8 minute read
Head for The Highlands: Discover The Torridon
Combining world-class luxury, a plethora of exhilarating activities and one of the most spectacular settings in Scotland, Sophie Farrah checks into The Torridon - the UK’s most northerly five-star hotel.
Draw back your bedroom curtains at The Torridon and you may well think that you’re still dreaming. Just beyond an immaculate lawn, several fluffy highland cows graze lazily, a magnificent sea loch twinkles in the soft morning light, and a thick band of cloud encircles the towering Torridon Hills beyond. It is a truly pictureperfect Scottish scene.
Family-owned for over 30 years, this fairytale-esque turreted house has been lovingly restored to its Victorian splendour by Dan and Rohaise Rose-Bristow, and today it is one of the most luxurious resorts in the Highlands.
Spread across 58 acres of peaceful parkland, The Torridon is home to the UK’s most northerly five-star hotel, a working farm, productive kitchen garden, two restaurants, a whisky bar, a plethora of thrilling activities and more, making it the ultimate destination for a truly unforgettable Highland break.
Crossing the hotel’s beautifully mosaicked threshold, there is an immediate sense of history and a captivating blend of old and new. Sumptuous fabrics, pops of colour and modern patterns seamlessly combine with dark wood panelling, traditional furniture and elegant antiques. A large open fire flickers, illuminating the ornate ceilings; those in the newly refurbished drawing room have an unusual zodiac design – a tribute to Queen Victoria, who was fascinated by astrology and famously fond of the Highlands. Eyecatching paintings adorn the walls, including a portrait of the pioneering mathematician, Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron and wife of William King-Noel, the first Earl of Lovelace, who originally built The Torridon as a shooting lodge in 1887.
The 18 individually-designed bedrooms in the handsome main house offer a similar sense of Victorian-style opulence combined with luxurious contemporary design. Dream Escape is particularly fond of the 1887 Suite, which has its own private hallway. A staircase then leads up to a spacious bedroom and separate sitting room, both with stunning views, and a generous bathroom with an extra-large freestanding bath at its centre. Open the windows and you can hear the waters of the Allt Coire Roill river rushing by on its way to meet Loch Torridon. Beautiful fresh flowers are cut from the walled garden and arranged in the bedrooms each day, along with other lovely touches such as handmade chocolates, luxurious Bamford toiletries and plush bathrobes. Several thoughtful wellness essentials are also supplied, such as a yoga mat, herbal tea and a link to a guided meditation, should one wish to truly unwind.
Elsewhere on the estate, a further 12 inviting bedrooms can be found in the Stables, whilst The Boathouse – a luxurious two-bedroom waterside retreat just a short walk from the hotel – offers seclusion and solitude immersed in nature.
Once unpacked, The Torridon offers much to explore. Dream Escape recommends starting with a stroll around the hotel’s picturesque kitchen garden. This pretty and productive Beatrix Potter-esque two-acre plot ensures a year-round supply of fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables for the hotel’s two restaurants. There’s also an elegantly designed gin garden, which supplies herbs and botanicals for The Torridon’s very own gin, Arcturus.
It’s incredibly easy to pass the time here simply enjoying the magnificent views from a comfortable chair in the drawing room or out on the terrace, keeping an eye out for dolphins, otters and seals, all of which are regular visitors to the sea loch that The Torridon overlooks. But if you’re feeling more energetic, then some of Scotland’s very best walking trails pass through the hotel grounds, offering stunning seascapes combined with rugged mountain views, completely immersed in the unspoilt Scottish countryside.
The resort also provides the most spectacular setting for a range of thrilling outdoor pursuits. Thanks to the onsite outdoors centre – expertly led by Veshengo – Dream Escape guests can embark on guided walks and hikes, e-biking, mountain biking, gorge scrambling and more. Archery and clay pigeon shooting sessions take place at the end of lawn, with stunning views of the loch and mountains beyond. In the summer months, Dream Escape guests can go snorkelling, sea kayaking and wild swimming in the loch, or head out on the hotel’s lovely 19ft Irish Lough boat for a guided fly fishing expedition, complete with a delectable lunch hamper.
As night falls, enchanting stargazing experiences can be organised on the terrace. Guided by an astronomer, Dream Escape guests can learn all about the night sky and how to stargaze. Thanks to its remote location, The Torridon is amongst the darkest locations on earth, making awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way and thousands of stars possible.
If you can tear yourself away from the deep comfort of the hotel, the beauty of the West Highlands awaits. There are historic castles, glorious gardens, unspoilt nature reserves and more, all waiting to be discovered. The Torridon also sits on Scotland’s famously cinematic driving route, The North Coast 500. If you’d prefer to let someone else take the wheel, Dream Escape ’s Travel Designers organise private, bespoke tours with life-long Highlander, Donald MacDonald, whose extensive knowledge and fascinating stories of the local area are both entertaining and inspiring. From the comfort of a luxurious minibus, Donald’s off-thebeaten-track itineraries include local villages, awe-inspiring viewpoints, mysterious caves, wild waterfalls and more. These compelling tours also offer a good chance of spotting local wildlife such as otters, eagles and wild deer.
After all that adventure, it may well be time for a ‘wee dram’. In true Scottish style, The Torridon has an elegant and atmospheric wood panelled bar with over 120 gins and 365 whiskies on offer, including the hotel’s very own delicious blend, Taurus. Dream Escape guests can enjoy guided whisky or gin tastings with a member of the hotel’s knowledgeable bar team, whilst charismatic bartender, Luis, is on hand to mix and muddle a variety of tempting cocktails.
The Torridon’s impeccable level of luxury is reflected in both the service throughout the resort and in its varied food offering. A bountiful breakfast is served overlooking the mesmerising loch and soaring mountains, whilst the hotel’s traditional afternoon tea is also not to be missed. Featuring tiered towers of fresh finger sandwiches, delicate cakes, warm scones with jam and Scottish clotted cream and an endless supply of loose-leaf tea, it is a truly indulgent affair.
In what was once the estate’s former dairy just 100 metres from the main house, the Beinn Bar showcases some terrific local tipples in a relaxed and cosy, pub-like environment, whilst the stylish, peachcoloured Bo & Muc Brasserie next door offers a casual dining experience inspired by seasonality. Guided by a field-to-fork ethos and using meat and fresh produce from Torridon’s very own farm, the menu offers simple light lunches and more sophisticated dishes at dinner, featuring the likes of local seatrout, Highland Wagyu beef, local venison and fresh vegetables from the garden.
No stay at The Torridon would be complete without an evening spent in its 3 AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, 1887. Named after the year the hotel was built, this romantic, intimate space offers a tasting menu carefully crafted by talented head chef, Danny Young. Creative dishes are beautifully presented and exude flavours that tell the tale of the local land and lochs. The experience starts with a selection of exquisite ‘snacks’, followed by imaginative dishes such as a theatrical mushroom ‘tea’ made with charcoal oil and rosemary; barbecued langoustine with black garlic, yuzu gel and a rich, silky hollandaise; and a hefty hand dived scallop with buerre blanc and dill oil. The finishing touch is a mouth-watering selection of the finest Scottish cheeses.
For a dining experience like no other, Dream Escape ’s Travel Designers can arrange for The Torridon’s library – an atmospheric space filled with antiques, old books and flickering candlelight – to be transformed into an exclusive private dining room. It can seat up to twelve, but is particularly romantic for two.
After a delicious meal, there’s nothing quite like cosying up by the roaring fire in the beautiful drawing room and enjoying a night cap before retiring. Soon, after a peaceful night’s sleep in The Torridon’s famously comfortable beds, it will be time to draw back the curtains and reveal that magical Scottish scene once more, before another unforgettable day spent enjoying the Highlands and all that this very special hotel has to offer.
Words | Sophie Farrah
