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DRYNACHAN LODGE |
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NEAR INVERNESS, SCOTLAND
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The visitors' book reads like the society pages of a glossy magazine: Snowdons and Montagues jostle for space with aristocratic models (Jasmine Guinness and Stella Tennant), 'double-barrels' and the occasional celebrity chef. This dusky-pink hunting lodge, built by the Cawdor family in the early 19th century, sprawls alongside the River Findhorn, isolated among 25,000 acres of moorland yet only 40 minutes' drive from Inverness airport. Inside the lodge, original gun racks (in the four single rooms), wall-mounted antlers (in the living room), stuffed pheasants (in the entrance hall) and charcoal drawings (in the 22-seat dining room) leave little doubt as to what this
place is primarily about: hunting, shooting and fishing. Horse-riding is also available
- there are 60 miles of tracks to explore - and clay-pigeon shooting and canoeing can be organised.
A stay here is largely about enjoying the great outdoors, but if the weather's bad, you can summon a local beauty therapist for a massage and a pedicure, or put your feet up by the fire. The 13 generous bedrooms sleep up to 18, the wood floors and iron bedsteads providing a comfortable, traditional feel. Floris products, white gowns and towels add the finishing touches in the eight bathrooms (three en suite). The lodge is fully catered, with the emphasis on local produce (samphire, trout, scallops, venison). In the evening, the living room is the focal point, with a large fireplace, wood panelling, tartan carpet, George Sherlock chairs and sofas and a help-yourself bar. It is extremely cosy and the perfect place to kick back with a glass of Pouilly-Fuissé and the promise of one of chef Gidion Retief von Wielligh's fine dinners.
SLEEPS
18
PRICE
£3,600 for eight people (minimum) for a three-night weekend, fully catered excluding alcohol: £175 per extra guests.
CONTACT
Drynachan Lodge, Cawdor Estate, Nairn, nr Inverness (01667 402402; www.cawdor.com)
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