Travel Scotland
Enjoy those Field to Fork Flavours on Holiday… Scotland’s Finest Hotels with a Kitchen Garden by Janice Hopper The agricultural community grows much of Scotland’s larder, so when farmers go on holiday, the desire for quality produce, fresh food and low food miles travels with them. To ensure you can dine in the style you’re accustomed to, we’re showcasing the best Scottish hotels with renowned kitchen gardens. Plus, visiting such venues allows farming guests to seek inspiration and see new business models for showcasing their own rural experiences and produce. The Torridon, near Achnasheen thetorridon.com The Torridon is a ‘farm to fork’ resort — its kitchen gardens and
Torridon farm are a key part of the offering. Head Chef, Paul Green, works closely with Head Gardener Bryony Doig. The pair meet weekly to discuss what’s growing well and what will be available for the kitchen, and Paul takes daily walks in the kitchen gardens to get inspiration for the day’s menu. The farm rears Highland Cattle and Tamworth pigs. The pigs are sourced locally, bred in Wester Ross, and reared for around 5-6 months before slaughter. The entire animal, from trotter to snout, is put to good use. The Torridon’s fold of 15-20 Highland Cattle turn the heads of many guests, but the ultimate goal is to provide diners with some of the finest beef in the
land. Combine luxury with fine food in this 18-bedroom castle hotel, set in a 58-acre estate at the end of a magnificent sea loch. Nearby Farming Attraction The wild red deer that live on the mountains of the National Trust for Scotland’s Torridon estate can be pretty hard to spot so, for the last five decades, the trust has kept some deer on its farm for visitors to get close to. nts.org.uk Rufflets, St Andrews rufflets.co.uk Before Rufflets was transformed into a private home in 1924, the ten acres of land was used for agricultural purposes. Rufflets became a luxury hotel in 1952 and, today, gardening masterclasses and garden tours
Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire glenappcastle.com The Earl of Orkney, who first created the Glenapp Estate, was an avid collector of trees and plant life. Another historic owner was May Stock, a wealthy aristocrat, philanthropist and keen horticulturist. In modern times Glenapp Castle is a 21-bedroom hotel, which is launching its Azalea Glasshouse & Bothy Restaurant in May 2022. Venture into the castle’s walled garden to take a seat and dine within the Mackenzie and Moncur Victorian Glasshouse, one of only a few remaining in Scotland, including a similar
Torridon aerial view
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are available at this refined Fife country house that offers two AA rosette dining. A Centenary Garden Project is also underway to mark Rufflets’ hundredth year in 2024. Rufflets’ new Garden Pantry is stocked with seasonal fruit and veg grown in the kitchen garden, fresh flowers from the formal gardens, and hearty pies (including Beef Bourguignon and fish pie). Visitors will be able to buy Rufflets honey and eggs, as well as cuttings to take home. Guests can also visit the hotel chickens - the birds aren’t destined for the table but the eggs make for wonderfully fresh Eggs Benedict at breakfast. Nearby Farming Attraction Horse riding at Barbarafield Farm near Cupar. Classes available for beginners, children and skilled riders alike. barbarafield.co.uk
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