THE GREAT ESCAPE
What would life be without a little indulgence? Rosie Morton uncovers the wide variety of luxurious destinations that lie just a stone’s throw away
Check out ten of the fanciest Scottish staycations that money can buy
1 . LOCHSIDE LODGE WITH TREEHOUSE & ROMANTIC BOLTHOLE
Throwing a party in a luxury treehouse wasn’t previously on my radar, but having seen the peace, privacy, and bird’s eye views from the famous ‘fairytale castle in the sky’ at
The Lodge on Loch Goil, it now has a firm place on my bucket list. This enchanting space, overlooking the mirrored waters of one of Argyll’s most scenic lochs, is the perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding or private dinner. It can accommodate up to eight people for a seated dinner, or 24 for a standing party, and features a wood burning stove, WiFi and sound system. Rest your head in one of the Victorian Lodge’s seven bedrooms, all named after Scottish islands, to round off the five-star experience. Exclusive use of the lodge is available, or alternatively you can arrive by seaplane and book into their secluded Summerhouse for an intimate romantic retreat, perched on the water’s edge. Did someone say star-gazing? www.thelodge-scotland.com
2. HEAVEN FOR ART LOVERS
Ever stayed in a hotel with a giant spider sculpture? Had a dram beneath a Picasso? How about sitting by a monumental 19th-century mantelpiece featuring scenes from the works of Robert Burns? The Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar has to be seen to be believed. Transformed from rags to riches, the hotel’s multi-millionpound makeover by its owners, internationally renowned art dealers Iwan and Manuela Wirth, rivals that of Cinderella. It now consistently tops the charts as one of the UK’s favourite cultural destinations. Every square inch of this former Victorian coaching inn is bedecked with art, treasures and obscure curiosities, with over 14,000 pieces to feast your eyes on. Be sure to stop in past the library and catch up with Queen Victoria before you leave… No, seriously. Pack those bags straight away. www.thefifearms.com
3. LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE
Nothing says ‘luxury’ like chartering your own boat. The height of decadence is hiring Fair Lady, a five-cabin 121ft 1928 classic motor yacht which transports you back to the Roaring Twenties while cruising up Scotland’s craggy coastline. Previous eight-day charters have left from Oban, floating on to the Outer Hebrides through towering mountains and glistening lochs before flying home on the Spirit of Laudale, a Cessna 208 seaplane. Sympathetically refitted and maintained, Fair Lady boasts period features including a 1920s ship’s wheel and brass binnacle, original pear wood detailing in the card room, and traditional mahogany panels in the dining room. What’s more, you needn’t race to the best sunbathing spot – rows of sumptuous sun loungers offer the whole party the chance to drink in the views in a timeless backdrop, with a week costing from £56,000. www.burgessyachts.com/en
4. EXCLUSIVE-USE WHISKY MANSION
It is no secret that Speyside is home to some magnificent whisky haunts. This exclusive-use property, however, is set to offer Scotch connoisseurs a new and exciting experience in the region. Opening its doors for the first time this month, Rothes Glen House – a baronial mansion built in 1893 – has been transformed into a luxurious whisky paradise. With a tasting room, whisky vault, whisky cabinets, and an endless supply of the water of life for guests to enjoy, everything has been designed to suit even the most discerning single malt enthusiast. Should you wish to take a trip to local distilleries, try out some whisky and food pairings, or book tailored whisky experiences, help is at hand at Rothes Glen. Be sure to take a look at their world-class whisky book collection in the library before checking out. www.rothesglenspeyside.com
5. A ROD & REEL RETREAT
If your idea of heaven is a salmon fishing retreat, look no further than the marvellous Stenton House. Positioned along the Stenton Beat of the River Tay – which extends to half a mile of singlebank salmon fishing with an average of 80 salmon/grilse per annum – you and 13 friends can luxuriate in this Victorian country house with southfacing views across the water. Stenton lies immediately downstream from the Glendelvine Beat which is where Georgina Ballantine caught the British record salmon (64lb) in October 1922. If, however, the wily fish are dodging your flies, there is also first-class driven shooting locally, a croquet lawn and tennis court, and a games room with snooker table to keep you entertained. www.stenton-estate.com
6. ALL MOD CONS
I half expected Skyfall villain Raoul Silva to walk out of this show-stopping, contemporary build when I first laid eyes on it. Setting the benchmark for coastal living, The Bay Apartments, six cutting-edge holiday apartments, lie just metres from Coldingham Bay, one of the most picturesque beaches in southern Scotland. Whether you’re surfing, dabbling in rockpools, or dipping in the ice-cold waters, these ultra-luxe apartments are the perfect place to return to after a long day exploring. When you’ve spent enough time lounging on the balcony, there are plenty of walking routes in the local vicinity, including a scenic coastal walk that takes in the nearby fishing village of St. Abbs – a seafood paradise. www.crabtreeandcrabtree.com
7. THE ULTIMATE CASTLE
Looking to channel your inner Disney prince/princess? Well, now you can, by renting out an entire Scottish castle, complete with pink exterior and 500 acres of woodland and gardens. Aldourie Castle, the only habitable castle on Loch Ness, is one of the most soughtafter exclusive-use venues in the country, and all bookings come fully serviced, catered and staffed. Available for a day, a week, or even a month, up to 24 guests can call this castle home, with the estate cottages making even larger events or parties a possibility too. From the depths of the wine cellar to the tips of the turrets, you’ll want to explore every inch. The sporting and recreational activities are endless. The sky really is the limit. www.aldouriecastle.co.uk
8. YOUR OWN «HOLE GOLF COURSE
Reaching an acceptable handicap before being let loose on St Andrews’ Old Course is something many of us aspire to. But what if you need a few more practice swings in private? Old Milton, a luxury rental property in the heart of the Cairngorms, is here to answer your prayers. As well as offering you and your 15 travel companions the chance to indulge in contemporary living spaces, a private nine-hole golf course lies metres away from the front door. Each hole boasts views of the Monadhliath Mountains, the Cairngorms, and the Inshriach Marshes. www.oldmilton.co.uk
9. ROYAL SPENDOUR
A quintessentially Highland experience awaits at Glenfeshie Lodge, an archetypal Victorian shooting lodge that dates back to the 1880s. It has been used as a film location for the likes of The Queen (starring Dame Helen Mirren), Victoria & Abdul (with Dame Judi Dench), Netflix’s The Crown, and most recently The Outlaw King, which follows the story of Robert the Bruce. It is also said that Sir Edwin Landseer chose the landscape around Glenfeshie for his studies of the deer that roam throughout the glen, resulting in his famed ‘Monarch of the Glen’ painting. Overlooking the bens and the salmon-rich River Feshie, this exclusive-hire hideaway offers the perfect opportunity to recharge the batteries in the great outdoors. Hike in the hills, dip in the ice-cold rivers, or enjoy a sporting day on the estate. Glenfeshie Lodge sleeps up to 12, comes fully catered, and reopens after refurbishment in summer 2022. www.glenfeshie.scot
10. YOUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
If you think private islands are a luxury reserved for the Branson family, think again. Home to an abundance of wildlife including sea eagles, golden eagles, seals and otters, the island of Scarba in Argyll is an uninhabited, privately owned island that offers complete privacy. Your base for the week is Kilmory Lodge, a six-bedroomed, 19th-century haven that is let on a fully catered basis and is accessible only via private charter boat, seaplane or helicopter. Summer escapes are geared around beaches, boat trips, watersports, barbecues, whisky safaris, brown trout fishing and lobster potting, while stalking can be arranged from late August. With unparalleled views of Cruach Scarba and the Hebrides, this is Scotland at its compelling best. www.georgegoldsmith.com