Business of the Month: Luxury Scotland
Looking for a relaxing holiday pampered in a luxury hotel?
Luxury Scotland is a group of 30 of the finest, luxury hotels in Scotland with five hotels located around various locations of the North Coast 500. In these properties you will experience some of the very best of the Scottish Highlands; unparalleled natural beauty, tradition, romance, authenticity and Highland hospitality, plus outstanding food and service.
This month we spoke to Dorothy, CEO of Luxury Scotland to tell us more!
Photo: Dorothy CEO of Luxury Scotland
1. Hello Dorothy. Firstly, can you please tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved with Luxury Scotland?
I studied Hospitality at university, and I have been fortunate enough to spend my entire career working in the Scottish hospitality industry. Prior to joining Luxury Scotland last summer, I worked at Gleneagles for 17 years, so I was very aware of the organisation and the wonderful network of properties which it represented.
2. Why should guests choose to stay at a Luxury Scotland property during their NC500 Adventure?
Luxury Scotland properties represent the very finest hospitality in Scotland. Many of the properties are individually owned and managed, so they offer a unique and personalised experience for their guests.
3. Could you tell us more about each property?
Rocpool Reserve, Inverness
Rocpool Reserve has a great location in the heart of Inverness, just a few minutes’ walk from the castle. With its grand portico and iconic pillars, it looks like a diminutive version of a Greek temple. Inside there are 11 ultra decadent rooms – Hip, Chic, Decadent and extra Decadent, where you can wrap yourself in luxury in an emperor size bed and relax in either a bath or in a hot tub on the balcony and enjoy the view over the River Ness. The restaurant, Chez Roux, inspired by the culinary genius of Albert Roux offers classic French cuisine with a modern Scottish twist, using the finest local produce. Many guests enjoy starting their trip by taking the Sleeper train from London to Inverness and enjoying a stay at Rocpool Reserve before continuing their trip in a self-drive or chauffeur drive car around the NC500.
Photos: Rocpool Reserve
The Torridon, near Torridon
Set in 58 acres of private parkland, the main house at Torridon was built in 1887 as a Highland shooting lodge and enjoys a spectacular location at the head of a sea loch, Loch Torridon. There are 18 luxurious bedrooms at this multi award-winning hotel, which are individually designed with a mix of contemporary and traditional furnishings. The Torridon is where luxury, adventure and hospitality combine for an unforgettable experience of North West Scotland.
There are two dining options you can choose from: The AA three rosette Restaurant 1887 offers seasonally inspired dishes using local produce including Torridon’s own Highland beef and Tamworth pigs, as well as an abundance of herbs, fruits and vegetables from the hotel’s own kitchen garden. The Torridon Inn offers the best of Scottish pub food and a great selection of Scottish ales.
The whisky bar offers more than 365 whiskies and 100 premium gins
Complimentary activities offered to guests include archery, kayaking and guided walks.
Photos: The Torridon
Glenmorangie House, near Tain
I am delighted to announce that Glenmorangie House has recently joined Luxury Scotland. Set in a stunning location amongst the rolling barley fields of Easter Ross on the east coast of the North Coast 500, Glenmorangie House lives up to its name and offers ‘Tranquillity Restored.’ If you book a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package, a tour and tasting at The Glenmorangie Distillery is included in the price of your stay.
As well as being perfect for walkers, located 2 minutes’ walk from the coast, it’s a great base for enjoying some Highland golf, with local gems such as Tain and Golspie and world-famous courses located close by.
Find out more, from John Wilson, head chef of Glenmorangie House here!
Photos: Glenmorangie House
Boath House, near Nairn
This small but elegant historic house was built on the ruins of a tower dating back to the 1400’s. It has been lovingly restored by the Matheson family and is conveniently located just 7 miles from Inverness airport. It is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of the Castle and Whisky trails, and with 30 golf courses within an hour’s drive, it is perfectly located.
Boath House is a family-run Restaurant with Rooms which has won many awards for its food. The 22 acres of gardens are simply stunning and provide a tranquil atmosphere for guests to relax. There is a 2 -acre wildflower meadow and a 2- acre walled garden which provides much of the produce used in the kitchens. A new, informal garden café, The Kale Yard, nestled in the walled garden, opened in the summer of 2018 and serves a wood fired oven garden to plate food offering. The library hosts a small and intimate Whisky snug where guests can enjoy more than 70 different malts.
The accommodation is very flexible and in addition to the rooms in the main house, there are cottages which are particularly suitable for families. Boath House features handmade furniture, made by local craftsmen/women and a large collection of local, contemporary Scottish art, much of which can be purchased.
Photos: Boath House
4. Are there any unique experiences our NC500 visitors can get involved in during their stay?
There are numerous unique experiences for NC500 visitors to enjoy.
Rocpool Reserve
When staying at Rocpool, I would recommend enjoying a cruise on Loch Ness. Loch Ness by Jacobite operate five-star short cruises on Loch Ness, including a variety of options from cruise and castle to cruise only.
For the shopaholics, a short drive outside of Inverness you can visit Campbell’s of Beauly, which was established in 1858 and is a Royal Warrant holder. It is an iconic, privately owned, family run country tailor and outfitter of lambswool and cashmere knitwear and tweed.
Torridon
The countryside around Torridon is ideal for mountain biking, with stunning views and quiet roads. The Torridon has bikes suitable for all ages and can arrange for qualified instructors to take you on a route to suit your ability.
From October to March you can enjoy a star-gazing experience with local astronomer, Stephen Mackintosh, who will share a wealth of knowledge about the night sky during a stargazing lecture in The Torridon Hotel followed by an excursion into the surrounding highlands and a post excursion Q&A session, with a selection of complimentary photographs taken by Stephen during the trips out.
Available for daily hire, guests of The Torridon can enjoy the adrenaline rush of a Morgan Car Experience, getting behind the wheel of the longest running production vehicle in the world to negotiate the winding roads of the NC500. There is also an electric car charging point at Torridon.
Photo: Torridon Outdoors
Boath House
The Boath House can arrange some wonderful historical tours for their guests, including a Pictish Stone Tour or a Highland Clan Tour which can include visits to battle sites, castles, museums or a session with a genealogy expert if you’re one of the approximately 30 million people worldwide who claim Scottish descent!
There’s also an Outlander Tour, which has been specially created for followers of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander’ series. The tour takes guests to real places featured in the books and helps them learn more about the Highlands of Scotland during this time in history.
5. And is there anything new or exciting planned for 2019?
The increased range of flights into Inverness, offers more choice for visitors (arriving at the official starting point of the NC500). The NC500 route is great for such a wide range of visitors from individuals to families, to those travelling with dogs, or small groups of friends who might be travelling to enjoy a special occasion, such as a shared birthday trip and can enjoy some of the small hotels on an exclusive use basis
6. If you could choose a hidden gem along the North Coast 500, what would it be?
I would highly recommend a stop off at Britain’s most northerly distillery, Dunnet Bay Distillers, where they produce Scottish Gin and Vodka handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. My personal favourite which they’ve just brought back for 2019 is the Pink Grapefruit Old Tom Gin.
7. Are you aware of how the NC500 has impacted the North Highland area?
The NC500 has been a wonderful success story for the North Highland area. I recently attended a global travel event for the top travel agents around the world and I was amazed at how many of them had clients who had either completed the NC500 route or were intending to visit.
