After a beautiful drive through the highlands, we arrived at Braemar which is a beautiful, historic, small village set in the mountains. Lunch had been booked in The Flying Stag restaurant and we had mussels in a garlic creamy broth with the house special “porridge bread” to soak it all up. Yum.
We walked around the village checking out the local crafts and the gift shops. There look to be some fantastic walks along the really picturesque waterways and small woodlands. Fife Arms have a team of Ghillie’s who will take you on guided walks and hikes or maybe fly fishing etc. Ghillie is the Gaelic term for a Highlands attendant who looks after guests, particularly fishing, hunting or deer stalking. It must be a mecca for deer stalkers here as antlers feature by the hundreds in all the decor.
On check-in we were given a guided tour of the hotel with its many restaurants, galleries and quirky points of interest.
As the creation of Iwan and Manuela Wirth, art is central to the Fife Arms. The duo have personally curated an extraordinary collection of over 14,000 pieces that span furniture, militaria, archeology, taxidermy and an exceptional collection of contemporary fine art.
Displayed throughout the hotel in a way that is far more personal than is experienced in a museum or gallery, the decor brings contemporary and modern styles to blend with the antique and Scottish setting in a fabulous way - I think with an appeal for everyone.
Our rooms are interconnected - Candice in a Scottish culture room named after Elsie Inglis who was born in 1864 and was an innovator, doctor, suffragist and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospital during the First World War. I was in a Nature and Poetry room named after Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island. He wrote the first chapters of this novel in Braemar.
Afternoon tea under the Picasso in one of the lounge areas was scones with jam and cream and a welcome cup of tea.Read more
ScotlandClunie Water57°0’21” N 3°23’60” W
ScotlandClunie Water57°0’21” N 3°23’60” W