Set inside 10 acres of tranquil woodland on the sting of Pitlochry in Perthshire, Pine Bushes is Apex Resort’s newest rural outpost, having simply opened in December following a multimillion-pound refurbishment which has seen all guestrooms and communal areas fully up to date together with a brand new bar and restaurant providing. The Luxurious Editor was kindly invited alongside for a weekend to meet up with outdated associates in Pitlochry and uncover why Pine Bushes has already received ‘Boutique Resort of the 12 months’ on the Nationwide Inns of the 12 months Scotland 2025!
The motion of ‘coorie residing’, Scotland’s reply to the Scandinavian idea of ‘hygge’, actually does completely describe the environment of Pine Bushes. The lodge invitations you to disconnect from trendy life for a second and embrace the simplicity of a slower tempo. 32 superbly appointed rooms function bespoke furnishings and loads of surprises, some have balconies and patios, some have 4 poster beds or free-standing bathtubs, whereas others embrace cosy lounges ultimate to ‘coorie’ away in. The lodge’s floor flooring restaurant and bar, Flora and Fauna, presents a recent Scottish culinary expertise, celebrating regionally sourced components whereas Flora Bar serves an in depth choice of whiskies and cocktails providing the right place for a pre, post-dinner or total night of indulging.
Considerate touches circulation all through, beginning with the boot room on the lodge entrance, full with raincoats and wellies for visitors whereas a big, stylised ceramic inexperienced Scottie canine and water bowl sign that pets are greater than welcome. Nicely-stocked Scottish grazing larders filled with complimentary candy and savoury treats guarantee a snack is at all times readily available at any time of day or night time together with welcome drinks and candies left in rooms on arrival. Plant-based toilet merchandise by Laura Thomas Co are the amenity of alternative and upon departure, we obtain a bag of sweets for the journey house.
A lodge is nothing with out employees and right here you’ll be able to anticipate an exceptionally heat welcome, and by the tip of your keep, you’ll probably be on first-name phrases, and in our case, this may increasingly have been accelerated by my pal’s enthusiastic strategy to sampling the bar’s most interesting libations.
Interiors ship each heat and intimacy with most of the lodge’s unique options having been retained and restored together with its marble staircase, cornicing and stained glass. Within the foyer Victorian wooden panelling now navy blue and herringbone flooring are contrasted by a curated mixture of mid-century and classic furnishings, whereas ornamental ornaments, brass flooring standing lamps, and modern art work from Scottish artists add layers of texture and curiosity to the styling.
A wood reception desk, positioned below the lodge’s sweeping staircase reinforces the tone of welcoming and relaxed, moderately than formal lodge environment.
The higher flooring touchdown is now an area the place visitors can loosen up with sofas and a Scottish larder station.
Location
It’s a simple fifteen-minute stroll from the lodge into Pitlochry city centre and prepare station, and an hour and a half drive from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow. You’ve got a wealth of exploring in your doorstep and the lodge will help you uncover the area with bespoke experiences, together with Land Rover adventures, salmon fishing on the Tay, clay pigeon capturing in Dunkeld, and whisky experiences at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery (extra about this additional on)
Rooms and Suites
32 distinctive and individually styled visitor rooms and suites are unfold throughout the primary flooring of the principle Victorian mansion, The Coach Home, Heatherbank Home, and the Cottage. Choices vary from Comfortable Rooms (19 sqm), excellent for brief stays with their cosy design, tremendous king-size beds, and bespoke furnishings, to Cozy Rooms (28 sqm), which give a extra spacious, light-filled setting with interval options, a brilliant king-size mattress, and a snug seating space.
Cozy Luxe Rooms (33 sqm) supply enhanced consolation and beautiful views, combining rural class with trendy touches. These spacious rooms function bespoke furnishings, vintage-style DAB radios, GHD hairdryers, and premium Laura Thomas Co. toiletries. One room may be configured as a twin on request. Suites (36 sqm) are designed for longer stays, every uniquely styled with separate residing areas, bespoke furnishings, and en-suite loos. Some suites may be tailored into household rooms with a pull-out couch mattress, whereas three supply the pliability of dual configurations.
All rooms include a vintage-style DAB radio with a built-in Bluetooth receiver to stream your personal alternative of music, GHD hairdryer, slippers and bathrobes. Stroll-in bathe (sure rooms additionally function roll-top baths) that includes luxurious and sustainable toiletries by Laura Thomas Co.
Drina Luxe Suite
Situated on the entrance of the property on the primary flooring searching to the gardens under the Drina Luxe Suite is the biggest room within the lodge. Sitting at 65 sqm this expansive house is damaged up by a central yellow floating storage island separating it right into a residing and sleeping space whereas sustaining the room’s openness. Awash with historic options, from the unique detailed cornicing and grand mouldings together with panel work and marble hearth all sit in concord with modern and upcycled furnishings. Within the toilet a freestanding tub is positioned beneath its home windows, permitting you to unwind whereas having fun with the Perthshire surroundings.
Heatherbank Home
Together with the principle lodge property, Pine Bushes additionally options two extra standalone buildings and a cottage. I stayed in room 40 (named Gray Wagtail) in Heatherbank Home, a brief one-minute stroll from the principle lodge constructing. The constructing is cut up up into two rooms on the bottom flooring and on the higher flooring additional rooms, with a communal upper-floor lounge, ultimate for bigger events.
Upon coming into Heatherbank Home you might be instantly greeted by a Scottish Larder replenished each day these function throughout all lodge buildings – assist your self at any level within the day or night time to a complimentary snack and additionally, you will discover small bottles of milk for espresso within the fridge there too.
At 36 sqm Room 40 runs the total size of 1 aspect of Heatherbank Home. Floating in the midst of the suite a king-sized mattress framed by a half-height white wooden paneled function wall creates a hall with a console desk and lamp resulting in the lavatory and walk-in wardrobe. On the backside of the mattress and to at least one aspect velvet sofas in muted orange hues present a relaxed house to unwind or watch TV, whereas reverse French doorways open out to a non-public terrace.
A bunch of regionally sourced Scottish welcome treats awaited me, with candies from Ian Burnett Chocolatier, gin from Pickering’s and whisky from Edradour Distillery. Different sustainable touches embrace espresso baggage for a cafetiere providing an eco-friendly various to a Nespresso machine and the elimination of plastic by way of mineral water by Belu Water.
You may be forgiven for not wanting to depart the lavatory, a freestanding tub sits in a central place and throughout a spacious glass enclosure walk-in bathe with gold fixtures, and a big rain showerhead is complimented with toiletries by North Berwick Laura Thomas Co. The minimalist self-importance is paired with a cubic porcelain sink and brass trimmed mirror whereas marble partitions and flooring with comfortable gray veining add refined motion to the room’s impartial palette.
The suite additionally contains an extra tucked-away visitor space with bunk beds, making it excellent for households with younger kids. Whereas a spacious walk-in wardrobe and dressing desk present ample storage making certain that garments and suitcases may be neatly saved out of sight, a blessing for folks like myself who journey heavy and are messy, permitting me to keep up an organised, clutter-free and zen-like bed room expertise throughout my keep.
Coach Home
Subsequent to Heatherbank Home is the Coach Home, at its coronary heart a spacious room with a excessive vaulted ceiling and industrial design and within the centre, a protracted wood eating desk with modern black chairs gives a communal house for visitors.
To the left and proper on each decrease and higher flooring are a collection of visitor rooms and suites, some with impartial entrances.
Meals and Drink
Native nature is on the very coronary heart of Pine Bushes, all rooms are named after native crops and animals, and this ethos circles again to the restaurant and bar aptly named Flora and Fauna.
Flora Bar
Delivering an intimate environment, curved armchairs with a cocooning sense of consolation are set round modern, minimalist marble and stone-topped tables, with gentle coming from up lighters which give off a comfortable, subtle glow. Service is slick and the cocktails even slicker – the margarita is a should!
Fauna Restaurant
Led by head chef Michael Hibbins Fauna showcases Scotland’s larder at its most interesting, that is superlative farm-to-fork eating with over 80% of components coming from Scotland. The environment is calm and unhurried with no rush to show tables, select between their all-day eating menu and night dinner menu which you’ll combine and match from in the course of the dinner service. Scallops are hand-dived for within the Orkney Islands, meat is from Yorkes of Dundee butchers, whereas honey is from producers Heather Hills.
Breakfast
Just like the dinner service, breakfast too is flawless, with a recent tackle morning classics, served à la carte this concise menu has one thing to please each the candy and savoury palate.
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery Whisky Explorer Expertise
Throughout my keep, the lodge organised a go to to Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery so I might attempt their new Whisky Explorer Expertise. This immersive tour introduces you to the heritage, craftsmanship, and flavours of Dewars Blended Scotch and Aberfeldy Single Malt.
Starting with an introductory movie and a go to to the heritage museum, adopted by a guided distillery tour revealing the whisky-making course of. You discover the 1898 warehouse buildings, beginning within the Outdated Filling Retailer to find out about casking and maturation, earlier than shifting to the Blenders Bothy to find Dewar’s double ageing and Double Double course of, enhanced by projection expertise that includes Grasp Blender Stephanie Macleod. A spotlight is the tutored whisky tasting, that includes 5 rigorously chosen drams, together with aged expressions and restricted editions.
Remaining Ideas
With its award-winning standing already secured, Pine Bushes units a brand new benchmark for boutique luxurious in Scotland. Guaranteeing to depart you feeling reconnected with nature and at one with your self, it presents the right escape within the coronary heart of rural Perthshire and we will verify first-hand when you test in you received’t need to depart!
Pine Bushes is included in our information to one of the best accommodations in Perthshire
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