Definition of rustic flavour

By Donnie Rust

Set in the idyllic heart of Dumfries and Galloway, the former hunting lodge enjoys regular traffic yearround of returning guests who have become familiar with the elegant style and comfort offered here. Quiet, picturesque and comfortable the Trigony Hotel and Garden Spa offers a wonderful ambiance for guests to relax and rejuvenate, be it in the garden, in the hotel or in the spa. While there, I had the opportunity to speak with the co-owners Adam and Wendy as well as meet some of the other guests and staff. I stayed two nights and sampled several items from the menu.

The Location

The Trigony House Hotel & Garden Spa is located just north of Closeburn before the village of Thornhill, in the beautiful Nith Valley, surrounded by the rolling Kier hills and woodlands of Dumfriesshire. Situated about 100 yards from the main road there is limited traffic noise, mostly thanks to the surrounding trees, and a lack of real traffic.

This is a land of rolling hills, where even in the rain there is a calmness about it. Beyond the A76, the roads snakeback through woodlands and fields. These lanes are rural and there are potholes aplenty, so driving diligently is advised. This is after all, a land for exploring the myriads of paths leading around the area either by foot or by pedal.

General Clientele

There is a definite range of guests who come to Trigony and they all seem to leave an impression. Wendy told me of one who spent her stay nesting on the chesterfield in her slippers and gown, cuddled up with a book and a blanket, warmer than a squirrel in winter. Parked outside, I saw classic cars, BMWs, Mercedes and one stricken Lexus that made me think someone had over-trusted their satnav. I saw walkers, cyclers and big-bootgallumphers coming and going during my stay as well as a number of dogs that got their own dining room and menu!

The location in West Scotland, south of Glasgow makes it a great port of call for travellers and road trippers. They host French, Germans, Norwegian and West England travellers seeking the highlands. Usually, those travelling from the south will make a point of stopping at Trigony for a night before heading out into the highlands which get ever more rural and unpopulated the more North you go.

The Room

Decorated in sage green, the room was spacious and dominated by a bay of windows overlooking the picturesque garden which brought to mind Pride and Prejudice scenes. While the boutique design and decoration were certainly pleasing and welcoming, there is a lack of plug sockets and a working desk. While speaking with her, Wendy pointed out there are plans to introduce better working spaces in the rooms, along with additional plug sockets and charging points for various devices.

Very well-travelled herself, Wendy is a borne entertainer with an interest in other people’s stories which has served her well in her varied career. A businesswoman with keen instincts she and her husband Peter had been visiting Trigony for fourteen years before the opportunity to coown the business with Adam came about seven years ago.

Dog Friendly

“The number of digital nomads and nomadic executives that we host are going up,” she says, “We are planning to put something in for them so that they can get work done as needed. The way we work is changing and if we want to host more digimads who are balancing work and leisure we have to be able to offer both to them.”

She went on to explain that for the moment their intention is to keep the workspaces exclusively in the rooms to create a line between work and life. Digital nomads and travelling journalists writing reviews, can do their work in their rooms where the incessant clicking and clacking of keys will not disturb the solace of the other guests.

There are not that many places available that are actually happy to have pets. As Wendy accurately points out, so many places are “dog tolerant” but not many are dog friendly. At Trigony, the dogs get their own welcome bundle of treats in a bowl as well as their own menu. There is plenty of space for them to roam while walking and, for the bigger dogs, plenty of muddy paths in the fields to drag their owners through. Doggy heaven.

Events

Inevitably, given the period-appeal of the location, Trigony is often asked to host events and their event crew, which includes everything from designers to management, have created some spectacular occasions. They’ve hosted events for birthdays, weddings, car touring groups and others. As each one is bespoke created it is worthwhile getting in touch to discuss if you have something in mind.

The Spa

I didn’t get the chance to enjoy the spa, which wasn’t entirely my fault. The plan was to visit Trigony Hotel and Garden Spa with my partner. She’s the connoisseur of all thing’s spa-related and usually reviews them fully while I do the heavy lifting. She was unable to join me this time, and I didn’t bring a bathing suit. I mention that because I didn’t try the hottub either.

The Food

In my experience, the kitchen makes or breaks a stay. As a traveller, when I think about somewhere I’ve visited those memories are always flavoured by the food I’ve eaten there. Good food speaks for itself and Adam, who has been running the kitchen for twenty years, specialises in what Wendy calls “Elevated homecooked food”. A style of cooking not measured in stars but in the number of guests returning annually.

supported by an incredible level of service by the staff (Here’s looking at you Dora, Alistair and Richard) who make the whole experience so satisfying. My table by the window was reserved for 19.00 on the first night and 18.30 on the second. I arrived early both evenings to take some time languishing in the beautiful chesterfields that furnish the adjoining waiting/bar area.

This area is not huge but can comfortably accommodate all of the guests from the nine rooms. I understand the colours are destined to be changed, but I found the dark shades of green on the walls and the grey toned ceiling and wooden floors worked well with the leather chesterfields and scatter cushions.

Immediately acknowledged by the sommelier Richard. I was provided with that night’s menu, told what the specials were, and my drink order was taken. Currently, as I’m writing this, I am training for a power lifting competition, so a good mixture of protein and carbohydrates are a priority for me. I mentioned this to the waiter Alistair, when he came to collect my order and he took the time to consider this, asked me some pertinent questions to establish what my pallet was like and if I’d ever

And, while the quality of food from the kitchen may be enough to win the loyalty of guests, it is tried certain dishes, before recommending what he felt were the best options. He didn’t claim to be a nutritionist, but rather just a fan of the kitchen.

Adam revealed later that this friendly but attentive approach has come about by having a genuine interest in the people visiting the lodge and their stories. It feels a little like you’re mates with a gourmet chef and you’re eating at their house.

The result of this is that it all seems pretty effortless and natural. The first night I enjoyed a marvellous starter of: Seared Pigeon Breast, Stornoway Black Pudding , with mixed leaves, grain mustard balsamic dressing (recommended to be enjoyed with a glass of Kloof Street).

I had already been working on a southern comfort and coke and kept that going. I have to say the tastes worked well together. This was followed by a Roast Loin of Local Wild Venison with Balsamic Braised Red Cabbage, Juniper Red Wine Jus, (recommended to be enjoyed with a glass of Prima mano.) All mains are served with a side of roasted vegetables and bread.

Considering how succulent the venison was, I could have sworn I heard antlers rattling in the kitchen!

The following morning, promptly at 8am I enjoyed a spectacular Scottish Breakfast with poached eggs, sausages, black pudding, bacon and hash brown, and a cafetiere of strong coffee. The perfect way to start the day. Breakfast was arranged via email (or could have been booked on the website) at the check-in process and during my evening meal I was asked my order.

The second night, after a day of gunning around the Kier hills and woodlands of Dumfriesshire in the fancy Lexus I’d organised (our vehicle correspondent remains furious about this), I was famished and decided to try the other side of the menu and opted for a main and a dessert.

Fresh Scottish Sea Trout , served with Shetland Mussels, Leek White Wine & Tarragon (recommended to be enjoyed with a glass of Albarino). For my sweet I had initially gone for the White Chocolate Basque Style Baked Cheesecake, however a last-minute menu change in the kitchen resulted in Belgian Chocolate Basque Style Cheesecake with Black Cherry Sauce becoming my favourite dessert.

According to Adam who has governed the kitchen at Trigony for twenty years, the menu choices have been influenced by a lifelong love-affair with foods from different countries.

“I do have a core repertoire based on my cultural interests and travels,” he explained to me, “I lived in the mediterranean and Europe for a decade and that’s mixed with really good Scottish ingredients and dishes. Plus, I had a lot of friends with Indian parentage as a kid and that has been a big influence.”

He also admits that last minute menu changes really are a thing, “I usually change a couple of dishes each day,” he says, “It keeps things interesting, and encourages guests to try something new and fresh and we also have a great little herb garden that provides a lot of our herbs and soft fruit.”

What I Would Have Liked To See

In terms of the menu, I cannot find fault in anything on it, from the presentation to the taste whatever goes on in that kitchen should not, for any reason, change. However, given that Trigony House was once a hunting lodge, I thought that a big bowl of stew with big chunks of bread would have fitted perfectly on the menu and been a popular option with hikers coming in on colder days.

There has been a lot of effort in creating grounds that are stylish and picturesque, and I counted no less than half a dozen lovely spots outside for a person to sit and read. And that isn’t including the hot tub, which is situated right next to the sauna, just a little walk away from the main building.

However, aside from the Oxford Dictionaries (which have a story behind them), there isn’t a big selection of books. There is a pretty good selection of DVDs, but I felt that this was lost on the sort of people visiting because firstly, all of us would have our phones and devices to watch any film there, and again, it’s just the perfect spot for a book. I mentioned this to Wendy, and she revealed that they actually have boxes and boxes of books that are destined to be read but they’re just waiting for the right bookshelves. So by the time you book they might be there.

What I Really Liked

The comfortable atmosphere. I’d feel as comfortable sitting in the bar room and enjoying dinner in a suit and tie as I would if I was walking around in slippers and pyjamas. Trigony has achieved a wonderful balance of culture and comfort, style and ease that makes a guest feel very welcomed and at home.