The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Couple enjoy their luxury break close to home
An Angus couple treated themselves to three nights of luxury just half a mile from their own house to support the Covid-hit local economy.
Denis Monks and partner Carmin Dow booked into the Hideaway Experience near Auchterhouse as a treat, to beat the Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions which prevented them from venturing outside Angus.
The community-minded couple even got a Birkhill dogsitter to look after their pooch and ordered meals from another nearby business.
Former Michelin worker Denis, 59, said: “We had a lodge booked in October and then another one this week but because of the Tier 3 restric tions we couldn’t go.
“Carmin had time off her work and we saw on the community Facebook page that they had availability, so we thought we would give it a go.
“There was no long journey... It was worth every penny and I think it’s good if you can support local businesses, especially through this.”
Hideaway Experience owner Caroline Millar, who set up the Balkello Farm business with husband Ross in 2005, said: “Our previous record for the nearest guests was from Bridgefoot, which is just a mile and a half away, so this has easily topped that.”
The business was closed completely from March to July but had been busy since the restrictions eased.
“At the moment, we are having to wait week to week to see if the Tier status will change, so it is ver y shor t notice and difficult to bring in new bookings from just Angus.
“We refunded £14,000 last week in cancellations, although many people are moving their dates forward, which is great.”