We were looking for a night away not too far from home for a birthday treat and a pre Christmas break. I had read of The Taybank in the lovely town of Dunkeld on social media but also in some newspaper articles and it had therefore been on my list of places to visit for a while. Dunkeld is a little over an hours drive from Edinburgh but feels a world away, plus its home to the Aran Bakery, which is a must visit whenever you are there! Naturally we kicked the weekend off with some coffees and cookies from there, sat in their cosy bakery watching the world go by!

I digress, The Taybank unsurprisingly sits on the banks of the River Tay, it was once owned by Dougie McLean, and was home to his weekly trad music sessions, which still continue to this day.

The hotel has been lovingly refurbished to a high cosy standard, it only has five rooms in the main hotel, but has two apartments as well. Our room was number 5 and in the attic. A sizeable but cosy room decked with sheepskins and hygge in every corner! We also had the largest bathroom I’ve seen and a small annex room, probably for children… or maybe for those who snore!

Before dinner we took the opportunity to channel our inner scandis and spend time in the outside sauna, all while sipping on some chilled fizz. The hotel in conjunction with Haar Saunas have set up a small area down by the river with a mobile sauna, cold water plunge pool and fire pit. Maybe a mad thing to do in Scotland in December, but it was festive, fun and damn cold!

Once suitably chilled we sat down for dinner in their lovely first floor dining room over looking the river. Being situated in Scotlands Larder, the food at the Taybank is home-grown and locally sourced that changes with the seasons.

We started our meal with a little Old Fashioned while we surveyed the menu and also ordered a few ‘nibbles’ of Tempura Rainbow Chard with Leek Emulsion and Pig Head Nuggets with a Sauce Gribiche. Thankfully we were hungry as these were big nibbles however the tempura chard was a taste revelation (I could have had more!) and the nuggets were meaty and crispy.

For starters we kept it fishy with Scallops, Creamed Leeks, Bacon Jam and Fennel and a bowl of Shetland Mussels with a Lost Orchard Cider Cream Sauce. The Scallops cut like butter and the Bacon Jam gave a sweet salty note to the dish. I am not a fan of mussels, but they did appear to go down well, and I did have a dip in the sauce which I can confirm was very tasty!

Again we went matching on the mains keeping it to game. A Venison and Pheasant Ravioli with a Game Broth and Winter Vegetables and Vension Loin and Haunch with Artichoke, Celeriac and Red Cabbage. The ravioli was packed with meat and flavour, the broth was light but also flavoursome and for the Venison no complaints where it was perfectly cooked with a tasty sauce.

Now, this is where we probably could have stopped, or should have but didn’t! Every dish was so tasty we simply had to have dessert. We went for the Apple Galette with Cinnamon and Honey Ice Cream and a household favourite of Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch and Creme Fraiche Ice Cream. The Galette was the just the right amount, fresh from the apples but sweet from the cinnamon and ice cream. The Sticky Toffee Pudding, well you can never go wrong with, sticky butterscotchy goodness.

After all that we retired to the bar for a nightcap, we managed one before the volume of food took its toll!

Next morning our breakfast hamper was delivered to our room, and with check out not until 12pm there is plenty of time for a long lie and to enjoy breakfast in your room, the dining room or if you are feeling brave down by the river! We choose in our room!

The Hamper is quite the feast with greek yogurt, granola and fruit compote, cured meat and cheese, orange juice and some tasty croissants from the Aran Bakery. There is a kettle with tea and coffee in the room with a little flask of milk. A good start to the day, and a lovely way to end a great stay. I look forward to visiting The Taybank again, perfect for a night away but also great to pop in for lunch or dinner when in the area. Another great addition to the Scottish hospitality scene.