Dunkeld Country Estate

We told the kitchen staff multiple times that we were both vegan, and they assured us they could cater for us. But at the first dinner they completely forgot, then hurriedly made something while everyone else ate. By the time it arrived, the others had finished, and we got canned tomatoes on overcooked pasta. There was no dessert for us either. We hoped breakfast would go better, but they forgot again. Not one plant milk option was available, so we couldn't have coffee, tea, or cereal. Then they offered us trout for breakfast, which made it clear they didn't know what vegan means. For a fancy place that knew in advance we were coming, having no plant milk at all is unacceptable, especially with vegans, lactose intolerant people, and health conscious diners around. Spar can make vegan brownies and cakes, so this place has no excuse. Don't claim to cater to vegans when you clearly don't. There are over ten thousand edible plants in the world, yet this fine establishment couldn't put together one decent meal for us.

Dunkeld is still a lovely place to stay, with gorgeous grounds and enjoyable horse riding. But our room's cleanliness and the service disappointed us. Housekeepers left dishes unwashed, we had to ask for the shower and toilet to be cleaned properly, and we had to request more linen for a six sleeper. These are things that should have been taken care of without us having to ask. We hope the next visit is better.

Whenever we hear we might get to visit Dunkeld, we smile for days. It's a chance to swap busy city life for fly fishing, woodland walks, wildlife spotting, and the fresh early morning air. I wish we could come more often. Since my first stay at Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate in 2004, it has felt like a home away from home. The staff are always friendly and helpful, the rooms we've stayed in have been consistently excellent, and the estate is a pleasure to spend time at. Special thanks to Simon for always being available and going the extra mile to help us.

The area is beautiful, which makes the disappointing experience a pity. Our room smelled stale and wasn't very clean, and the bathroom needed some care. The restaurant food was terrible: I ordered my steak rare, but half of it was well done, and the potato croquettes were more like a soggy mashed potato patty. I won't be rushing back.