Blairgowrie 9.5 miles. Originally part of the Kinpurnie Estate, Ralston Bothy is situated on the outskirts of Newtyle Village within the beautiful Strathmore Valley. The Bothy, along with its secluded and enclosed garden, and Apple & Plum orchard, is surrounded by agricultural land providing a delightful Scottish countryside setting. On entering the property you are immediately struck by a two seater sofa and two single chairs and easy to use log fire, an ideal place to relax and unwind after your days activities. Choose a board game or a book for some down time, or plan your next adventure using the wifi connection and the information on the Bothy Location Board situated in the entranceway. Prepare a lovely meal using local produce from the world famous butcher in Newtyle, Mr James Pirie & sons, in the well-equipped country style kitchen to be served at the dining table or taken outside onto the decking where it can be enjoyed whilst watching the spectacular sunset filter through the nearby woodland. Newtyle Post Office & Village Store is only a mile from the Bothy and stocks most day to day items, ensuring that you never run out of anything. Spend a magical evening star gazing or settle in the hot tub with a refreshing drink overlooking the orchard and secluded garden. At day end what could be better than a lovely hot rain shower in the large spacious bathroom before retiring to spend a comfortable night in the sumptuous bothy double bed as you reflect on the day’s memories. The Bothy is surrounded by interesting, and easily accessible, disused railway lines (first railway in the North of Scotland 1831-1863) and woodland walks which are managed by the Newtyle Path Network or challenge yourselves as you venture to the top of Kinpurnie Hill and its lookout tower. From here you can witness the most spectacular views of the Valley of Strathmore with the distant Cairngorms in the background. If you prefer to cycle, the Bothy provides storage for bikes. If you don’t have a bike, but you would quite like the opportunity to try a local cycle route, you can hire electric bikes from The Cycle Hub in the nearby town of Coupar Angus. There are plenty of cycle friendly roads directly from the Bothy and a number of popular cycle routes further afield which cater for all abilities. It is a great way to see the beautiful scenery and wildlife as you travel along the various routes. If you feel a little more adventurous why not visit Piperdam Leisure Resort near Dundee and Willowgate Activity Centre near Perth who both provide a number of outdoor and indoor activities from quad bike trails to kayaking tours on the River Tay. Three nearby golf courses, Alyth Golf Club, Strathmore Golf Centre and Glenisla Golf Course will all challenge your golfing skills. Distillery tours and tastings are very popular, with Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry and Dewars Distillery in Aberfeldy both full of character. The closest place for a casual meal, lunchtime or evening, is The Ardler Tavern which is only 2 miles from the Bothy. This traditional tavern provides freshly prepared meals using local produce and has a tempting collection of local ales to sample as well as a number of other refreshments to enjoy. Strathmore Valley is steeped in history and well worth exploring. Glamis Castle, the home of the Earl of Strathmore and where the Queen Mother was born, is a must to visit as is Scone Palace near Perth, where all the Scottish Kings were crowned. Pictish Stones at nearby Meigle and the village of Kirriemuir, where novelist JM Barrie the creator of the much loved children’s character Peter Pan was born. The city of Dundee with the newly completed V&A Museum and Captain Scott’s famous ship, the ‘Discovery’, are just a short drive away. Ralston Bothy is perfectly placed for you to enjoy your time here in the truly wonderful Valley of Strathmore no matter what your interests are. EPC Rating: Band D