7 minute read
Spotlight on... Aberturret Estate House
Glenturret Estate introduces a new exclusive-use historic Scottish dower house on the Glenturret Estate with a Michelin-starred gastronomic experience…
The Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, has just launched Aberturret Estate House on The Glenturret’s Crieff property. Formerly the dower house of the Murray Clan, the owners and founders of the Glenturret Distillery more than 260 years ago, the house has undergone sensitive and extensive refurbishment and can now be hired to Dream Escape guests for exclusive use.
Aberturret Estate House is a beautiful private hideaway within walking distance to two-Michelin-starred The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant in the heart of the Glenturret Distillery. With six bedrooms, accommodating up to 12 guests, nestled in the picturesque heart of rural Perthshire, Aberturret Estate House seamlessly blends the allure of country living with the refinement of a luxurious retreat. It features open fires, fabrics of the finest Scottish quality, the warmth of an Aga, and a formal dining room with a cocktail bar, so guests can lean back and enjoy the very best of Scottish hospitality.
For guests staying at Aberturret Estate House, Dream Escape Travel Designers will arrange preferential access at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, an exquisite dining experience situated within The Glenturret Distillery, the first of its kind worldwide.
Or, for those who seek a more intimate dining experience within the comfort of home, private catering can be arranged inside the house.
John Laurie, Managing Director at The Glenturret, tells Dream Escape “Aberturret Estate House is a beautiful and traditional Scottish estate property. It is where we want our guests to relax, gather with friends and family and experience the very best that Scotland has to offer. We have been inspired by the historic estate and The Glenturret Distillery, the breathtaking scenery and gardens. In the restoration of the house, we have unlocked forgotten history and connected with our Clan Murray roots. It has now been rejuvenated to provide our guests with a comfortable private home and an extraordinary gastronomic experience that respects the seasons and the local terroir.”
Four king-size and two double en-suite bedrooms have been thoughtfully designed, featuring a mix of bespoke furniture as well as antique pieces, creating a sanctuary of comfort and relaxation. With luxury Egyptian cotton bed linen and Lovat Mill throws, each room offers scenic country views.
It is a cocooning space that is both welcoming and refined. Artwork has been provided by The Fine Arts Society Edinburgh, dating back to the 1800s, with artists such as Joseph Farquharson, Edward Arthur Walton, George Harvey and Sir Edwardo Paolozzi. All art on display is available to purchase.
Outside of gastronomy, Dream Escape guests can also partake in exclusive activities arranged by the Aberturret Estate House team. Whether it is a BBQ in the 3-acre garden, private distillery tour, exploring the gateway to the Highlands either on foot or (off road) driving, archery, fishing or golf –the surroundings of Aberturret Estate House offer a genuine treasure trove of activities.
The Glenturret was acquired by the Lalique Group, in association with Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, in 2019. Ever since, and thanks to the new owners at its side, the brand has gained international renown for its single malt whiskies; opened the first Michelin-starred restaurant located inside a distillery – and has also added a gin to their offering.
The opening of Aberturret Estate House proudly joins Lalique’s and Mr Wyss’ high-end hospitality offering, including Silvio Denz’s classified red wines from Saint-Émilion and white wines from Sauternes and Bordeaux, grown organically with the best environmental and biodynamic practices. Mr Wyss’ Halter Ranch is an organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary terroir-driven wine made with the finest organic grapes in Paso Robles (USA). Not unlike The Glenturret, Halter Range offers guests exclusive lodging options, including an historic farmhouse and luxury cottages, as well as a restaurant focussing on regional ingredients and organic produce.
Silvio Denz, Chairman of the Lalique Group says, “I am proud we can breathe new life into this classic Scottish estate house entwined with all the history of the Murray clan.
Aberturret Estate House is perfectly situated a short walk to The Glenturret, its two-Michelin-star restaurant and worldclass shopping at the Lalique boutique nestled in the heart of this ancient distillery. It provides our guests with a unique experience – one that is unmatched in Scotland and joins Mr Wyss and my other establishments: Halter Ranch in Paso Robles (USA), Villa René Lalique, Château Hochberg (Alsace) and Château LafauriePeyraguey (Bordeaux) in providing the very finest in hospitality and gastronomy.”
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant
The first Michelin-starred fine-dining experience in a distillery worldwide
Enjoy a multicourse gastronomic experience in a beautiful six-table dining room overlooking the tumbling waters of the River Turret, surrounded by green pastures and hilly peaks. Passion, produce, provenance and a splash of playfulness are the key ingredients that run through the innovative and imaginative tasting menu served by Chef Mark Donald at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant.
Mark has impeccable culinary credentials, having held positions at some of the world’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants, including Noma, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Hibiscus London and, most recently, Number One at the Balmoral in Edinburgh.
“When I first heard about the job, I immediately thought I’d be making shortbread and haggis bon bons! I knew, however, I needed to smash people’s expectations and mine too. So, the team and I spent time learning about the processes involved and tasting the whiskies. We then played around with the sugary barley water and realised it could taste like treacle so that’s what we put on the Malted Barley Loaf we serve. We’ve also made a barley soya sauce in aged peat-smoked whisky barrels, a barley miso to marinate meats and fish, and whisky is used in some of the puddings.”
The Glenturret distillery tour
Visit scotland’s oldest working distillery
The Glenturret have preserved the traditional methods of whisky-making for generations to come. They craft their whiskies by hand and heart using time-honoured methods. Tour experiences offer Dream Escape guests the chance to get up close to the production areas at every stage of the whisky-making process.
For everyone who arrives at Scotland’s oldest working distillery there is an experience to enjoy...
Annika Busam Travel Design Manager
Whisky is the lifeblood of Scotland, and with Glenturret being one of the oldest working singlemalt distilleries, the opening of Aberturret House is incredibly exciting. With the distillery being in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, it is my personal favourite for a visit at any time of the year and a memorable distillery to visit for our clients. From the fabulous whisky itself to the fantastic dining option of The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant and outstanding sights to visit, this promises to be an fabulous home away from home.
Words | Sian Williams
