Arisaig House – Inverness-shire
Handsome, greystone Arisaig House was designed in the 1860s as a shooting lodge by Philip Webb, ‘father of the Arts and Crafts movement’, and its position, surrounded by 19 acres of landscaped gardens in the wild wooded landscape of the West Highlands, is dramatically beautiful. The ultimate place to get away from it all, it is family owned and run, and has a reassuringly friendly feel. Chef-manager Sarah Winnington-Ingram and her husband Peter go to great lengths to make their guests feel at home. Downstairs, there are open fires, deep sofas and contemporary paintings (which are for sale); upstairs, the bedrooms are wonderfully comfortable, adorned with flowers, books and well-chosen ornaments. Sarah is a passionate cook and her food is seasonal, locally sourced and memorably good. There’s plenty to occupy you here too – croquet, tennis and billiards for starters, or you could sign up for one of Arisaig’s residential painting or photography courses. Doubles from £175.
tip
Name to Know: Richard, the kilted gardener, who has worked at Arisaig House for over 20 years. Ask him about the garden’s collection of rhododendrons and azaleas.
See: Take a boat trip to the small isles and see gannets, shearwaters, basking sharks, porpoises, dolphins or minke whales.
Eat: In the hotel restaurant or al fresco and savour the food from the local area.
Buy: A ticket on the iconic Jacobite steam train.
Want to find out more? Visit the hotel's website.
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