Piperdam or Crieff Hydro

[HighlandWorrier]

Planning a break to one of these with a family group to celebrate a big birthday. Both have mixed reviews. Has anyone been to either / both, which would you recommend?

I've been to Crieff hydro several times, it's excellent.

We love Crieff Hydro

I'm a regular at the Crieff Hydro. Might not be great if someone in your party has mobility problems because if you're planning to go walking, the entire place is on a hill. If you like outdoor stuff then it's beyond perfect and the setting extraordinary.

A favourite spot of mine is the little cafe up at the golf course past the activity centre. They do fab bacon butties there.

The pool is tiny - so don't go thinking you'll get some miles in, but it's all very nice anyway.

It was the first place my children ever slept past 8am - so it will always be dear in my heart.

Haggis for breakfast is superb. Had brunch in the winter gardens a few weeks ago which is also a favourite.

I think I might just move in...

Love Crieff Hydro and go every couple of months to one of their lodge/houses. It isn’t what it used to be and could do with sprucing up, definitely, but I’ve been going since childhood and treasure the times there with DDs.

Both are lovely. Crieff has more to do on the grounds than Piperdam which may make it easier to have choices.

I've stayed at both and at Piperdam we had a hot tub at our lodge which was great for the adults to chill out

I’ve done both more than once. Both are grey but if you have kids then Crieff hydro is where to go. Piperdam has, I think, added some stuff since I was last there but they i don’t think they have anything like a kids club which Crieff hydro does.

But the Vegas lodges at piperdam (which sleep 14) are amazing and having a hot tub at your door is fab.

Crieff hydro

Been to both for big family do’s. Piperdam - great food, small swimming pool, golf course, near to Dundee city centre
Crieff hydro - I didn’t rate the food and it’s expensive, good sized swimming pool, lots of activities to do,

If you want to be all together all the time piperdam has good large cabins as well as smaller ones with hot tubs. Crieff is hard to get self catering as they are always offered to the previous years guest first so it’s mainly hotel rooms

I was underwhelmed by piperdam

Had a terrible stay at Creiff our room was ridiculously hot. I complained and they did nothing

What about Duchally instead? In a similar vein and just down the road from Gleneagles. www.duchally.co.uk/

Thanks all. Haven't heard of Duchally zigzag I will check that out.