Day 1 – Rafting the River Tay & A Night Under the Stars
With Lulu the van packed (travelling light for once! 😄), we hit the road. The dogs were staying at home because of the heat—much to their disgust!

Our first stop was the local shop for the essentials: a cheeky bacon roll and a good cup of coffee. Fuelled up, we set off towards Aberfeldy. Of course, we managed to miss our turning… but we were too busy chatting to care! The unexpected 20-minute detour turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Windows down, music on, we cruised through breathtaking scenery—sun-kissed lochs, towering mountains, and lush green fields alive with farmers making hay while the glorious weather lasted. 🌞

Grandtully Station Campsite

We arrived at Grandtully Station Campsite, just outside Aberfeldy, around lunchtime. The site is also a popular destination for kayaking and canoeing, complete with a pay-and-display car park and dedicated shower and toilet facilities for paddlers. The place was buzzing when we arrived—members of the GB Junior Kayaking Team had set up camp for the weekend, training ahead of the upcoming European Championships on the River Tay. Before settling into our pitch, we headed straight over to The Rafting Company, where we’d booked an afternoon of white water rafting. After meeting the fantastic team—Tony, Benji and Scotty—we chatted about everything from rafting to skiing and Japan before getting suited up. Following a thorough safety briefing, we jumped aboard the minibus and headed upstream to begin our six-mile journey down the River Tay. Unfortunately, the recent spell of hot weather meant the river levels were lower than usual, so the “white water” element was a little optimistic… but Mother Nature calls the shots! 🌊

Ruairidh, Simone and I climbed into the raft alongside another group of five, led by Benji—our young but incredibly experienced guide, who’ll soon be swapping Scotland for the ski slopes of Japan. The river was alive with swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers and fellow rafting groups. The opening miles were relaxed, giving us plenty of time to soak up the stunning scenery, spot wildlife and cool off with a few refreshing swims in the river. Considering we were wrapped head-to-toe in wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets, those dips were more than welcome—it was hot, hot, hot! ☀️

The final three miles brought much more excitement. We tackled some fun rapids, spun around backwards, sideways and in circles, and even bounced off a few sizeable boulders just to test the raft’s durability! We eventually reached the finish with tired arms, sun-kissed faces and huge smiles. It was an absolutely brilliant experience, and one we’d thoroughly recommend. The Rafting Company were professional, friendly and made the whole experience unforgettable.

First Night in the Tent Box

Back at the campsite, check-in couldn’t have been easier. Everything—from our pitch number and Wi-Fi password to gate codes and shower information—had been emailed beforehand, although there was still a friendly member of staff on hand if needed. The campsite itself is small, peaceful and tucked away amongst the trees, giving it a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Every facility is less than a 30-second walk from your pitch, making it incredibly convenient.

Now for the exciting part… This was our very first night using our new tent box! 🏕️

Although we’d practised setting it up at home, this was its first proper adventure. After plenty of research, we settled on the Ventura 1.4 Extended Deluxe with Awning. We loved its safari-style design, generous living space and excellent build quality—all at a much more reasonable price than many competitors. Ventura’s customer service was also first-class, and their bundle deals offer excellent value.

If you fancy seeing it in action, have a look at our social media pages where we’ve shared a few short videos. We’ll also be publishing a full review in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out! 👀

Dinner at The Inn on the Tay

With camp set up, we enjoyed a hot shower in the campsite’s spotless, modern facilities before taking the two-minute stroll to The Inn on the Tay, where we met friends for dinner.

What an absolute gem of a place. Modern yet cosy, sophisticated yet welcoming, it’s perfectly positioned on the banks of the River Tay. The outdoor decking basks in the evening sunshine and offers incredible views as the river tumbles over the rocks below.

The staff couldn’t have been friendlier, the menu was packed with tempting options, and after a day on the river, the drinks list certainly hit the spot! 🍻 All three of us opted for the homemade Steak & Toulouse Sausage Pie, and it was every bit as good as we’d hoped—rich, hearty and absolutely delicious. As the sun slowly disappeared behind the hills, we happily chatted the evening away until we realised the staff were cleaning around us… That was probably our cue to leave! 😂 Back at camp, we sat outside for a while enjoying the peaceful sounds of fellow campers settling down for the night before finally testing out the tent box. Simone and I claimed the upstairs bedroom, while Ruairidh had the awning all to himself—a pretty good setup if you ask me!

Day 2 – Coffee, Chocolate & A Scenic Journey Home ☕🍫

After a cosy night’s sleep, we woke early to another glorious morning. The kayakers were already preparing to hit the water, while mountain bikers disappeared into the surrounding trails. We, on the other hand, took things at a much more relaxed pace.

One of our favourite discoveries at Grandtully Station Campsite was the little coffee hatch beside reception, serving freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries every morning. Pure magic. ☕🥐 Two coffees, one hot chocolate and three pain au chocolats later, we found ourselves sitting back in our camping chairs, soaking up the sunshine and topping up our Vitamin D before another beautiful day.

After getting washed, changed and packed up, we discovered just how quick and easy the tent box is to put away. With no rush to leave before midday, we left Lulu where she was and headed off to explore the local area on foot. A gentle 2.5-mile riverside walk brought us into the village of Grandtully and to our final stop—the famous Highland Chocolatier. From the outside it looks like a charming little chocolate shop… Step inside and you’ll discover an impressive luxury chocolate factory, gift shop, museum and café all rolled into one! 🍫 Fair warning—you may want your credit card handy. Some of the chocolates are as luxurious as their price tags, but they’re worth every penny. Simone certainly assures me the dark chocolate gingers are worth the investment!

Sadly, all good weekends must come to an end. We returned to collect Lulu and pointed her west towards home via a quick stop at Grizzly Beards Barber Shop for a tidy up for Stu & Ru. Honestly, why could this not be our local barber. The BEST barber I have been to in ages! Meticulously clean, great décor, awesome music and really knowledgeable barbers who took the time and effort to give you exactly what you came in for. I’ll be stopping in every time I’m passing from now on 😊 The journey back was another scorcher, so naturally we couldn’t resist one final stop for a cooling swim in the crystal-clear waters of Loch Lubnaig. A perfect end to another unforgettable Scottish adventure. 🚐❤️

A lovely weekend filled with sunshine, laughter, adventure and great food. If you’re looking for a short Scottish getaway that combines stunning scenery, outdoor activities and a relaxing campsite, Grandtully is well worth adding to your list. Until the next chapter… 👋