Thimblewynd

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Thimblewynd Cottage, Dunning
Review by: - Emma Brown

“You have to go, the cottage is beautiful, and Dunning is a hidden gem of Perthshire,” my sister said after coming back from her second stay at Thimblewynd cottage. So, I logged onto the website to see what all the fuss was about. With phrases such as ‘luxury getaway,’ and a Scotsman award for ‘9 best Air BnBs in Scotland with a hot tub,’ I had high hopes…

We had a straightforward journey from our home in Ayrshire through to Dunning. Only around an hour’s drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and 15 minutes from Perth, Dunning itself is less than 10 minutes’ drive off the A9, although it felt much more secluded. We easily found our home for the weekend, in a row of terraced houses, thanks to the clear instructions from the owner, and check in was seamless using the key safe. Daisy, our four-year-old Labrador cross golden retriever, was delighted to get in and have a sniff around. She was even more enthusiastic when we went out to the garden, exploring her playground while my husband Phil and I eyed up the hammock and the brightly coloured woodfired hot tub.

As we unpacked, we discovered just how well equipped the cottage was. In the kitchen there were essentials such as tea bags, ketchup, and even a bottle of bubbly waiting in the fridge!  With the record player, an abundance of logs to keep the log fire inside or wood burning hot tub outside going, smart TV, and plenty of books and board games, we knew we’d have no problem keeping ourselves entertained over the weekend.

The weather forecast wasn’t looking great for the rest of the weekend, so we made the most of the dry evening. Phil was delighted to find that he could fill the hot tub quickly as there is a hot water hose! While filling, I read the helpful welcome pack, which gave suggestions for walks and eating out, as well as a bit on the history of Dunning. It also contained a sensible warning to check the temperature of the hot tub with an elbow test before getting in.

In my excitement to get into the hot tub, I leapt in… and quickly realised the benefit of the elbow test. I can confirm the hot water tap does indeed work well! There is also a cold-water tap, so after topping up with cold water, Phil and I were both soon relaxing in the hot tub enjoying our lovely surroundings.

Daisy, meanwhile, was enjoying a frozen Kong toy in the garden. Although it was daylight when we used the hot tub, we could see a sign directing us to fairy lights, which were strung across the garden. We wandered down to the local park, which leads on to a golf course. Daisy quickly spotted a family playing with their dog, and the family gave us tips on good walks in the village, while they entertained Daisy with their dogs and a ball.

Both the cottage’s website and welcome pack mentioned the local pub, The Kirkstyle Inn (thekirkstyleinn.co.uk), which we had pre-booked for dinner. It also had a number of great reviews in the cottage’s guest book. Despite the village seeming calm and quiet, the pub was packed and had a great atmosphere. The staff were immediately welcoming to Daisy, bringing a bowl of water, and asking if they could give Daisy a biscuit. (Can you imagine Daisy’s face if I’d said no?)

One of the benefits to our evening was that we were sitting at a large square table, so there was a perfect Labrador-sized space under the table, keeping Daisy from getting in people’s way – although she kept a watchful eye on the waitresses to see if they were going to bring her any more biscuits. Phil and I both had pizzas. The pub is just a stone’s throw away from the cottage, so not far to wander home.

Despite the cottage being on the Main Street, it is such a quiet village there was no noise through the night. The bedroom upstairs was huge, with an en suite shower room and lovely wooden shutters on the windows. After a restful night’s sleep, on Saturday we decided to tackle one of the walks recommended by the locals the night before, ‘the den’, which we worked out was part of a longer walk detailed on the Dunning Community Trust’s website. 

We followed the route for the Historic Dunning walk, which took us past some Dunning landmarks, such as the Thorn Tree, which commemorates the burning of Dunning by Jacobite troops in 1716, although the tree has been replaced a few times. We also went into the grounds of St Serf’s Church. Inside is the 9th century Dupplin Cross, a carved Pictish Stone. Unfortunately, the church was closed at the time. It’s also the spot where St Serf slew a dragon.

After our history lesson, we proceeded with the walk. Following the guidance to go through a field, we stopped at the ‘Beware - bulls in field’ notice. As we discussed whether we should find an alternative route, a local passer-by told us not to worry, they were friendly. We took our lives in our hands and skirted around the edge of the field, Daisy on a short lead, however the Highland cows were happy just to watch us from afar (thankfully!) Once into the woodland area where the main part of the walk was, Daisy enjoyed her time off lead, and had a few paddles in the river. 

Although we referred to the website guide, we could easily just have followed the signposts and arrows for the route in the wooded area. The walk was more challenging in places than we expected based on its ‘moderate’ difficulty level on the website. There was a steep flight of steps, which Daisy bounded up effortlessly and there were also narrow paths with steep drops to the side. The reward for climbing these steps was the views – one over the hills and one looking down into Dunning on the way home.

The rain came on when we were almost back, so after a shower, we headed out for lunch. I’d messaged Broadslap Fruit Farm in the morning asking if they were dog friendly, and received a prompt, friendly reply advising me where the dogs were allowed on site. Only a few minutes’ drive from the cottage, we browsed the gift shop, and Daisy put on her best puppy dog eyes for the staff member, who delighted her with a biscuit. We then had a lovely lunch in the snug - an area with five or six tables which was dog friendly. We didn’t go fruit picking, although the farm was gearing up for pumpkin picking season at the time, which I’m sure would make a great day out, and dogs are allowed into the tunnels if they stay at the end, and are kept on a lead.

Back at the cottage, we retreated to the cosy comforts of the living room. Phil got started with the log fire, and I got started with my book! Daisy opted for a nap. Once the fire was going, we spent a lovely, relaxing afternoon listening to the rain hammering down outside, knowing we were comfy and warm inside.

There is even a basket of blankets should you need them. Like the rest of the house, the living room is very homely, with lots of subtle decorative touches. We put a few records on and the atmosphere was extremely chilled. Daisy enjoyed alternating between her bed and the rug in front of the fire. We had a lovely meal at the cute dining table in the living room, with candles, the fire, and the records playing.

On Sunday morning, Daisy and I were up early. I enjoyed some time relaxing on the hammock outside, which was in a covered area. The garden seemed a lot bigger than I’d imagined. The benefit of the garden is there are so many different sections, two of which are covered, so we could enjoy the garden even in the rain, which there is definitely a high chance of getting in Scotland!

With one more local site to visit, Daisy and I headed off to Maggie Wall’s Monument, where allegedly Maggie Wall was burnt as a witch in 1657. Although we got soaked in a downpour, we passed many a cyclist making use of the quiet country road on the way back. The walk to the monument was on a country road with no pavement, so I kept Daisy on a short lead in case we had to nip onto the grass verge quickly. After a couple of hours drying out at the cottage, we packed up and said goodbye to the lovely quaint, country cottage that is Thimblewynd. 

The owner Maggie was really helpful throughout the booking process and in the lead up to our stay, and also promptly replying via a text when we couldn’t work out how to drain the hot tub to add some more hot water! (Turned out there was a drain underneath the hot tub). We enjoyed exploring somewhere completely new. The local businesses we visited with Daisy were so welcoming to dogs, and with lovely walks from the doorstep, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Thimblewynd and Dunning to couples with dogs.

Thimblewynd Cottage, review by Emma Brown and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 74.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine