Scotland the best
Country house hotels
If you want to get away from it all, Scotland has a host of beautiful countryside retreats Kinloch House, near Blairgowrie
Beautiful mansion among the green fields and woods of Perthshire, home to welcoming hosts and consummate hoteliers, the Allen family. Open fires, oak-panelled hall and portrait gallery. Comfy rooms and informal but sure service. Nice conservatory. Those bucolic south-facing views!
kinlochhouse.com 01250 884237
Cromlix House, Dunblane
A long-established and favourite countryhouse hotel, taken over by Andy Murray’s family, discreetly modernised, managed by the premier ICMI Group and reopened in 2014. All mod cons, as you’d expect. No spa/ leisure but two tennis courts, fishing lochs and 3,000 acres of a beautiful wooded estate to wander.
cromlix.com 01786 822125
Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick
A historic Victorian house nestled on a cove. The Irish coastline is the only thing on the horizon, apart from discreet service and excellent food. Winston Churchill was once very comfortable here, too! Superb wine and whisky list
knockinaamlodge.com, 01776 810471
Glenapp Castle near Ballantrae
Very discreet entrance, with an entry phone system. From the oak-lined cloakrooms on either side of the main entrance, even before you go up the staircase to the lounges, you sense a soft enveloping opulence. Excellent and considerate service, top-notch food, impeccable interiors. The rooms are all individually beautiful, the suites enormous. Quality costs but the price includes just about everything, so relax and join this effortless house party. Kids can have separate high tea. Recently resurfaced tennis court, lovely walks in superb grounds kept by almost as many gardeners as there are chefs. Get their illustrated map and go explore. A southern secret.
glenappcastle.com 01465 831212 Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99