I’ll never forget the drive up to our holiday spot in Fearnan, Perthshire – a proper Scottish adventure that started with a classic me moment. We’d piled into the car in Aberfeldy after grabbing some essentials from the local shops, me insisting on navigating via a dodgy phone signal. Big mistake. Halfway along the winding B846, I took a wrong turn onto a single-track road that had us dodging sheep and questioning my life choices. “Are we lost or just on a scenic detour?” my mate laughed, as we backed up for the third time. But honestly, that little mishap just built the anticipation – by the time we spotted the countryside opening up towards Loch Tay, we were buzzing.

Pulling up to this charming contemporary property just 3.7 miles from Kenmore, my first impressions were spot on. It’s a reverse-level setup tucked into the hills, with off-road parking and those jaw-dropping views straight over the loch from the upper living area. Ground floor’s all about the bedrooms – two super-kings (one zip/link, handy that), a master en-suite, and a sleek family bathroom. Perfect for our group of four mates, cosy without feeling cramped. We dumped the bags and cracked open a bottle of local ale, toasting the fact we’d arrived in one piece.

From there, it was all about the food – Perthshire does it so right, especially when you’ve got a well-equipped kitchen begging for some home-cooked experiments. First night, I fancied myself a chef and attempted a venison stew with ingredients from Kenmore’s village shop. Grabbed venison from the butcher there (proper fresh, none of that supermarket stuff), added carrots, onions, and a splash of Aberfeldy whisky for good measure. It simmered away while we watched the sun dip over Loch Tay – turned out half-decent, though I overdid the thyme and spent the evening fishing herbs out of my teeth. We paired it with crusty bread from the bakery in Kenmore, laughing about my “gourmet mishap.”

Next day, we wandered down to the loch for a gentle stroll, building up an appetite, then hit the Mains of Taymouth Country Estate’s pub just a stone’s throw away. Their fish and chips were legendary – flaky haddock in a light batter, proper mushy peas, and chips that didn’t need vinegar to shine. Washed down with a pint of local Brewgooder, it felt like the heart of Perthshire on a plate. Back at the property, we tried our hand at a full Scottish breakfast the morning after: tattie scones, Lorne sausage, and eggs from Fearnan’s farm shop. Mine were a bit charred – note to self, low and slow next time – but the views made up for it, munching on the deck as mist rolled off the water.

Evenings were for pub-hopping nearby. The Breadalbane Arms in Kenmore became our go-to – their haggis bonbons with whisky cream sauce had us scraping the plate, and the sticky toffee pudding was pure comfort. One night, we lugged back cheeses and oatcakes from the Aberfeldy farmers’ market (just a quick drive), assembling a massive grazing board with Loch Tay salmon. It was messy, glorious, and way better than any restaurant.

Looking back, that week was a gentle nudge: I’m no MasterChef, but faffing about in that kitchen, surrounded by mates and those epic views, beat fine dining hands down. Perthshire’s food scene – from farm-fresh markets to hearty pub grub – made our stay unforgettable. If you’re after a spot to eat, drink, and laugh your way through the countryside, this is it. Can’t wait to go back.