Holiday Issue 2019

33 Apr19181 Glenspean Lodge :An Old-Fashioned Hunting Lodge Offering a Taste of New Luxury Nestled in the peerless Scottish Highlands, Glenspean Lodge Hotel is a wonderful old converted hunting lodge from the 1880s given new life and new purpose. Last month Glenspean was recognised with the ‘Award for Excellence in Luxury Accommodation’ for the Scottish Highlands in the LUXlife 2019 Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards programme. We spoke with Owner Ian Currie to find out more. Glenspean’s appeal lies in its enviable location – all vast rolling hills, mountains and verdant greenery- partnered with the homely, welcoming, cosy atmosphere of the lodge itself. It’s a traditional sort of appeal that speaks to a more fundamental luxury: the offer to relax and enjoy the lodge’s many offerings and beautiful backdrop. For Ian, the hotel’s relatively small size helps to ensure that all guests receive an exceptional experience, defined by a hands-on, personalised service. “We are a small family run business – the hotel only has seventeen individually furnished bedrooms, so it is more like a home from home rather than a traditional ‘large’ hotel. Every year the hotel goes from strength to strength on the back of repeat business. We like to think that our hands-on approach helps secure this repeat patronage.” Fitting very much into Glenspean’s idea of hospitality is the fact that the hotel hires as many locals as possible, adding to the home-grown nature of the property. “We try to employ as many locals as we can during the season so that they can share their knowledge of the area with the guests who are visiting. At the moment the Scottish Highlands are experiencing a tourist boom, as visitors know it is a safe place to holiday.” By all regards, Glenspean seems like the perfect rest-stop in the region, offering a respite and chance to simply pause and take in the wondrous locale. “It really is the ideal place to unwind and get away from it all, boasting fantastic panoramic views whatever the season.” The food is also noteworthy, combining traditional British pub fare with an upmarket twist: “Our Head Chef seeks to create cuisine that can be enjoyed by guests and locals alike.” The hotel’s Nevis View Restaurant delights with a beautiful setting, a perfect accompaniment for a more formal dining experience, whilst the more relaxed Macintosh Lounge Bar offers a tempting alternative. Ian continues, “We have an excellent reputation for offering fresh locally sourced produce, and home-cooked food, such as our Pate, breads and desserts.” Despite the decidedly Victorian façade, the hotel’s amenities are thoroughly modern without – crucially- jeopardising the property’s intrinsic charm. As such, Glenspean Lodge remains a must-visit establishment, especially for those that want a taste of traditional Scottish hospitality. Glenspean Lodge Hotel Name: Ian Currie, Owner Address: Roy Bridge, Inverness Shire, PH31 4AW, United Kingdom Website: www.glenspeanlodge.com Telephone: +44 (0)13 9771 2223 Retreat