Sumptuous pit-stops
With motorised tours of Scotland’s 17 driving routes all the rage, we decided to try out four wonderful places to rest your head after a hard day on the road
Hotel du Vin, St Andrews
REVIEWED BY STEPHANIE ABBOT & EDNA GOURLAY FROM DUNDEE
As we arrived at the beautiful stone building, it quickly became clear that Meldrum House is steeped in history and character. Reception can be found in the main house which boasts leather armchairs and a fireplace. Our room was in the new wing of the hotel, which opened in 2016, and boasted floor to ceiling views of the surrounding golf course. We sunk in to the plush chairs in the corner to enjoy a cup of tea and Scottish shortbread. Complete with all the standard modcons, a real delight was the huge and luxurious shower which I could have happily spent an hour in each morning.
We dined in the 1236 restaurant within the 800-year-old Cave Bar and tucked in to three indulgent courses, featuring ingredients sourced from the north east (where possible) in our little private stone turret booth. While I devoured a perfectly cooked ribeye steak with parmesan and truffle fries, my grandmother enjoyed the steak burger with a whisky glaze.
After a peaceful night’s sleep we woke up to a tasty breakfast and drizzly weather so we played boardgames in the drawing room, a perfect retreat for those colder autumn days. Later we experienced a wonderful afternoon tea served in one of two clear domes on the lawn. You can also book dinner in the dome so you can indulge in a bit of stargazing while you dine. To experience the full character of the hotel I’d love to stay in the Manor House on a future visit. This is a great base for exploring the delights of the north east.
Hotel du Vin
Tel: 01334 845313
Newhall Mains
Tel: 01381 632032
Meldrum House
Tel: 01651 872294
Whitebridge Hotel Tel: 01456 486226
REVIEWED BY GRANT DICKIE & BRANDON GRACIE FROM BATHGATE
The Whitebridge Hotel lies in the small village of Whitebridge, on the south west of Loch Ness. Upon arriving at the hotel, we were greeted by a lovely welcoming young man who checked us in and informed us of the hotel’s COVID-19 policy: the rooms were stripped of unnecessary items given the stringent hygiene precautions; this did not detract from the immediate charming and homely feel to the place. The hotel décor is authentically Highland themed, with a notable antler chandelier in the lobby, locally-made antler candle holders, tartan carpets and plenty of rustic antiques.
The location makes for an ideal base for exploring the stunning surrounding area – from the Falls of Foyers, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness and Inverness, there is no shortage of things to do. The hotel’s restaurant and bar has a lovely homely atmosphere and with welcoming proprietors Lesley and Bella serving their top-class hospitality, it only added to the overall experience. Lesley even created for us an itinerary so we could explore the area – being nature lovers, her outdoorsy itinerary was perfect. Local waterfalls, hidden lochs, encountering some sheep on farm roads, spotting red squirrels, birds of prey and wild stag were all part of a day’s exploring.
Returning in the evenings for dinner was a treat: with locally-sourced venison, chicken Balmoral, monkfish kebabs and vegetarian dishes on the menu, there was plenty delicious food on offer. They can expect to see us again in the future!
Offering an extensive range of delightful properties to suit all tastes and budgets throughout the East Neuk. Large, family sized houses, to luxury apartments and cosy cottages with golf and sea views.
01333 330219 info@eastfifeholidayhomes.co.uk eastfifeholidayhomes.co.uk