Achnagairn Castle, cool castle
Highland extravagance. If you thought you were coming to a planed castle, think again. Achnagairn Castle, very close to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, has none of the austere atmosphere of an old castle; The 19th century building houses sofas, armchairs, beds and rugs in every bright color imaginable. While staying there, you will have the option of sleeping in one of the castle’s 24 rooms or in one of the seven mini-mansions that comprise the domain. The decor, unique to each room, is meant to be fun with a good dose of humor. In the kitchen, guests can enjoy packed lunches with local produce, and can also go to the castle to choose their own wines and beers, while breakfast is prepared according to each customer’s request.
Cost: from €146 per night in a double room.
Our advice: Take advantage of Inverness’ proximity to walk along the Ness Walk, a footpath along the River Ness, the river that leaves the loch of the same name and flows into the Moray Firth.
Achnagairn Castle, Achnagairn Estate, Kirkhill IV5 7PD. Such. +39 089 871012.
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The Granary Lodge, for a regal and thoughtful stay
Ultimate quality guarantee. it was Prince Charles himself who opened The Granary Lodge, on the Caithness coast in the far north of Scotland, at a strategic point on the NC500 tourist route. Nestled between the sea and the castle, the former home of the Queen Mother, the ten bedrooms of this Bed & Breakfast reflect the local environment and the castle: dark wood furniture, model boats. , shell… Soft colors reminiscent of the capricious North Sea are spiced up with bold floral wallpapers. A notable feature. the hotel has a honesty bar, that is, a bar where you serve yourself and they rely on your honesty to pay your debt. We are quickly drawn to this confidence, which makes the rest more enjoyable.
Cost: €193 per night, all year round.
Our advice: Just a 20-minute drive from Granary Lodge, Dunnet Head Lighthouse stands majestically on this small peninsula. At the end of a winding road along beaches and lakes, we reach the northernmost point of the main island of the United Kingdom. There, a little over 10 kilometers to the north, we can see the Orchades Archipelago.
Granary Lodge, The Castle of, Mey, Thurso KW14 8XH. Such. +44 (0)1847 851861.
Kylesku Hotel, for seafood
Further down the NC500 is the Kylesku Hotel. perched on the edge of Loch Glean Dubh in the remote region of Assynt, the location is not only convenient but breathtaking. This Scandinavian-style converted Victorian coaching inn offers rooms with a modern, understated atmosphere with touches of tweed, a bar and restaurant serving fresh, local seafood, where the seafront and Assynt’s wild, rugged landscapes are reflected in the hotel’s large windows. . The hospitality of the Highlands is an honor. the service is warm, friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed.
Cost: from 116 euros per night in a double room.
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Our advice: the hotel offers many outdoor activities: kayaking, nature photography workshops, cycling or even a boat trip to meet the seals.
Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku, Sutherland, Lairg IV27 4HW. Such. +44 (0)1971 910047.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Highland Excellence
Even Queen Victoria fell in love with Inverloch Castle when she visited it in 1873, and it hasn’t lost its charm. Minutes from the beautiful town of Fort William, the hotel, a true jewel of Scottish baronial architecture, is also close to Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak. To get there, you must pass through the fabled Glencoe region, the seat of the romantic Highland imagination. The decor is everything you’d expect from a castle of this size, but we love the modernity that’s managed to find its way into tradition; walk-in shower, Bluetooth stereo… Optionally, you can purchase a DVD player and a video game console. The rooms have absolutely everything you need for a comfortable stay, and the service is impeccable. definition of excellence. A place to keep on hand for a special occasion.
Cost: from €439 per night in a double room.
Our advice: The hotel’s restaurant, run by father and son Albert and Michel Rooney, is a sight to behold and offers British cuisine influenced by French culinary tradition, prepared with the finest produce from the region.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN. Such. +44 (0)1397 702177.
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Saorsa 1875, the UK’s first vegan hotel
Yes, Soarsa 1875 is for everyone, not just those who say no to animal products. Soarsa means freedom and 1875 is the year this hotel was built, located in the village of Pitlochry, at the very beginning of the Highlands and Cairngorm National Park. In addition to the colorful design, with graphic posters, this hotel is characterized by attention to the environment and ethics; also find robes or slippers to limit the enterprise’s water consumption. However, comfort is anything but spartan. in the bedrooms you’ll find Bluetooth speakers, soft mattresses to sleep on… In the kitchen, it’s the highest-spec vegan kitchen you’ll find. plate thanks to a five-course tasting menu for £55. You’ll have a great time there and the planet will thank you.
Cost: from 210 euros per night in a double room.
Our advice: There is plenty to do in and around Pitlochry. Perthshire is a large part of Scotland. Admire Queen’s View, named after Queen Victoria’s visit in 1866, or stroll Fascal’s Wood; in autumn it is simply magical.
Saorsa 1875, 2 E Moulin Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5DW. Such. +44 (0)1796 475217.
Source: Le Figaro
