Laighwood, set amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland, is very much a working hill farm comprising 6,000 acres of rich Perthshire grazing land with heather hills and loch.

Perthshire was a favourite location of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, especially the Dunkeld and Laighwood areas. Autumn is a particularly beautiful season in Perthshire and many have compared it favourably with the magnificent 'New England in the Fall'. The following is an extract from Queen Victoria's Scottish Diaries dated Friday 5th October 1866 .....

" A brighter morning, though still hazy. The sun came out and the mist seemed dispersing. At twenty minutes to one started with the Duchess and Louise, the two ladies following, for Loch Ordie. Several times during the drive the mist regained its mastery, but then again the sun struggled through, blue sky appeared and the mist seemed to roll away and the hills and woods to break through. We drove by Craig Lush and Butterstone Lochs and then turned by the Riechip burn - up a very steep hill, finely wooded, passing by Riechip and Raemore, two of the Duke of Athole's shooting lodges, both let. After the last the road opens upon a wide moor (or 'muir') for a short while, before entering the plantation and woods of Loch Ordie. Here quite close to the lodge, on the grass, we took luncheon. The Duchess had had a hot venison pie brought, which was very acceptable. The sun had come out and it was delightfully warm, with a blue sky and bright lights, and we sat sketching for some time. The good people have made a cairn amongst the trees where we had tea last year ...."

Riechip became a shooting lodge and has now been converted to provide luxurious self-catering accommodation within the Laighwood estate. Trout fishing, shooting and stalking can be arranged for visitors in any of our properties.