetarian, The Canadian, The American and The Alternative ("just ask"). A sideboad offers a small buffet with fresh fruit, juice, cereals, muesli plus various seeds and nuts. Hot dishes, homemade bread, croissants, jam and marmalade are brought to the table. Excellent ingredients, as you would by now expect; very tasty sausages... always an acid test in any HRS breakfast review! Certainly a BreakfastRosette™-winner.

Links

We hope that you find these local links helpful:

UndiscoveredScotland.co.uk Blairgowrie area

Glamis Castle

Alyth Voice

Alyth Parish Church

Alyth Golf Club

The Reviewer's View Gary McLean

"Bettina (originally from Germany) and Chris (Scots origins and American accent) are a tremendously energetic, hard-working and creative couple in the prime of their lives who have created an exemplary oasis of stylish hospitality at very fair prices in a beautiful area of Scotland. The mood at Tigh na Leigh is relaxed and a tiny bit arty, but not at all up itself. The slightly austere façade opens to reveal warmth and brightness, a house filled with natural light and oodles of space for relaxation. A wee stunner."

Readers' Reviews

"Four of us have just returned from a three night stay at Tigh na Leigh and we can only echo all of the comments that have been made previously. From the moment we arrived 'til the minute we departed, Bettina and Chris made us feel as though we were welcome friends rather than travellers passing through and, certainly, I've never felt inclined to contact a website such as yours before to register our admiration of a hotel of any grade! In addition to the stylish and comfortable surroundings, we loved the care and attention that had been lavished on the garden and no sooner did she spot us meandering around the flowerbeds than Bettina came out to help in the identification of some of the more unusual plants that have been woven into the various borders. I do believe she may even have reawakened my recently dormant interest in horticulture!! And then there was the food! When we booked, some months back, it didn't really register with us that we could eat anything other than breakfast at Tigh na Leigh but we were happy to go along with dining in for our first evening as we'd had a long day in the car and didn't relish the prospect of combing the surrounding area for a suitable restaurant. Suffice to say, we continued to eat at Tigh na Leigh every night as we couldn't bear the thought of going elsewhere and being disappointed that we'd missed an excellent repast with Chris and Bettina. Sublime quality food, very decent wines, friendly banter with both hosts and fellow guests. We couldn't have asked for more. This really is a jewel of a place. We've returned to the daily grind rested and refreshed and are looking forward to a return when next in Scotland. Go and find out for yourselves - you won't be disappointed!" - Anne Qualters (United Kingdom), 2007

"Refreshing and absolutely deserving of all the awards. Chris and Bettina are charming and thoughtful hosts. The property is beautiful and the building renovation tasteful, modern and first class. Highly recommended." - Allan Arnold (Canada), 2007

"An international traveller for 30+ years I have stayed in a variety of renowned hotels. None have surpassed the faultless standard of this guest home. In Perthshire I would stay nowhere else and eagerly wait my next visit. Fantastic!" - A. R. H. (Scotland), 2007

"We were absolutely delighted with our overnight stay and will definitely be going back for a weekend break soon. The owners were very nice and friendly. The breakfast was very enjoyable, and our bedroom most comfortable. We had a great night's sleep. The facilities were very good - indeed, they were excellent! We couldn't fault the place at all. Head and shoulders above other guest houses we have stayed in." - D. & R. McH. (Scotland), 2007

Awards / Look & Book Box™ status This hotel was awarded a listing by HotelReview™ | Scotland and has been fully reviewed by the Guide; this includes a full overnight stay followed up by quarterly quality control checks and ongoing feedback from readers. As a reviewed hotel, its Look & Book Box™ features are ONLINE and any awards made by the Guide are published above. The star grading has been awarded by the Scottish Tourist Board, VisitScotland.

Your opinion? There’s a link to a Reader’s Review form at the top and left side of this page. It only takes a moment to send the Guide your views via the small panel that will pop-up. You can be as brief or as fulsome as you wish! Your views go to the Editor, who will acknowledge your response within a few days. He may edit feedback. Reports do not go directly online. You can be named or remain anonymous. At Scotland’s most-read hotel guide we greatly value the tremendous feedback we have from our readers. Thanks!

Disability Information: There is one ground floor bedroom but none are adapted for wheelchair-using guests, sorry.

Ghàidhlig: Bidh Ghàidhlig ri fhaighinn an seo a dh’aithghearr! Tapa leibh.

Facebook

Stumble It!

Delicious