Last Updated on September 19, 2024 by Leah Hall
Our stay at Glenmorangie House Scotland was magical and a definite boutique hotel visit you need to make!
Our visit to Glenmorangie House was an indulgence in extraordinary travel and culinary experience. The boutique Scottish hotel, Glenmorangie House Scotland is located in the remote Highlands. We know whisky lovers will be enchanted by the friendly staff and beautiful surroundings with fields of barley and tranquil beaches.
Plus, Glenmorangies’ international reputation speaks for itself. We are sure you know of Glenmorangie Whisky, and a complimentary tour of the distillery to see the whisky production is included in your stay. See all about the Whisky Regions of Scotland!
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The hotel overlooks the rugged shores of Dornoch Firth and this 17th century house is both luxurious and intimate. They have everything you would expect from a 5 star hotel, but with warmth and personality of being at a country house party. Check out Glenmorangie Distillery, Holyrood Distillery, Blair Athol and Lindores Abbey Distillery, too!
Glenmorangie House Hotel
There are 9 bedrooms, 6 double en-suite rooms in the main house and 3 cottage rooms at the rear of the house in the courtyard. Interior designers Russell Sage Studio has made Glenmorangie House joyful. The designers wove in the essence of Glenmorangie’s single malt whisky into the house, through colors and unique flavor-inspired bedrooms.
Two of the large bedroom suites look out to the front of the estate and behind the house are cozy cottages ideal for families or guests with pets. All rooms in the house are furnished as a Scottish country home should be be. This decor consists of tweed, tartan, brocade and velvet fabric, antique wooden furniture and bright colors which gives a warm and cozy feeling.
The main public rooms celebrate Glenmorangie’s creation, and each of the 4 main rooms have a theme of the whisky. The morning room is barley, the breakfast room water, dining room fire and the last wood.
The morning room invokes being in a field of barley. The walls and ceiling are covered in gold, with hand-painted wild flowers on the walls amongst bees and butterflies, sofas of burnished orange, and a barley field along the mantelpiece. There is also local barley handwork in frames and we saw new things every time we took a walk through the house.
There are no formalities at Glenmorangie House Scotland. Room doors are left unlocked, not a key in sight (unless you want one), staff know your name, no TVs, a real fires each evening and there is even a room full of every size of wellington boot and Barbour jacket for guests to use while tromping outside.
The dining room is created to reflect the extreme heat of Glenmorangie’s copper stills with red walls and melting orb-like light fixtures.The Breakfast room has a copper fireplace that apparently puts out a LOT of heat. The Wood Room is light green in dominant color, but with a lot of patterns and fun decor.
Other bedroom themes to bring Glenmorangie whisky to life are Home highlighting Glenmorangie Original, Wild Wood for Quinta Ruban’s “Forest of Flavors” with a deep green chaise lounge, William Morris acanthus wallpaper and forest paintings. The other main house bedrooms are Reserve, Sunset and Autumn. We had Nectar, so keep on reading!
Staying at Glenmorangie House
This boutique Highland hotel is a sensory playground to immerse in the delicious and wonderful world of Glenmorangie. We definitely felt this in our room full of Scottish character, the Nectar Room. Florals, pinks, velvet fabrics and little special touches abound all over. Great views out to the front drive, the ocean and the back courtyard. It was so quiet and luxurious, I still regret not having time for a bath in that amazing tub!
There are guests that return year after year, and we definitely can see why. The bedrooms are fantasy, like Nectar is dense and bright patterns, evoking an old-fashioned French patisserie. These are flavors Glenmorangie’s master distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden, has used in creating his new whiskies. Another room, Reserve, is based on the distillery’s 19-year spice and tropical fruit flavored Reserve, uses fantasy of being shipwrecked on an imaginary desert island, and why there is a painted tiger hidden in the wardrobe.
The giraffes are everywhere, and if you feel confusion as to why giraffes are in the Scottish highlands, there is a reason. The giraffe refers to the tall copper stills at Glenmorangie Distillery which are the highest of any distillery in Scotland, said to be as tall as a fully grown male giraffe.
You obviously know we wouldn’t stay somewhere without amazing food and drink options. Glenmorangie House Scotland is a standout in both categories. Dinner is an option when booking, and we encourage you to definitely do the 4 course dinner when you can. We did it both nights and it blew our socks off!
As a word of caution, the dining style may not be to your liking. The dining set up is to eat at a communal dining table in the dining table at a set time with a set meal, though they do accommodate to allergies and vegetarians. There is no formal dress code enforced but everyone does make an effort to dress up.
Food and Drink
The food at Glenmorangie House Scotland is created with the same passion as their whiskies are. They use the best local produce and Scottish fare to create an experience that can be enjoyed over and over. This is not a restaurant, and lunches are on your own, or they can pack a basket to take with you. Ingredients are all sourced locally, meat from Fearn and Black Isle, Scottish seafood like Orkney scallops, langoustines from Plockton and dishes are created with thought of seasonality.
The evening meal starts in the morning room for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers. A whisky cocktail, beer, rare drams of single malts or softs are offered. This is a great time to introduce yourself to the other dinner guests, and have some pre-dinner conversation. The first night we were served a tofu based amuse bouche with our cocktails. We tried a Glenmorangie Old Fashioned, and the Aurora’s Apple with Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve, lemon juice and Appletiser.
That night we had some delicious food beginning with warm Cadboll bread with lemon miso whipped butter. The meal started with a Saffron Polenta with wild mushroom, artichokes and goat’s cheese. Since we did the whisky pairing we got Glenmorangie Tusail to sip.
The second course was Orkney Scallops with blaggis, cauliflower, leeks and pea shoots. This lovely and light course was paired with a Glenmorangie 19 year.
The main course was Fearn Lamb with charred cabbage, Girolles (chantrelles), féves (beans) and ras el hanout spice. Paired with a Glenmorangie Spios, this was my favorite pairing of the night.
We then finished the meal with a dessert of Strawberry and Lavender Mille-Feuille and gelato paired with Glenmorangie Nectar D’or, which was our room theme!
The second evening we again started in the Barley room before dinner. We sipped on a Garden Delight with Glenmorangie original, lemon juice, elderflower cordial and Moët & Chandon. As well as a Pommé Patisserie with Nectar D’or, dry cider and ginger ale.
Our dinner was more intimate this night with just 6 of us. (It was 10 the night before). We again started with bread and a red pepper butter. First course was a Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Risotto topped with pine nuts and paired with Glenmorangie Tribute.
Next was a Butter Fried Balintore Lobster Tail with a poached apple, King Oyster mushrooms and beurre noisette sauce. It was paired with Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate (the barley in the fields outside!)
The main course was a Fillet of Highland Beef (yes, a coo). With cauliflower miso puree, baby corn, Chanterelle mushrooms and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban jus, it was paired with the same whisky. This was my favorite pairing that night.
Dessert was a (huge!) Glenmorangie Signet Créme Brulée with a vanilla coffee gel and popping candy. This was paired with Glenmorangie Signet. I couldn’t finish all mine, but Jay did!
After Dinner
After dinner, the staff encourages you to the Wood Room for after dinner sips, snacks and conversation. Both nights it was just 6 of us having sips of whisky or wine and having great conversations about our jobs, families and life.
They always lay a fire in this room, every night no matter the weather. It is cozy and cheerful and just a great place to wind down the evening. This also gives a chance to try any of the Glenmorangie expressions you haven’t tried, as well as Ardbeg. We got to try some Glenmorangie from Sherry casks (my favorite) that I had never had. There is also tea and coffee offered if that is what you would like instead.
Breakfast at Glenmorangie
Breakfast is included at Glenmorangie House Scotland even if you don’t add on the dinner option. There is a great continental offering of fruit, yoghurt, cheese, cold meats and smoked salmon, cereal, bagels and pastries. Fresh juices like orange, apple, pineapple and cranberry, as well as coffee are available.
You can order a hot breakfast plate as well including porridge, omelettes, avocado toast, a variety of benedicts, and a full Scottish.
Things to Do
The Cadboll Estate, where Glenmorangie House is located, is right near the ocean, surrounded by barley fields. There is plenty to do in the area, and Glenmorangie House staff are happy to arrange things to do for you.
The ethos at Glenmorangie House is that it is “your own home” to enjoy. The aim is to give guests what they want from their stay with space and peace to relax. They will offer a concierge service if needed, and there is no shortage of activities for unforgettable experiences.
Adventures could be the Glenmorangie Distillery tour (included in your stay), picnics, archery, clay pigeon shooting, cocktail classes, stargazing and no doubt anything else you might require. They can also arrange transfers from Inverness airport or train station.
The location is great if you are wanting to explore the Highlands as well. Take a walk on the beach, play a round of golf, forage with the chefs. From playing one of the best links courses in the world at Royal Dornoch, fishing for wild Scottish salmon, Dunrobin Castle, Fearn Abbey, Skelbo castle or Carn Liath.
Also, check out the Cadboll Stone, which is found on a short stroll down the beach. Head down the tree lined green path to the gate at the bottom and head down the cliff to the beach. Head south along the beach path and you will find the stone.
Make sure to spend time outside amidst the 13th-century ruined castle around the house, in the gardens and on the patio. There is a walled kitchen garden as well.
Guests with Disabilities
This may not be a good option for those with disabilities. There are a lot of steps everywhere in the estate. I am not sure about the cottages, but all the main house rooms are upstairs with no elevator access.
Glenmorangie House
Cadboll, By Fearn, Ross-shire IV20 1XP
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Check out some more great hotels we have visited Hotel Alma in Minneapolis, Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis, and Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch in Utah.
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