Blairgowrie and Dunkeld are two charming towns in Scotland, each offering its own unique appeal to visitors. Dunkeld, located along the banks of the River Tay, exudes a tranquil ambiance with its historic cathedral and quaint streets lined with independent shops and cafes. Both towns provide a glimpse into Scotland's rich history and natural beauty.

On the other hand, Blairgowrie, known as the "Berry Capital of Scotland," is nestled in the heart of Perthshire and boasts lush landscapes perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the nearby Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens.

However if it’s sports you’re after, you’ve hit the jackpot, especially when it comes to golf! Blairgowrie is the gateway to Glenshee which caters for year-round sports including skiing, golfing, mountain biking, abseiling, hang gliding and paragliding; and nearby Coupar Angus, and its surrounding areas provide a golfers paradise where they’ll find a diverse range of courses that promises an enjoyable and memorable experience for all who visit.

GOLFING HOLIDAY PACKAGES AT THE BUDGET FRIENDLY RED HOUSE HOTEL, PERTH & KINROSS

This spot is a haven for golf enthusiasts who can discover a selection of charming and challenging courses that cater to players of all levels. From beautifully landscaped fairways to breathtaking views of the rolling hills and lush greenery, the golf courses in this region offer a unique and tranquil setting for a day on the greens.

A local hotel in Coupar Angus, The Red House Hotel, has just been nominated once again in the annual Scottish Golf Tourism under the Best Budget Friendly Golf Hotel category.

Red House won the title in 2016, and was nominated again for the past three years.

I went along to check it out.

The Red House Hotel is well known for its budget friendly golfing stays and have formed great partnerships with several local golf courses including Forfar, Blairgowrie (Rosemount and Lansdowne) and Alyth.

For those looking to combine their love for golf with a budget-friendly hotel stay, the Red House Hotel is top of the list. They offer extremely affordable rates and provide comfortable accommodations, convenient access to nearby golf courses, and special golfing packages.

We stayed in a Family Room, 1 x single bed and 1 x double bed £150.00 per room including breakfast.

Golfing packages start from around £145.00pp which includes a round of golf, dinner, bed and breakfast.

Our family room was extremely spacious, spotlessly clean, crisp white linen bedsheets and a well appointed bathroom with over the bath shower.

The room was quiet even although the double balcony doors over looked the carpark area and the blinds on the windows allowed for decent black out for sleeping.

In the room you will find a flat screen TV and a tea and coffee station with complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. Strong wi-fi signal is also included. The room was cosy providing a peaceful retreat on a budget.

The restaurant and bar area are in a separate building from the accommodation but less than 1 minute walk from one building to the next. The reception area is warm and welcoming and the staff are all extremely friendly and helpful.

You’ll enjoy your dining experience within a conservatory setting which allows for an abundance of natural light to filter through creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The menu features strong robust and trusty British classic dishes such as Curry and rice served with naan bread and poppadoms, Steak Pie with puff pastry topping and veg, Mixed Grill with the works and Lasagne with garlic bread.

Like many restaurants, the specials board serves as an exciting canvas for chefs to showcase their creativity and offer diners unique dishes that go beyond the regular menu offerings. Off the specials board, I chose the Lentil Koftas (£8.50) but I absolutely loved how they had Mince and Tatties available too!

The Chicken Liver Pate with toasted brioche and spiced fruit chutney (£7.95) was well portioned, rich and creamy.

When it came to our mains, old school main dishes, comes to mind. These mains are decent in their simplicity and ability to satisfy a hearty appetite, with well-balanced flavours and hearty ingredients.

My Sirloin Steak Garni (£28.50) with slow roasted tomato, onion rings, mushrooms and mixed veg was a massive portion to get through. My steak was superbly cooked, medium rare and I could not fault it.

My dining partners dish of the Breast of Chicken (£16.50) stuffed with skirlie, wrapped in streaky bacon and coated with a whisky and tarragon cream sauce with veg could have done with 5 minutes under the grill to crisp up the bacon and add some colour and caramelisation, and the sauce had very little tarragon flavouring but overall, very tasty.

Still extremely full from dinner the previous evening, we decided to skip breakfast. Full Scottish Breakfasts are available and they do look seriously scrumptious.

The Red House Hotel caters to a lot of locals and visitors alike. They have a large function suite ideal for conferences, weddings, birthdays etc, squash courts, a snooker hall and with a large carpark area and 20 rooms, you can see why its a popular place.

Whether you're a hill walker, a history buff, a novice golfer or a seasoned pro, staying at the budget-friendly Red House Hotel allows you to enjoy your passion, whatever it may be.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE RED HOUSE HOTEL

• This is a budget hotel, don’t expect luxury

• Free parking

• There is no lift upstairs to the rooms

• They can cater for dietary requirements

• They are not dog friendly

The Red House Hotel, Station Rd, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie PH13 9AL www.red-house-hotel.co.uk

TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Adele is a writer, reviewer, judge and panelist living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events),  is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards.

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