Chesthill House is the principal sporting lodge on South Chesthill Estate, but there is also Chesthill House Annex and Gardener's Cottage. These are also bookable via this website.
Chesthill House sleeps up to 16. In total there are 7 twin bedrooms and 1 single, plus an en-suite bedsit on the ground floor which is normally used for a cook/chef. 4 of the twins are en-suite (with baths and showers), and the remaining 4 bedrooms share 1 bathroom between 2 adjacent bedrooms (and 2 of the 4 have basins). The dining table seats 12 comfortably so it is recommended to limit adults to that number, with the other rooms available for children, however the table can be extended to 14 if required.
Chesthill House is a traditional stone built lodge comprising a main entrance hall, sitting room with a TV, a bright spacious drawing room with a CD player and radio, small study and large dining room. There's a games room with snooker, table tennis, darts and a stage for budding child actors! There is a drying room, cloakroom with wc, and gun room with secure cabinet. Wireless broadband internet is available on the ground floor.
The lodge is let on a fully furnished basis including all linen and towels. Daily housekeeping is provided by Liz the housekeeper and it is recommended that a cook be employed (we can recommend a good agency). Ainster, the estate keeper, will be on standby to help you with all outdoor activities.
Further details indoors
Self-catering facilities are provided in the shape of the kitchen, which is equipped with a double Aga, electric cooker, fridge & freezer and two dishwashers. A small mini-bar is useful for serving drinks from in the drawing room.
House trained dogs are allowed downstairs, but not upstairs. If dogs are muddy or wet, please ensure they are cleaned and dried in the boot room before going any further. Dogs that might cause any damage must please be kept in the kennels in the stables in the yard, or in private cars.
Further details outdoors
Walking & picnic
Guests are more than welcome to explore the estate on foot, whether it be the river banks or the hill. At the top of the hill is a small loch, Creag a Mhadaidh, where trout can be caught from a small boat and it's a good place for a picnic, which can be carried up by Hamish in the argocat. A picnic site and table is also provided next to one of the prettiest pools on the river. Chesthill is an ideal base for those keen on more hill walking, with a number of Munros within easy reach.
Fishing
The fishing is on the River Lyon, one of the main River Tay tributaries, for both salmon and brown trout, with 4½ miles of exclusive single and double bank fishing. The lodge fishing usually includes 6 rods fished as three beats of 2 rods (except mid August when only 4 rods are available).
Catches over the last 10 years on the South Chesthill estate have averaged 55 salmon and many trout, with 2011 being a record at 101 salmon. The catch is well spread over the spring, summer, and autumn, from March through to October, with salmon caught weighing up to mid 20s lbs.
The Lyon has a long season, from April to the end of the season on 15th October. The river has both a spring run and an autumn run of salmon, with grilse in the summer months. In addition there is excellent brown trout fishing on the river, and also on Loch Creag a Mhadaidh, which is stocked with brown trout.
Stalking
Stalking is available for one or two rifles depending on the time of year, over 6,500 acres of steep and varied ground. Approximately 50 stags and 80 hinds are taken each season, with argocats being used to extract deer from the hill.
Grouse
South Chesthill has a limited stock of grouse on the hill, which provides August tenants with one walked up day.
Additional Activities
There is a separate games room above the garage with table tennis, darts, piano and small billiards table.
Clay pigeon shooting can be arranged with the estate keeper, except during the stalking season. Clays and cartridges will be charged at cost.
There are nine hole golf courses at Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Strathtay and Killin, and an attractive 18 hole course at Taymouth Castle. Water sports are available on Loch Tay.
Pony trekking is available locally.
Being in central Perthshire it is an ideal base for exploring the central Highlands, within 12 miles of Aberfeldy, 20 miles of Pitlochry and less than two hours to Edinburgh airport.
