Sun, sea, sand

Heatwave hits stately Angus village

Blistering heat, golden beaches and spectacular sunburn. Not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a Scottish summer break, but on a recent trip that’s exactly what I got.

The countryside village of Edzell in Angus might be less than an hour’s drive from bustling Dundee, but it felt a million miles away and was the perfect spot to relax for the weekend.

As I arrived in the quiet village, I was struck with how grand everything looked. Coming from Glasgow, where every other building is red sandstone or soot-stained black, the crisp, sparkling granite homes and their perfectly curated flower gardens lining the main street seemed so impressive.

The most striking feature, however, was the giant stone archway which marks the entrance to Edzell when driving from the north.

My partner, an Aberdeenshire native, assured me many of the towns and villages in the area were like this, due to their proximity to Balmoral. On the off chance Her Majesty could be passing through on her way to the castle, everything had to be tip-top, he advised.

Glenesk Hotel itself was a homely, grey building brightened up with perfectly pruned flower baskets hanging from the porch.

A friendly receptionist greeted us, and showed us to our room – a fancy suite with comfy seats and large bathroom. We dumped our bags, did the obligatory flop-on-the-bed test and headed downstairs for a nosey.

The swimming pool and spa were a definite bonus, and the two dining options – one formal, one lounge – made sure all tastes and styles were catered for.

Old-fashioned carpets lined the stairs and floors, and the quirky décor, including ornaments, animal pictures and a giant bear at the front door, created a unique feel.

Most noticeable were the masses of whisky bottles displayed behind large glass cabinets, all from the hotel owner’s private collection.

This passion for whisky made sense when I