the Getaway

RaemOiR HOuse HOtel BanchorY

almost half a pound of raspberries goes into each bottle of liqueur and you can tell from the taste

ou could call it the miracle of the Claridges of the north a country house hotel on Strathdee whose elegance half a century ago drew comparison with londons finest but which slipped into virtual ruin before its astonishing revival. We knew none of this when we checked in at the raemoir house hotel. Our room was atmospheric, and when we sat in the hotels baronial lounge, sinking into the settees with a pre-dinner drink, we thought it couldnt get much better than this. then proprietor neil rae told us the history of raemoir and its brush with extinction. the original building dates from 1714 and was extended over the years. in 1943 the mansion and grounds were turned in to a hotel which became known as the Claridges of the north. then it

of the Year 2013. We knew none of this when we dined on the first night, choosing from a daily menu of four starters, a taster of soup, four mains and four desserts. Our choices were smoked salmon and chicken livers, a palate-cleansing taste of white onion and cider veloute, with was sold and resold before falling into near ruin. main courses of duck and enter neil and Julie rae. hake leaving us so replete that they had no hotel background we had room left for nothing neil had a career in structural more adventurous than iceengineering but lots of cream. On the second night determination. he recalls the loin and braised shoulder of lamb, with woodland going to an auction, bidding on every stick of furniture and mushrooms, celery root and buying the lot. dauphinoise potatoes was as his next move was to recruit good as anything i have ever four top chefs. it took 11 had. anywhere. not a single course disappointed. months ferocious work to reopen the doors, and yet the following year 2011 it was robbie dunwoodie was a guest of raemoir house named Scottish Country hotel, Banchory. B&B costs house hotel of the Year and from 150 per couple; dinner became the first winner to and B&B from 190 for two. successfully defend the title the following year. in addition, Visit raemoir.com or call its executive chef, david 01330 824884. littlewood, is Scotlands Chef robbie dinwoodie

Travel notes
Getting there there will be direct flights from glasgow to guernsey every Saturday from June 29 to September 7. hotel and travel packages from 399 per person. Book at guernseytravel.com or call 01534 496600. Where to stay B&B in a double room at Fermain Valley hotel costs from 100 per night. Visit www. fermainvalley.com or call 0800 316 0134. Other information guided walks to lihou island with gill girard cost from 7.50 per person. Visit gillgirardtourguide. com. Other guides are available at guernsey guidedtours.com. Car hire with hertz at guernsey airport costs from 37 per day. Visit hertz.co.uk. For information on guernsey see visitguernsey.com.

garlic and thyme duck with calvados sauce and sauteed potatoes. There are miles of coastal walks to discover and almost 30 beaches, from tiny coves to sweeping stretches of sand, many with beach shacks selling ice-cream, drinks and crab sandwiches for an al fresco lunch. A popular walk is at low tide across the causeway from LEree Bay to unspoilt Lihou Island. Its important to check tide times before crossing and always best to go with a guide. Gill Girard is one of the accredited guides who takes small groups to see the ancient ruin of St Marys Priory on the island, dating back to the 12th century. Its a great place to spot wildlife and the surrounding 426 hectares are Guernseys only Ramser site, wetlands of international importance. After the two-and-a-half hour walk, finish the afternoon with tea and a slice of gache, local fruit bread slathered in more of that gorgeous Guernsey butter. Living off the fat of the land has never tasted so good.

18.05.13 the herald magazine

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