Intro

Located just outside Nairn on the Moray Firth, and a convenient 20 minutes’ drive from Inverness airport, Boath House enjoys an ideal location from which to explore the beautiful (and underrated) north east coastline and country. Often regarded as the sunniest place in Scotland, there are around the firth many historic places to visit, plus sports and leisure for all ages and interests. Visit Loch Ness, try dolphin watching, explore the Highland whisky trail, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle of Macbeth fame, or check out the 28 or so golf courses within a one hour radius. It's a fine setting.

A wee bit of history

Once described as “the most beautiful Regency house in Scotland,” this Georgian mansion was designed in 1820 for the Dunbar family by Archibald Simpson of Aberdeen, reputed to be the leading architect of his day. A 15th century tower, mentioned in the court circulars of Mary Queen of Scots, formerly stood on this site. The grade A listed property was on Historic Scotland’s ‘endangered list’ in the early 1990s when Don and Wendy Matheson found it, fell in love with it, and set about restoring Boath to its original architectural splendour.

The hotel

Boath House is quite simply, and without a trace of exaggeration, a magnificent country manor. It’s a kind of palace in miniature, one which may well take your breath away. Meander up the drive, surrounded by 20 acres of woodland and elegant landscaped gardens, and you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Palladian pillars of the entrance porch. The crunch of the car tyres on the pink stone gravel brings a young man out to assist with luggage and the Guide was led inside. The spacious and grand Hall is stuffed with antique furniture, portraits and contemporary art; there’s no reception desk so it was straight up the blue-carpeted, curving staircase to our beautifully decorated bedroom. We can relax here later, but first it’s time to explore the house and garden.

Downstairs there are two cosy and comfortable Lounges. We sit having Earl Grey tea and home-made cake in the sunny Drawing Room (at the front of the house) with its traditional fireplace, Indian rugs and sink-into sofas and curl-up-and-read-armchairs. The colour-scheme works around warm, rich tones of gold, terracotta and tobacco brown, and everywhere – from floor to ceiling – are oil paintings, watercolour landscapes, sculpture, ceramics and art work.

Wendy and Don have established – and keep adding to – their own personal collection of contemporary art which offers a permanent exhibition in their home for all to enjoy. In addition, there is a seasonally changing display of art for sale, displayed all around the house, in the Lounges, Hall, Library and Dining Room. As well as filling the house with vibrant style and colour, the in-house gallery is a superb opportunity to promote Scottish artists to visitors from around the world.

The Garden, too, is a work of art. Also painstakingly restored are the extensive parklands, herbaceous flower borders and the Victorian walled garden, and all to its period design. Enjoy the immaculate lawns, trickling streams, large trout lake graced by swans and ducks, and wander into the kitchen garden – where much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown – and over to the woodland with its charming row of beehives (taste the home-made honey for breakfast). In the summer you can sit outside on the Terrace for a coffee or chilled drink and play croquet on the lawn. And yes, cucumber sandwiches too, if you fancy.

Plus+Point

Apart from the art exhibitions, the Mathesons are also keen on music and arrange seasonal concerts and recitals.

Bedrooms

This intimate hotel boasts just 6 plush bedrooms and suites. No wonder it has such homely ambience. Every bedroom has been individually and meticulously decorated to offer sumptuous fabrics, drapes, cushions and furnishings. Extremely spacious Lake View Rooms have four-poster beds and enormous bathrooms; Lake View Room No. 4 has gorgeous crimson bed drapes and a red chaise longue, complemented by honey-coloured tweed upholstery and furry cushions; plus a freestanding bath and separate shower cubicle. Lake View Room No. 3 offers a fabulously stylish terracotta-toned bathroom with twin, free-standing Victorian claw-foot baths.

Other bedrooms, equally pretty and charming in style and décor, have garden and woodland views, 7-foot kingsize beds and luxury bathrooms. For a little more privacy and space, check into the cosy Mickle Cottage hidden along the garden path; it offers a separate lounge with leather sofas, rather dramatic bedroom and two bold bathrooms.

All bedrooms feature the old and new: antique furniture sits alongside modern art, a CD player, TV and direct dial telephone. There’s a tea / coffee tray. En-suite bathrooms offer soft white towels, bathrobes and top quality Aveda toiletries. For more details of the rooms click here.

Dining

Dining at Boath House is a gastronomic experience. Award-winning head chef Charles Lockley has won a rare 4th AA rosette in the 2006/7 gradings, and received the Chef Médaille d’Or for outstanding dinner service at the 2006 Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards. A smart casual dress code applies in the handsome matt red Georgian Restaurant which offers a quietly romantic mood, with candlelight and views over the trout lake to soothe. Lockley and his team create an innovative, modern Scottish 5-course table d’hôte menu (£45) featuring top-notch local seafood, beef, poultry, game and artisan cheese, home-grown fruit and vegetables.

This is a place for foodies and yet it’s not over the top. It’s all about freshly cooked dishes, composed and presented with true passion, imagination and flair. Wendy Matheson, also a trained chef, is leader of the Slow Food Movement in the Highlands and Morayshire Convivium, an event bringing together many local food and drink producers. At Boath House knowing the source of food is not just important, but a core value.

The daily changing dinner menu describes the provenance of many dishes. At dinner you might taste Sweet Potato, Carrot and Garlic Soup; or West Coast Seared Scallops on a Bed of Crushed Peas and Coriander; or Fillet of Seabass with Puy Lentils with Caper Berry Dressing; or Organic Lamb from Shetland served with Cassoulet of Black Beans and Kidneys. Then the cheese board, precisely labelled, offers Strathdon Blue, Orkney Grimbister and Cheddar from the Isle of Mull. Finish perhaps with a very light but mouthwatering dessert such as a creamy Pannacotta with Rhubarb and Orange Crisps. The wine list offers a good selection under £20 and house wines at around £15, with plenty of scope for going posher.

Recently opened is The Orangerie, a sunny conservatory, for casual dining, where a two or three course bistro lunch is served. Lunch is also served in the Restaurant.

Breakfast

quite rightly, is treated with the same respect as the superb dinner the night before. Everything is served at the table. There's no buffet. This is a feast fit for royalty – expect really fresh orange juice, creamy porridge (the fat oats are from Golspie) with a drizzle of cream and honey; then devilled mushrooms (picked from the garden); or scrambled free-range eggs (collected from their own hens) served with smoked salmon from Achiltibuie and home made bread. Have we whetted your appetite, by any chance? Boath House won the Scottish Hotel Breakfast of the Year 2007 award (jointly with Ardeonaig Hotel) at The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards .

Leisure / Spa

Boath House has its own compact yet comprehensive Aveda Health and Beauty Spa which adds glamour to this magnificent wee country house hotel. The Spa features a double Jacuzzi and a sauna. Give your mind, body and spirit a real and healthy boost with an 'Elemental Nature' facial, an 'Essential' back treatment, or a stress-relieving massage. There are half and full day packages for (literally) top to toe treatments; or why not indulge in a 'Himalayan Rejuvenation Treatment' based on ancient Indian healing arts to release tension and calm the mind?

Links

We hope that you find these local links helpful:

VisitNairn.com local website

Cawdor Castle atmospheric and interesting!

Findhorn Foundation remarkable local community

Benromach Distillery & Visitor Centre very fine whisky

Nairn Dunbar Golf Club highly-rated golf course

Nairn Highland Games tossing the caber each August

Receptions / Events

For a very romantic and intimate wedding, Boath House is happy to organise and host your special day from the ceremony or blessing to the reception. With just 6 bedrooms, the house is perfect for all-inclusive use. There is also a board room for small business conferences and meetings.

The Reviewer’s View Vivien Devlin

"The Mathesons spent 10 years on this major restoration project and they deserve every accolade - not only for architectural heritage, but also for creating an utterly unique place in which to stay. Every aspect of the hotel is simply exquisite. Homely and relaxing without faff and fuss, yet with a touch of glamour and artistic style. No wonder Boath House has been named by the AA as one of the top 200 hotels in the UK. Wendy and Don are delightful, welcoming hosts who personally look after guests, serving drinks in the lounge, waiting at table, valet parking cars and carrying luggage. It does not feel like an hotel at all - their beautiful home creates a private house party atmosphere, as if staying with friends. And the icing on the cake? Eating at Boath is a gastronomic joy and inspiration.”

Note This hotel was awarded a listing by HotelReview™ | Scotland and has been fully reviewed by the Guide; this includes a full overnight stay followed up by quarterly quality control checks and ongoing feedback from readers. As a reviewed hotel, its Look & Book Box™ features are ONLINE and any awards made by the Guide are published above. The star grading has been awarded by the Scottish Tourist Board, VisitScotland.

Your opinion? There’s a link to a Reader’s Review form at the top and left side of this page. It only takes a moment to send the Guide your views via the small panel that will pop-up. You can be as brief or as fulsome as you wish! Your views go to the Editor, who will acknowledge your response within a few days. He may edit feedback. Reports do not go directly online. You can be named or remain anonymous. At Scotland’s most-read hotel guide we greatly value the tremendous feedback we have from our readers. Thanks!

Disability Information: All ground floor areas of the house are wheel chair accessible and we have a disable toilet on there too. The cottage is fitted our for wheelchair access, etc. There is a portable bath lift for the roll top bath and the patio is also accessible.

Ghàidhlig: Bidh Ghàidhlig ri fhaighinn an seo a dh’aithghearr! Tapa leibh.

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