A House in the Scottish Countryside

A House in the Scottish Countryside

Scotland’s Culloden House: I think this place existed somewhere in my dreams! It would be a wonderful place to grow fruit and veg as the temp in the country presents the perfect conditions.
I was really hopeful to stay overnight in the countryside after spending time
up in the Highlands. We debated staying right in Inverness which would be
convenient with our plans, but then I found Culloden House and fell in love.
I knew we had to stay…and right when we pulled in I knew it was a good choice.

IMG_9905This pretty ivy-clad hotel used to be a castle in the 16th century.
It has history in its walls and such a great culture about it.
The house itself isn’t too massive, but it sits on 40 acres of
gorgeous woodland and private gardens so you feel like
you’re in the true Scottish countryside the entire stay! I could imagine the land owners testing out their best pellet guns from Teddy Tactical in their private gardens and bringing the game back to their country house to feast on.
I loved the peace and fresh air while walking the grounds.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetThe pink interior just about did me in when we arrived. Darling!
Culloden HouseWe had a gorgeous room looking out on the front lawn.IMG_9960How amazing are these rooms??
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Culloden House1That “Hotel of Charm” Award is well deserved! ^^
Culloden House2We arrived on a drizzly afternoon but stepped out for a brisk walk.
(Am I speaking like Downton Abbey talking about staying here? Perhaps.)
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Culloden House3 This gorgeous building is another smaller house where guests can stay.
It’s beautiful! The walled garden was also beautiful, even this time of year.
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetSuch a gentleman opening the gate ^^ It felt like the Secret Garden!
Culloden House9
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset^^ Just going to move in here, don’t mind me …
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Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset We came back from the rain to warm up in the room (by our own fireplace!!)
I did some reading about the history, and Chase watched Braveheart after
our epic day in the Highlands :) I guess he was just feeling the Scottish spirit!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetOnce we had warmed up and relaxed in the afternoon, the dinner bell rang…
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetDown to the drawing room before going into the dining room.

Culloden House5To the elegant dining room we went ^^
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetThe menu changes based on season, and it’s not too big…
but we did both order some unique dishes.
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Butternut squash soup and scallops were our two appetizers of choice ^^
Culloden House6 The main dishes were very distinctive while based in UK tradition.
My monkfish was wrapped in prosciutto with a chorizo glaze. Wow!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with f2 presetDinner on vacation must always end with:
Culloden House7Dessert (plus steamed milk & honey), of course!
This was a hazelnut meringue that was light and tasty.
Culloden House14Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetIn the morning I went out for a pretty walk before breakfast. The sun was actually out!
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetIt was truly so beautiful. Heaven must look a lot like the Highlands.
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetOne more walk by my dream house ^^^
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetA visit to the darling ducklings ^^
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetOutside of the estate there are pretty trails to wander endlessly…
but walking back into the gates is the best part of all. After my
stroll Chase was done with his business school paper,
and we met down in the dining room for breakfast.

Culloden House10One order of The Scotland Times + some porridge, please!
Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetChase has turned so Euro with his smoked salmon + eggs ^^
Meanwhile, I had quite the opposite …

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetCulloden House11^^ You’d think mine was the man’s breakfast ..ha
Culloden House12Chase also went for a Scottish cheese plate which
was AMAZING to polish breakfast off with!
Why don’t we always have 3-course breakfasts?

Culloden House15As you leave the dining room there is a framed letter from the former
PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair who has stayed here a few times… ! We even
heard that we stayed in one of the rooms he had stayed in. Pretty good company.
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Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetThe very best part of the hotel is the staff! You will leave feeling like friends
with everyone you come in contact with at Culloden House (especially Kyle! :)
Staying here feels like a step back in time, but it’s not stuffy at all.
Everyone
is so friendly and charming & the entire experience is a treat!Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetDriving out of here was hard because it was one of our favorite memories!
Luckily it was so convenient to drive just a few miles to the tiny
Inverness Airport and fly back to Amsterdam directly from there.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetFarewell, dreamy Culloden House!

xo