Cameron House, Loch Lomond — resort overview

The 17^th-century Cameron House Hotel, rising dramatically from forests and mountains on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow — or so it appears. In actuality, this action-packed five-star resort is only a 30-minute drive away from Scotland’s second metropolis.

That means inside an hour of stepping off one of many each day Emirates flights from Dubai, you may dive proper in to a myriad of actions – from flying falcons to recognizing otters of their pure habitat and hovering over the rugged West Coast whisky isles within the UK’s solely seaplane.

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The resort gives loads of alternatives to decelerate and sprawl out too, with a big swimming pool on-site and an intensive hydro spa (complimentary for visitors) only a brief shuttle experience away.

At Cameron House, luxurious meets journey, mixing the fantastic thing about Scotland with an array of exhilarating experiences. Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker, a wannabe William Wallace, or simply trying to unwind surrounded by nature, it’s a resort that has one thing for everybody.

Middle East Traveller checked in to a Loch View Studio Suite at Cameron House for a weekend of Highland climbing, looking with hawks and boat rides throughout the 24-mile Loch Lomond.

The Hotel

Steeped in centuries of historical past, Cameron House stands on the location of a humble 14th-century stone maintain that advanced over tons of of years into the grand residence of Tobias Smollett, a novelist hailed by George Orwell as Scotland’s best.

Famous figures together with Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden and Empress Eugenie of the House of Bonaparte all stayed right here through the constructing’s years as a personal residence – with music legends U2, Cher and Take That amongst these reserving a mattress in newer years whereas taking part in gigs in close by Glasgow.

The Smolletts are lengthy gone – as are the grizzly bears, bison, and Tibetan yak that when roamed the grounds due to the household’s love of animals – however a deep sense of historical past stays.

Sketches and pictures exhibiting the constructing’s centuries-long transformation line cosy, tartan-carpeted corridors that run between the primary constructing and newer extensions accommodating a number of the resort’s rooms, eating places and health amenities.

The constructing has withstood the check of time – remaining firmly planted on the lochside by two World Wars, the reigns of 11 monarchs and all the UK’s 57 prime ministeres – however now on its two hundredth anniversary 12 months there’s a contemporary breeze blowing by Cameron House.

With a brand new Resort Director on the helm, the property is inserting a pointy deal with its culinary providing, with tantalising hints of recent eating places on the horizon.

The Arrival

After a fast automobile journey from Glasgow and a turn-off onto the Cameron House driveway, the resort comes into view amid towering spruce bushes and manicured lawns.

The constructing – immediately reverse the atmospheric Loch Lomond – is strikingly near the water’s edge, which means rooms supply largely unobscured views over the water and surrounding hills (though you may be capable of glimpse a number of bushes relying on the season).

Park up on the resort’s elevated round driveway and let the kilted doormen deal with your automobile, then ascend the grand entrance steps previous gothic stained glass home windows into a sublime, wood-panelled foyer that’s stuffed with tartan touches.

Roaring fireplaces, darkish leather-based chairs and lighting options hanging from low ceilings evoke the cosy feeling of being in a personal dwelling slightly than a resort — a welcome respite from the notoriously chilly Scottish climate exterior.

An intimate bar house tucked simply off the foyer gives beneficiant views by tall home windows over grounds that characteristic a marina and nine-hole golf course, in addition to comfy curved cloth sofas you may sink into whereas having fun with the resort’s signature collection of whiskies.

In the library subsequent door, the place afternoon tea is served, intricate hand-printed wallpaper with leaves and blooms picked out in gold is lit warmly by rows of chandeliers, giving a traditional attraction to the house.

The Room

The resort has 208 rooms, with 14 within the Seventeenth-century Auld Hoose constructing and the remainder in a sequence of wings that stretch off the foyer. All supply views of both the resort grounds or Loch Lomond, and a few have balconies perched on high of turrets with out of doors eating tables for breakfast with a aspect of the Highlands hills.

Newer rooms profit from massive open-plan residing areas, whereas the unique ones – all suites – are cosier with darkish, trendy interiors drawing from a palette of purples, greys and reds. In the Loch View Studio Suite, an armchair within the steeply arched window cove is the right nook for a day spent studying whereas searching over the water.

Local touches are plentiful, together with bespoke artwork from the Glasgow-based design studio Timorous Beasties, plus luxurious cashmere throws from the nice woollen model Johnstons of Elgin. If you’re staying in a set and don’t need to spend any time unpacking earlier than hitting the actions, the workers can deal with that for you too.

The Service

Service shines all through, however significantly on the resort’s eating places and grand entrance the place workers with out airs mix hospitable heat with a touch of native appeal.

At the Cameron Grill restaurant, the eccentric manager Marco is the life and soul of the eating room, even leaping as much as the microphone to croon out a music with the reside jazz duo because the night time nears its finish.

The tartan-clad doormen are recognized for going above and past, handing out teddies to kids and as soon as even coaxing in a Highland Cow for an American visitor who dreamed of nothing greater than seeing one of many famously fluffy beasts throughout his Scottish journey.

The Restaurants and Bars

Cameron House has lengthy been a date-night vacation spot for metropolis dwellers in search of high delicacies inside straightforward driving distance of Glasgow, and a renewed deal with eating places means a number of new choices are quickly set to affix the menu — from Asian-inspired pop-ups to Italian deli counters and extra.

For now, Cameron Grill – an intimate, refined steakhouse with bronze leather-based furnishings and white tablecloths – is one of the best spot for dinner, with a well-priced desk d’hôte menu that gives two programs for £65 and the choice so as to add on pudding for one more £10.

Creatively plated starters embrace a refreshing backyard pea panna cotta with a crunch of crispy shallots and fluffy potato croquettes, whereas the fantastically cooked Aberdeenshire Lamb Rump from the primary programs is the clear star of the present.

For vegetarians, the grilled cauliflower in a pool of flavourful coconut laksa is the must-order, as are the distinctive triple cooked chips with truffle and parmesan — the £6 surcharge is greater than price it.

After dinner, head for the Great Scots Bar the place greater than 300 whiskies are served by a group of cask connoisseurs, and amber-lit lockers with title plaques safeguard partially loved bottles for returning visitors (you may declare your personal for 20 instances the value of a single shot).

Afternoon tea on the library is a pleasant celebration of choux, cremeux and Veuve Clicquot, with one creative mix from the wide-ranging menu evoking the flavours of a Highland malt, and one other infusing the sweetness of apple, kiwi, cranberry and coconut with tart bitter cherry.

The Activities

There’s a lot to do, with the resort’s expansive grounds taking part in host to dozens of actions within the air, on water and on land – from archery to clay pigeon taking pictures and bike rent – plus an on-site marina and nine-hole golf course often known as The Wee Demon.

Head out in a Land Rover Defender to discover greater than 400 acres of gorgeous Scottish countryside – or take it straightforward on the hydro spa’s effervescent out of doors pool overlooking the rugged Highlands earlier than exploring the thermal suite’s saunas, steam rooms and ice showers.

Golfers can play the 18-hole Carrick course – which has hosted the Ladies’ Scottish Open, the PGA Cup, and the Europro Tour – whereas 17 spa remedy rooms supply ESPA enzyme facials and coverings that allow the physique to entry a parasympathetic “state of permitting”.

Transfers to the membership and spa run each hour and take a couple of minutes, however in the event you favor to remain put on the fundamental resort constructing there’s a well-sized swimming pool full with a flume and waterslides for teenagers (though we positively went down a number of instances).

In the evenings, strut by the purple velvet curtains of the plush in-house cinema and plump down into a luxurious armchair for complimentary screenings of the most recent movies, with a retro field workplace dishing up buttery popcorn and different candy treats.

During our go to, the most recent blockbusters had been on present in addition to a number of classics from the Golden Age of Hollywood — but when your favorite flick isn’t scheduled, it’s doable to e book out your complete house for the final word film night time.

Why Stay?

Cameron House effortlessly blends conventional Highlands appeal with breathtaking views of Loch Lomond and an intensive vary of actions that assure leisure at each flip.

Just half-hour from Glasgow, this five-star resort gives the right escape to the nation with out a lengthy trek into the wilderness — it’s a quintessentially Scottish expertise inside straightforward attain.

The Essentials

• Rates: Classic Rooms begin at £340 per night time, together with each day breakfast for 2 on the Cameron Grill
• Phone quantity: +44 1389 312210
• Website: cameronhouse.co.uk
• Address: Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Alexandria G83 8QZ, United Kingdom