You just can’t Knock it
Luxurious Perthshire castle takes access-all-areas seriously
LOOKING for a holiday in the UK for someone with a disability? It’s not easy, but not impossible if you know where to look.
As I said last week, with a broken ankle, I was looking around for a place to go myself – moonboot, crutches, zimmer and all.
After a lot of research I came up with one that ticked all the boxes.
A hotel that takes accessall-areas seriously – lovely Knock Castle in Crieff.
Most of their spacious rooms have standalone showers that are easily accessed and there’s a lift to all floors of the hotel.
Even if you’re in a wheelchair you can get around this hotel, from check-in through to the rooftop restaurant.
There’s a ramp to their leisure facilities, the pool and thermal suite.
Their pool changing facilities have changing rooms that are large enough for wheelchair users and there’s also a disabled toilet available in the changing rooms.
It’s a really special place – luxurious yet very unstuffy and amazing value for money.
General manager and head chef Jason Henderson is one of Scotland’s top cooks and his degustation option – essentially a high-quality tasting menu – is out of this world.
Located on the western edge of Crieff, just an hour from Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, Knock Castle has panoramic views of the glorious Perthshire hills.
Just half-an-hour from Perth, there’s lots to do in this area and much of it’s disabled-friendly.
The staff at Knock Castle are terrific. Nothing’s too much trouble, all of which shows in their high level of repeat business.
Each of the 31 bedrooms is individually designed and have wonderful bathrooms, luxurious king-size beds and lots of little extras are the norm.
Not content with giving you mineral water by the bed, you have a choice of still or sparkling.
At breakfast you won’t know where to turn first – the choice of fresh produce is amazing.
Luxurious toiletries adorn the bathroom and I just love the little touches like fruit and fresh flowers in the room, and their flexible
approach to dining (you can eat off any of their three menus and mix and match).
Their bar menu has main courses for under a tenner, but for a real treat have the degustation at £69.95.
Using the finest fresh local Perthshire ingredients, you can expect a wonderful steak along with delights such as duck liver pate, crab tian, a mango sorbet, a cheeseboard and crème brulee.
As if that’s not enough, you then have coffee and handmade chocolates.
They can match wines to each course, and the wine list goes from £17 a bottle to several hundred.
Check out the website at www.knockcastle.com
A one-night spa break for two includes bed and breakfast, an hour’s treatment for each person and unlimited use of the leisure facilities.
Prices for this package start from £239 per couple staying in a Lomond double room with other room upgrades available.
Two nights for £389 (this excludes public holidays). Rooms start from a very reasonable £69.
Another nice option is the Atholl Centre in ever-popular Pitlochry which is fully geared-up for those with disabilities, including suitable rooms and a ground floor where everything is wheelchairaccessible. (www.athollcentre.org. uk)
To end on a practical note, if you’re aiming for a holiday while non-weight-bearing, I’d recommend using a knee walker.
Like a mini-scooter you kneel on, for ankle or foot injuries they’re a Godsend.
They allow you to balance your weight naturally and I found them much more useful than crutches, wheelchairs or zimmers.
You can hire them for as little as £25 a week.