Take in Perthshire, Scotland, in all its glory from Monzie Estate, a sprawling property with a castle dating back to 1634. The seat of Clan Crichton, Monzie Castle comprises some of the oldest parts of the building and invites guests to take a step back in time.

Mill House © Tracey Bloxham, Inside Story

Whether traveling on a romantic trip for two, a family vacation or a friends’ getaway, Monzie Estate offers charming cottages in a rural setting, allowing guests to better explore the estate’s grounds. Some of these “cottages,” of course, are more than cottages. Rather, they are historic, stone houses sure to wow almost as much as the castle.

For instance, East Gatehouse Lodge is an 18^th-century turreted lodge sure to make guests feel as if they occupy their own little castle. This lodge stands as guard at the entrance to Monzie and features original period details such as a spiral staircase and Edwardian bath. East Gatehouse Lodge includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms with its own secluded garden just beyond the arch of the lodge.

© Tracey Bloxham, Inside Story

Gardener’s Cottage, which sleeps up to four guests and is pet-friendly, dates back to 1874 and embodies that classic, contemporary, country-style getaway. Complete with a well-equipped kitchen and fireplace, this cottage is tucked away beyond the castle’s walled gardens.

Monzie Estate also offers lodging in secluded Brae Cottage, the five-bedroom Mill House and family-friendly Keppoch Cottage. Burnside is the estate’s most recent cottage, refurbished and boasting handcrafted interiors made on site.

© Tracey Bloxham, Inside Story

A stay at Monzie Estate means walking and taking in both the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. The castle also opens seasonally for tours in May and June, which must be reserved by emailing admin@monzieestate.com.

Monzie Estate sits a 45-minute drive away from Stirling, with Edinburgh and Glasgow easily accessible from there via public transportation links.