Treetops, Tucker and Treatments!

Here at #TeamSmallCity we like to think we're up for most things so when Crieff Hydro asked if we'd like to swing through the treetops at their Aloft! adventure it seemed like the perfect excuse for an early Autumn #TeamSmallCity day out! 

We'd all been to Crieff Hydro for various reasons over the years but most involved the need for heels and handbag dancing! It's fair to say it's grown a lot and now boasts over 900 acres of land, 650 members of staff, 215 hotel rooms and 55 self catering lodges.

The hotel has it's own cinema, kids club, riding stables, two swimming pools, six restaurants, a spa and it's own activity centre, Action Glen. I'm sure there was probably a parttridge in a pear tree somewhere but I was too busy looking at my feet on a wire to check out the branches!  

And so it was that last Wednesday, with the sun shining especially for our outdoor adventure, we headed west to bonny Crieff and the adventure that awaited us. 

First up was the stuff of nightmares for a vertigo sufferer like me! I was the able bodied photographer on the ground shouting words of encouragement to Rhona and Holly (or the woose... however you like to look at it!)  

I did the induction but the dizziness got the better of me - I have to say the zipwires looked amazing fun and there's a bit of me that thinks I should've persevered. However, I didn't and so I'll handover to Rhona who was a tree-scaling superstar and kept our reputation as adventurers firmly in tact!

Rhona on The Treetops

"I'd probably describe myself as a relatively adventurous person; I'm quite happy getting muddy and I did a lot of outdoorsey activities growing up. I do however have a healthy respect for heights since I broke my ankle as a 9 year old jumping out of my tree house 20ft off the ground for a dare (turns out I was wrong, I can't fly). So when the opportunity to take part in the Aloft! course came along I was super excited. I've done a few obstacle races on the ground so couldn't wait to have a go up in the trees!

There are three courses to complete and a 2 hour window in which to complete them (although it's not a race, you can go as slowly as you like). The courses differ in height (8-12 metres off the ground), distance and physicallity so depending on the make up of your group you may not make it around all three. Groups of up to six are welcome and kids aged 7+ and over 145cm can also enjoy the fun. Our instructor was the awesome Stu who took us through the safety procedures before giving us a little practice on some low ropes. You are in control of a clever two-clip system which lets you carefully make your way around the course whilst always being attached to a wire.

Once up in the trees you advance through a series of obstacles including tightropes, rope bridges, high wires, cargo nets and see-saws before coming back down to earth via a 170m zip wire! By the end of the first course we'd been so busy having a laugh and posing for pics that we were now tight on time.

With Holly joining Nicki back on terra firma I decided to tackle the second course with Stu as my climbing buddy. Adrenaline pumping, I was raring to go and as I channelled my inner tarzan I soon dicovered that the second course is much more physically demanding than the first.  In fact, I reckon that if I hadn't been such a gym bunny over the past few months I may not have been able to finish.  

I absoloutely loved Aloft! and already have plans to return. I did slightly feel like I should apologise to the wildlife for all the screams, shrieks and squeals they had to endure but it's all part of the fun!"

Nicki on the Tucker

This is much more my style! After a hard time swinging through trees for Holly and Rhona (and neck cricking for me to be fair!) it was off to The Brasserie for a spot of lunch.   The Brasserie is located in the main hotel; if you've not been to Crieff Hydro for for a few years then you really should pop back in for a look. They have invested hugely in their facilities and the finish throughout the hotel is superb.  There is a wonderful, warm atmoshpere and everyone is super friendly.

The Brasserie looks out over the lawn and as we browsed the menu we were treated to families playing chess and a display of acrobatics from kids enjoying the trampoline.  

The menu is contemporary Scottish and, as you'd expect, uses ingredients sourced from across Scotland.  The head chef, Nelson, and his team prepare each and every dish from scratch and you can see the pride that goes into designing a menu full of flavour and creativity.

I started with the Heritage Tomato Salad with a Black Truffle Vinaigrette.  Fresh, delicious and light, it offered a variety of Scottish tomatoes that were as pretty as they were delicious. Holly went for the chicken confit croquettes, which were served with a gribiche sauce and gave a hearty, satisfying start to kick start her meal.   Rhona kept it simple with a delicious smoked salmon which was brought to life with a zesty grapefruit and radish accompaniment.

Of course, we were preparing for a massage and still had to drive home so it was no wine for us although a sneak peek at their substantial list had us all agreeing that an overnight later in the year could be a distinct possibility!

Hungry from their adventures, Rhona and Holly both went for the burgers and the look of sheer delight on their faces when they arrived confirmed they were v.pleased with their choice! Meaty, handmade beef burgers and extra applause for the rustic buns (a long discssion on why burgers should not be served in brioche ensued) and fresh, hot fries.  

I was in the mood for something lighter and so ordered the Crab Mayo with sour dough bread and watercress.  Sweet, fresh white crab meat was bound in a light mayo and served in a plentiful heap atop slices of lightly toasted bread.  However, I was so jealous of their hot fries I succumbed and ordered up a little side dish to help it along! A crab piece supper if you will!

Full, happy and with plenty of great chat caught up on it was time to head to the beauty rooms.  As our self-confessed beauty junkie, Holly will take over here.

Holly On The Treatments 

After doing our best mowgli impressions on Aloft! and demolishing a tasty two course meal, we were all feeling slightly achey and tired. The perfect way to wrap up this action packed day had to be a relaxing treatment at the beauty salon, and we headed along eager to get some pampering.  We were all booked in for a 25 minute ‘Perfect Back’ aromatherapy massage and couldn’t wait to lie down and chill.

My therapist, called Tuesday came into the waiting room and took me along to the relaxing, darkened treatment room for my massage.  She had laid out a range of aromatherapy oils and had a quick consultation with me, asking what I would like to get out of the treatment.  She discussed whether I would like to feel energised or relaxed, and as I felt that I'd expelled enough energy for the day, I opted for full blown relaxation without hesitation!

Once I was comfortable on the heated bed and covered with the cosy blanket, Tuesday began the massage.  The subtle aroma of the essential oils filled the air around me and the warmth of the oils and light massage pressure was comforting and super relaxing.  Tuesday also asked me to inhale the oils from her hand by placing her hand under the bed and asking me to inhale three times deeply. This really added to my relaxation and feeling of zen!

After the massage I felt refreshed and was offered a glass of water and given a handy booklet explaining what oils were used. Tuesday explained that she had chosen a relaxing blend of rosemary, lavender, black pepper and ginger oil and mentioned that my shoulders had a few knots in them (probably due to the fact I sit at a desk for most of the day, frantically typing on the keyboard with a hunched back) and suggested that I start using oils in my bath or in the shower as it could really help decrease this tension. Afterwards, she took me to the lovely relaxation room where I waited for Rhona and Nicki to finish their treatments.

The oils that were used for the massage were from Aromatherapy associates and smelled amazing. I very nearly bought a bottle before leaving but had to remind myself that I hadn’t even got any Euros for my holiday the following week and I really needed travel insurance, so I reluctantly resisted the urge! The spa was without a doubt the perfect end to an absolutely fantastic day and despite only being a 25 minute treatment, it was extremely relaxing, effective and luxurious.

A Perfect End In Winter Garden

There really is only way way to end such a perfect day... Stewart Towers Ice Cream in the Winter Garden!  We lounged around, had a chat with our friend May and soaked up the bright, sunny end to our day out in Crieff. 

On the drive home we all agreed that we'd found a perfect mix for our wee team: Adventure for Rhona, good food for Nicki and a massage for the beauty junkie Holly.  We're already thinking a sleepover at Christmas could be on the cards; afterall it would be rude not to give that wine list a bit of a go!

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Crieff Hydro Hotel offered us a Team Day Out in exchange for an honest review.  Prices for Aloft! are from £28 and 25 minute spa treatments are from £35. 

For more adventure info click through to Action Glen's dedicated website | www.actionglen.com.