Green-fingered getaways

Many of Scotland’s finest hotels sit in perfectly manicured grounds and even those in city centres are often within daundering distance of a great garden to explore

Boclair House Hotel, Bearsden, Glasgow

Spring had definitely sprung when we visited Boclair House Hotel. To the front, the well-tended flowerbeds were full of colour with an array of spring flowers including daffodils, tulips and polyanthus, and various small shrubs. There’s a beautiful, well-established flowering cherry tree too. An external seating area within cloisters overlooks the extensive lawn and flowerbeds, and with the central bandstand is the ideal spot for photographic opportunities.

Fully renovated and refurbished to a very high standard, and only open since early April, the hotel specialises as a wedding venue but is also ideal for people on business or holiday.

Boclair is a Tudor Gothic mansion and on arrival we were made very welcome. The entrance hall and stairway are exquisite with a feature stained-glass window, beautiful chandelier and a photograph gallery of film stars well worth taking the opportunity to ponder over. The rooms and suites are very well appointed, oozing quality, luxury and attention to detail, their names projected on the floor in front of each door, a subtle blend of modern and traditional style. We were allocated Mull and the welcome cheesecakes for us were absolutely delicious and a lovely treat.

A wedding fayre was being held when we arrived and we popped in to see the honeymoon suite, two amazing rooms, one with an unusual and unique overhead shower amidst lights, and also a separate spiral staircase feature – absolutely stunning.

The staff were very friendly, professional and eager to please, and dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious.

Bearsden is convenient for Glasgow city centre, and locally there are shops, museums, galleries and golf courses in abundance. The Trossachs, Campsie Fells and surrounding countryside are easily accessible too.

Whilst the customer focus and standards are very high, the hotel isn’t ostentatious – it’s extremely comfortable and relaxed, and well worth a visit.

Prices from £195 per room per night bed and breakfast Reviewed by Ross and Morag Bootland from Roslin Greywalls was originally designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1901 as a holiday home for keen golfer Alfred Lyttleton, and what a location for a holiday it is. With views over the six acres of perfectly manicured and pleasingly symmetrical gardens, and across the Firth of Forth to Fife, there are aesthetically pleasing vistas from each and every window.

Our room was spacious with a huge bed, dual aspect windows to make the most of the aforementioned views and a lovely new top spec bathroom.

Pre-dinner G&Ts in the drawing room were accompanied by a pianist, aiding in the departure of a long week’s stresses and strains.

As one might expect from a Chez Roux dining room, the food was impeccable. The menu is detailed, with a signature Roux souffle option as a starter and as a dessert. The standout dish for me was a cep veloute with chestnut puree and venison tortellini, rich, earthy and thoroughly comforting.

The dining room, in-keeping with the rest of the hotel, is a million miles away from contemporary, clean and minimalist styling, and is all the better for it. Greywalls isn’t a modern hotel. It’s a five-star establishment in the original sense. The wallpaper is heavily patterned, the curtains and swags look like they might weigh enough to sink one of the small fishing boats sailing up and down the Forth. Service is attentive and beds are turned down in the evening.

After an indulgent eggs benedict breakfast, a wander around the gardens revealed a doocot, walled garden, topiary and plenty of promise as to what lies ahead in mid-summer with the beginnings of new life unfurling, budding and peeping just above the fertile soil.

Prices from £313.50 per room per night with breakfast