Balhousie Farm

Anne made our first two nights in Scotland a lovely start. She was friendly and did her best to make us comfortable, and the setting feels wonderfully remote, with wild animals and tame ducks around. Nearby villages are still close enough for dinner and drinks. The location really suited us. Our bedroom was cosy, with a large bathroom that had both a bath and shower. Soap and shampoo were provided, and there was tea and coffee in the room. Breakfast went well beyond what we expected, with cereal, juice, yoghurt, fresh fruit and toast, plus a menu of hot dishes to choose from. The one small drawback was that we couldn't lock the bedroom door when we went out during the day.

We felt at home thanks to Anne, who was a very friendly hostess. The room and the rest of the house were spotless, and everything worked properly. Breakfast was great, especially the fresh duck eggs and three kinds of sausage. St Andrews is around 15-20 minutes away, though the narrow Scottish roads and lanes on the drive are worth being ready for.

The rooms are spacious and kept to a very high standard, and the setting is peaceful. Ann and Jim were welcoming and easy to approach whenever we needed help or had a question. We especially enjoyed the breakfasts, including the duck eggs. It's a brilliant base for visiting the attractions, and we'd be glad to return for another three-night stay.

The peaceful farm setting made this a great fit for us, and the views from the bedroom, over the little hill and the duck pond, could bring out your poetic side. Green fields stretch all around, yet St Andrews is only about a 10-mile drive away, which worked well for our daily trips. It was the only good budget option we found nearby. Parking was free, safe and plentiful. Anne is wonderful and clearly puts thought into making guests comfortable. She left cookies, coffee, milk and sugar in the room each day and kept our water topped up. The bathroom had toiletries, a shower and a bath, and the room had charging socket cubes that came in handy when we needed to charge more than two devices. The couple who run the B&B live on the property, and the front entrance stays open until midnight, which made a late check-in easier. I did feel uneasy at first about the lack of a bedroom lock. There was a loose bolt that could release the main bedroom door, and no key or way to secure our belongings. Anne explained that there are only two guest bedrooms, so there wouldn't be more than two families or groups staying at once. Still, there were no hooks behind the bathroom doors for hanging clothes. The front door also had no guest key and stayed open until midnight. We didn't come back later than that, so it wasn't an issue for us. Since it's in the middle of a farm, there's no restaurant or cafe nearby. Stock up before coming back. The single-track road can also make driving out for food difficult in winter, fog or darkness.