Blair Atholl River tilt park treetops

Our experience here was deeply unpleasant. The owners were hostile, and it felt like the park owners were asking for more money at every turn. I’d avoid the place now.

The location is stunning, but our experience was awful. We first saw the site while on holiday in the area and phoned Stuart Richardson to ask about viewing lodges for sale. He directed us to his son Daniel, who showed us around the next day. Daniel seemed friendly and genuine, and we fell for a lodge overlooking the river. Both widowed in our 40s after raising our children, we were excited by the idea of buying a small place together for retirement. Daniel said someone else was due to view it the next day, but we could hold it with a “fully refundable fee” if we later chose not to buy. After checking with family members, he asked for £5,000. We paid without hesitation, trusting what seemed like a friendly, honest family business. We returned to see the lodge and site, but learned there would be upfront costs in addition to the site rent. With economic uncertainty after the election, and the need to sell a family home to help fund the purchase, it felt too risky, so we told Daniel we wouldn’t proceed. He seemed understanding and said the money would be back in a couple of days. Weeks of unanswered calls to Daniel and Reception followed. Stuart Richardson eventually told us his son had been busy repairing roofs and that they needed our bank details to issue the refund. We sent them, but a week later there was still no money. We kept phoning and emailing over the next month without a reply. Many weeks later, Stuart said they now needed written proof that we were pulling out. We emailed that too, yet still weren’t refunded. It took a Scottish solicitor and the threat of court action to get our £5,000 back, months later. Even then, Daniel asked the solicitor to obtain our bank details again and caused more delay. Scumbags!

The site is beautiful to look at, and the location is lovely. But the owners’ attitude and lack of respect for the people living there overshadow that. I’ve heard the same view echoed around the village. It’s worrying to see the park expanding its development and facilities, because more people may buy into its beauty and then find their expectations of a good relationship with the owner aren’t met.

The river view was gorgeous, but we weren’t impressed by the Airbnb property itself. It didn’t feel cosy or especially comfortable, and getting there along the very narrow road was scary.