GLENAPP CASTLE REVIEW: A MAGNIFICENT & ROMANTIC SCOTTISH ADVENTURE
It is finally time for me to reveal my review of Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, a magnificent Scottish Baronial-style castle hotel boasting five stars and 17 bedrooms. There is so much to say about this glorious Scottish haven! Following a temporary closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I am pleased to announce that this Relais & Chateaux hotel is reopening to guests from 15th July 2020.
The Glenapp Estate is tucked away on the breath-taking Ayrshire coast, hidden at the end of a long, tree-lined road behind an elaborate, gated entrance. The estate is comprised of 110 acres of stunning natural woodland, surrounded by gorgeous Scottish countryside. You can spot Ailsa Craig and Northern Ireland from the castle, which is an delight to behold on clear and sunny days (try and get the window seat at meal times)!
We were treated like royalty from the moment we pressed the buzzer to enter The Glenapp Estate. The hotel staff were friendly and professional, ready to provide us with plenty of historical and local information. I was told that in 1870, renowned Edinburgh architect, David Bryce, was commissioned to design a magnificent home here for James Hunter in 1870. This certainly explains the grandeur and the fairytale appearance of the property.
The rooms in the castle are both cosy and decadent. Each room has been individually designed with respect to the outstanding Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Contemporary comforts blend well with traditional-style decor and the castle has a charming, quintessentially Scottish feel. If you’re looking for the perfect castle hotel for a romantic escape, look no further.
When we arrived at Glenapp in late February, our suite was glowing with the warmth of an open fire, which we welcomed in the tail end of our bleak Scottish winter. On several occasions throughout our stay, we borrowed wellies for brisk, woodland walks until, rosy-cheeked, the bitter cold wind blew us back to the castle for an Earl Grey and shortbread by the fire. We were staying in the Bryce Suite, a delightful junior suite at the front of the castle with an extra cosy little lounge room.
Being a magpie for antiques, I accepted a tour of the castle, which took me to lots of different rooms - all very different, but thoughtfully curated with an underlying uniformity. A brand-new self-contained penthouse apartment will join the line-up in September. This show-stopping 4,500 sq ft slice of luxury will be named ‘The Endeavour’, in honour of the great British Royal Navy research vessel, HMS Endeavour. This will house four bedrooms and four bathrooms with private dining options and much more. Artist impressions below.
A lot of thought has gone into the dinner menu at Glenapp Castle. There are half a dozen choices for starters and mains, with an abundance of fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. After a fireside Martini and some canapés in the lounge area, we headed through to the dining room, which feels very serene and inviting with its soft, candlelit glow.
To start, I ordered the tempting Pan Seared Orkney Scallops with Cauliflower Purée and a Seaweed Butter Sauce. When I shut my eyes, I could taste the Western Islands as each melt in the mouth scallop disappeared from my artfully arranged plate. Craving more seafood for my main, I ordered the Grilled Fillet of Atlantic Halibut with Pomme Purée, Baby Leeks and Sauce Bon Femme. This dish personifies the word ‘wholesome’ and is another Scottish seaside sensation, perfectly balanced with a crisp, white wine.
The portions at Glenapp are neither too big nor too small, meaning there was enough room left for the Passionfruit and Vanilla Cheesecake with Sorbet and a selection of British Cheeses. To say I lost myself in the moment with the cheese would be a major understatement. We finished the evening with a whisky tasting - 4 drams each to end a wonderful day at Glenapp.
Breakfast options range from fresh fruit platters to “The Glenapp Castle Grill”, Grilled ‘Galloway Smokehouse’ Kipper and Crushed Avocado on Sourdough Toast with Poached Corrie Mains Eggs and Chilli Oil
Glenapp Castle is as innovative as it is beautiful, renowned for embracing the outstanding natural beauty that surrounds the property. Impressively, 65+ indoor and outdoor activities are offered, including botanical perfume making, wilderness living, archery, clay pigeon shooting, stargazing, foraging, bee keeping, tank driving, mountain biking and falconry displays. Come rain or shine, there is always something exciting to keep your spirits alive.
A prized gem in the Glenapp crown is the Hebridean Sea Safari, a spectacular excursion offering a four night adventure exploring the remote and irresistible Scottish isles of Jura, Islay, Eilean Mor MacCormich and Gigha. Guests are likely to spot brilliant wildlife including basking sharks, dolphins, minke whales and seals. In true Glenapp style, a private chef joins the team on board, cooking up nature-inspired feasts along the way.
To complete this invigorating Scottish adventure, the Sea Safari team arrive ahead of the guests to pitch luxury glamping tents in carefully selected, unique and remote locations. Guests spend the evening watching the sun go down over the islands whilst sipping on a local dram. When suitably tired from a day exploring nature, a luxurious night under the stars awaits. This is a life experience you will never forget.
Book Your Safe Stay
Due to the impressive scale of Glenapp Castle’s private estate and local woodland, social distancing can be easily managed here. The hotel has different rooms for dining to allow for two metre distancing and a special ‘Stay Safe’ policy is in place. You will be in safe hands, leaving you to enjoy a wonderful trip to remember. We can thoroughly recommend this unique and luxurious destination for romantic getaways, honeymoon retreats and unforgettable nature expeditions. I can’t wait to return!
You can stay in one of Glenapp Castle’s Garden View Suites from £415 on a room and breakfast basis. There is a new flexible booking policy and a special four-for-three option. To book a memorable stay at Glenapp Castle, please visit www.glenappcastle.com or call +44 (0)1465 831212
