glasgow hotels

FROM PASTORAL border country to the raw, majestic scenery of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland’s landscape never ceases to amaze, and presents endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits – notwithstanding the rain and the summer midges. On the following pages you will find some of the most remote hotels in Europe, as well as ones fashioned from buildings as diverse as castles and crofts. The vast majority are in superb locations and are wonderfully secluded, perhaps overlooking a quiet loch with a view of distant mountains, or with lawns running down to a deserted swathe of golden beach. Of Scotland’s cities, Edinburgh is well served with fine hotels, and we include several useful addresses in Glasgow.

Achiltibuie hotels

Hotel Summer Isles

The very remote, cottage-like hotel has a Michelin star for its impressive cookery, which makes much use of fresh local fish; the cheeseboard is justly famous. Only seven of the rooms have a TV. If possible, go for the suite: it has a spiral staircase, huge bathroom and breathtaking views. Achiltibuie, Ullapool, Ross-shire IV26 2YG.

Auchterarde Hotels

Gleneagles Hotel

This spectacular Art Deco hotel was built in the 1920s as the ‘playground of the gods’. Intimate it is not; occupied you will certainly be, with a raft of activities, both leisure and sporting, now on offer (including, of course, the worldclass golf which made the hotel’s name). Suites and ‘Estate Rooms’ are nicest, but very expensive. Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF.

Ballater Hotels

Darroch Learg Hotel

An imposing Victorian country house hotel, splendidly situated and easy-going. Noted for its inventive food and excellent wines. Braemar Rd, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5UX.

Bunchrew Hotels

Bunchrew House

A pink sandstone turreted mansion with large, comfortable bedrooms and a rather formal dining room. Bunchrew, Inverness-shire IV3 8TA

Balquhidder Hotels

Monachyle Mhor

17th-century farmhouse by Loch Voil, run with verve by the Lewis family. Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PQ.

Isle of Colonsay Hotel

Perfect island life: away from it all in a warmly civilized house serving good fresh food. Cycling, fishing, golf, sailing. Isle of Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YP

 

BLAIRGOWRIE Hotels

Hotel Kinloch House

The early Victorian country house, adorned with a neatly trimmed creeper on the outside and pincushion-neat inside, is set in wooded parkland and has a fine walled garden. The atmosphere is quiet, the staff traditionally dressed, the rooms furnished with antiques. Bar for cocktails or a wee dram; conservatory. Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 6SG.

COMRIA HOTELS

Royal Hotel

In an endearing village, well placed for touring, this 18th-century former coaching inn became ‘royal’ when Queen Victoria stayed. Today it is a beautifully presented, traditional hotel with an eye for modern tastes and a cool yet homely ambience: heavy iron bedsteads are offset by pale walls and gleaming wooden floors. Melville Square, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2DN.

COLBOST, ISLE OF SKYE HOTELS

Hotel Three Chimneys

Long-established as one of Skye’s best restaurants – with the emphasis on fish – Three Chimneys can now count itself the island’s most interesting hotel. A new annexe, called the House Over-By, houses six contemporary suites, designed to blend with the magical views across water and mountains. Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8ZT.

Dunkeld Hotels

Hotel Kinnaird

This Edwardian mansion harks back to a more gracious age, with modern requirements subtly blended in: the dining room is decorated with frescoes, bedrooms are spacious and luxurious. The River Tay (fishing possible) flows through the estate. Also self-catering cottages. Kinnaird Estate, Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0LB.

DRUMNADROCHIT Hotels

Hotel Polmaily House

Secluded hotel near Loch Ness; both adults and children are well taken care of. Horse riding; sailing yachts on Loch Ness. Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire IV63 6TL.

FOrt William Hotels

Hotel Grange

Jessica Lange stayed in this B&B while filming Rob Roy. Maybe she had the Turret Room, but all are charming with lovely loch views. Grange Rd, Fort William, Inverness-shire PH33 6JF.

Eriska Hotels

Isle of Eriska Hotel

Close to Oban and connected to the mainland by a road bridge, Eriska feels a world away, and the family-run baronial house is a pleasant echo of the Victorian age. High tea is served at 6pm in old-fashioned public rooms. The bedrooms are light and mainly spacious. Families can expect a warm welcome. Private golf course. Eriska, Ledaig, Oban, Argyll PA37 1SD.

Glasgow Hotels

Hotel Malmaison

Cosmopolitan chic and value for money are the hallmarks of the Malmaison chain; this one created a very useful address. 278 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4LL.

ISLE ORNSAY Hotels

Hotel Eilean Iarmain

Traditional 19th-century seaside inn with a Gaelic feel. Wonderful views from the comfy bedrooms and public rooms. Sleat, Isle of Skye, Highland IV43 8QR.

Kentallen Hotels

Ardsheal House

Set above Loch Linnhe, with stunning views. Hospitable, slightly old-fashioned; guest rooms are decorated with family antiques. Kentallen of Appin, Argyll PA38 4BX.

Fort William Hotels

Hotel Inverlochy Castle

Set in the foothills of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Inverlochy prompted Queen Victoria to write: ‘I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.’ A hotel for 35 years, the Scottish Baronial pile is neither intimidating nor stuffy, but deeply, elegantly luxurious. Superb food; tennis, billiards, fishing. Torlundy, Fort William, Inverness-shire PH33 6SN.

Gullane Hotels

Greywalls Hotel

An obvious choice for golfers, since it overlooks the 10th green of the Muirfield course, this immaculate honey-stoned, crescent-shaped building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The feel is still one of an elegant private house; the panelled library is particularly appealing. Refined dinners and hearty breakfasts. Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian EH31 2EG.

Glasgow Hotels

One Devonshire Gardens

Even among London’s myriad town house hotels, One Devonshire Gardens would stand out. It comprises four handsome houses on a busy road close to the city centre. Step inside, and the effect is one of richly coloured opulence. Gordon Ramsay recently took over the hotel restaurant. One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow G12 0UX.

KILCHRENAN Hotels

Hotel Taychreggan

A sophisticated hideaway in a sensational setting on the banks of Loch Awe. Peace and quiet are assured: it’s approached by a seven-mile single-track road. The hotel’s core is an old stone drovers’ inn, with buildings arranged around a central courtyard. Smart decor with rather loud modern art on the walls. Kilchrenan, by Tainuilt, Argyll PA35 1HQ

Hotel Kildrummy Castle

Large Victorian building, set in lovely gardens overlooking a castle ruin. Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8RA.

KIRKUDBRIGHT Hotels

Gladstone House

Excellent B&B in an appealing town. It is decorated with taste and makes a civilized place to stay, with bountiful breakfasts. 48 High St, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway DG6 4JX.

Killiecrankie Hotels

Killiecrankie House

A modest Scottish country hotel, perfectly placed for watching out for wildlife, including red squirrels and roe deer. Killiecrankie, by Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LG.

Muir of Ord Hotels

Dower House

An elegant private home noted for its attentive owners and good food. Highfield, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire IV6 7XN.

Maybole Hotels

Culzean Castle

On a windswept clifftop, Robert Adam’s last masterpiece (c.1785). The top floor was given by Scotland to the late ex-US President Eisenhower for his lifetime, and is now a small hotel. It includes a wonderful circular sitting room with views to Arran and Mull of Kintyre. Or you can rent the entire apartment for a private party. Culzean Castle, Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 8LE

PORT APPIN Hotels

Airds Hotel

Airds is an old ferry inn in a pretty waterfront village, with spectacular views across Loch Linnhe to the hills beyond. It’s a sophisticated place, with a flower-filled conservatory and a Michelin-starred kitchen. Dinner included in price. Afternoon tea is served. Under new management. Port Appin, Appin, Argyll PA38 4DF.

Nairn Hotels

Clifton House

Though it’s not unusual to find hotels with a theatrical touch, this hotel is a theatre, staging concerts and recitals in the dining room during winter. The Victorian house is richly furnished, the bedrooms with a mix of antiques and painted pieces. Dinner, bed and breakfast (all included) is the only available package. Viewfield St, Nairn, Nairnshire IV12 4HW.

Portpatrick Hotels

Knockinaam Lodge

This is a most comfortable place to get away from the hurly burly, or perhaps take a break en route to the Stranraer ferry. Set in a remote wooded glen, its lawned garden runs down to a sandy cove. Peace reigns, both in the smart public rooms and the large, dignified bedrooms. Michelin-starred cuisine. Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway

Pitlochry Hotels

Knockendarroch House

A château-style house run by gracious and welcoming hosts. Set on a plateau above the town, the views are spectacular. Higher Oakfield, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5HT.

Skirling Hotels

Skirling House

A fascinating Arts and Crafts house surrounded by lovely gardens. Superb dinner-party-style food; sympathetic hosts. Skirling, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HD.

Isle of Skye Hotels

Viewfield House

Distinctive guesthouse, home of the Macdonalds, run on house-party lines and full of colonial memorabilia. Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9EU.

Kinloch Lodge

Home of Lord and Lady Macdonald; guests stay either in the Lodge or the New House, which is every bit as gracious. Sleat, Isle of Skye IV43 8QY

Isle of Harris Hotels

Scarista House

The manse stands alone on a windswept slope overlooking the Atlantic. The decoration is quite formal, but the atmosphere is relaxed and conversation replaces television. Two of the bedrooms are in a separate single-storey building. A great attraction, as well as the solitude, is the mostly organic food. Scarista, Isle of Harris, Western Isles HS3 3HX.

Tarbert Hotels

Skipness Castle

The ‘castle’ is a fine 13th-century Scottish Norman keep adjoining the beautifully furnished home of Libby and Nick James, which rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the original Victorian mansion, severely damaged by fire in 1969. Magical views across Kilbrannan Sound. Excellent seafood in the James’s Seafood Cabin. NSkipness by Tarbert, Argyll

Strachur Hotels

Creggans Inn

On the opposite side of Loch Fyne from the whisky town of Inverary, this historic country hotel is distinguished by its award-winning food and stylishly refurbished rooms, as well as its enthusiast’s wine list and exceptional range of whiskies. Breathtaking scenery, a warm welcome and charming decor. Strachur, Argyll PA27 8BX

SHETLAND ISLANDS Hotels

Burrastow House

A long, single-track road through Burrastow’s spacious grounds ends at a remote spot by a rocky shore. In this isolated setting, the calm, solid stone house exudes a genuinely friendly and welcoming ambience. After a day in the open, everyone appreciates Bo Simmons’s comforting food. Walls, Shetland ZE2 9PD.

SPEAN BRIDGE HOTELS

Corriegour Lodge

Anglers, walkers, climbers, pony trekkers and sailors will love this former hunting lodge with spectacular views over the Loch. Loch Lochy, by Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire PH34 4EB.

UIG ISLE OF LEWIS Hotels

Baile-na-Cille Hotel

The relaxed, beautifully set 18th-century manse makes a special guesthouse. Timsgarry, Uig, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides HS2 9JD.

Ullapool Hotels

Ceilidh Place

Happy centre of music, song, theatre, food, and more. Beds and bunks. West Argyle St, Ullapool, Ross-shire IV26 2TY

Strontian Hotels

Kilcamb Lodge

Pleasant country house hotel on the shores of Loch Sunart. A welcoming bar and updated dining area sets the tone. Strontian, Argyll PH36 4HY