Thursday, 28 June 2007

Best Scotish Hotels


Abbot's Brae Hotel, West Bay, Dunoon, PA23 7QJ, Scotland.
Anchorage Hotel, Shore Road, Sanbank, Holy Loch, Dunoon, Scotland.
Ardfillayne Hotel, Bullwood Road, Dunoon, PA23 7QJ, Scotland.
Argyll Hotel, Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7NE, Scotland.
Enmore Hotel, Marine Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8HH, Scotland.
Esplanade Hotel, West Bay, Dunoon PA23 7HU, Scotland.
Glendaruel Hotel, Clachan of Glendaruel, Dunoon, PA22 3AA, Scotland.
Hunters Quay Hotel, Marine Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8HJ, Scotland.
Mayfair Private Hotel, 7 Clyde St, Dunoon, PA23 8DX, Scotland.
Osborne Hotel, Innellan, Dunoon PA23 7TJ, Scotland.
Royal Marine Hotel, Hunters Quay, Dunoon, PA23 8HJ, Scotland.
St. Ives Hotel, West Bay, Dunoon, PA23 7HU, Scotland.
West End Hotel, West Bay, Dunoon, PA23 7HU, Scotland.
Western Hotel, 60 Victoria Parade, West Bay, Dunoon, Scotland.

Wednesday, 27 June 2007

Best Scottish Hotels - Bonnie Scotland



Best Scottish Hotels -My Tour of Bonnie Scotland

The village of Kirn in Winter
Rest and be thankfull
Scotts Pine
Lochcarron
Inverary Castle
Torridon
The Clyde

Best Scottish Hotels - Enmore Hotel - Dunoon


The Enmore Hotel is an elegant Victorian manor house, near Dunoon in Argyll - this jewel in the crown of Argyll's great little hotels offers luxurious accommodation and outstanding service, making every visit unique and memorable. In a romantic position overlooking the Clyde, and with the Cloch Lighthouse directly opposite on the other side of the river, this hotel's position means that you can see from the mouth of the Clyde right up to the head of the estuary.

This impressive Victorian house has furnishings that are tasteful and luxurious and is run by Robert and Wendy Thomson.

The 10 charming, romantic, beautifully furnished guest rooms epitomise the ultimate in comfort. They are pleasantly old fashioned yet unobtrusively modern, thoughtfully appointed, offering a quite unique traditional ambience, yet with every contemporary comfort, including private bath, television and direct dial telephones, as well as fireplaces in a selection of rooms.

The Enmore Hotelspecialises in Romantic Breaks

The essence of this beautiful landscape has been captured superbly in the hotel - the highest of standards of hospitality and comfort having been carefully and meticulously blended with glorious period pieces, wood panelled fireplaces, wonderfully individual bedrooms and an ambience and atmosphere exuding grace, relaxation, timelessness and tranquillity. You can often hear the silence. It is actually quite difficult to conjure up the remarkable feeling of personal well-being this generates but a regular and growing following of guests from all over the world return again and again, to savour the hotel's and the whole area's therapeutic and enriching qualities.
Rooms
Standard

Room 1 : This is the only bedroom that is situated on the ground floor, at the side of the building with views of the garden.
It has a Queen Size sleigh bed with en-suite bathroom and shower.

Room 3 : This is a compact room with double bed and en-suite shower & toilet with views of the garden.

Room 9 : A twin bedded room at the side of the hotel with views of the garden and the river. It has an en-suite bathroom with a double shower unit.
Superior

Room 4: This is a half tester double bedroom situated at the front of the hotel with a sea view. It has an en-suite whirlpool bathroom

Room 7: This room has an extra large double bed which can be separated to accommodate twin beds. The bedroom is situated above the conservatory and therefore enjoys a lovely additional seating area for guests to enjoy the view of the river.
The en-suite comprises of both a bath and a separate shower unit.

Room 10/11: This room is as versatile as they come. The extra large bed can be divided to accommodate twin beds and has an en-suite bathroom with a double shower unit. It also boasts an adjoining room which has a sofa bed which can easily accommodate two small children or be used to relax in front of the television or play a game of chess.
Romantic

Room 2: This is a large bedroom with a King Size four poster bed which leads down into its en-suite extra large double whirlpool bathroom & shower.

Room 5: A double canopied bed decorated throughout in purple / lilac. It has a sea view from both the bedroom and the en-suite double whirlpool bathroom.

Room 8: A queen size four poster bed looking out to the river with an en-suite double bath complete with gold accessories and a beautiful swan neck tap.

Room 12 :This room has a four poster double bed with lace trimmings and views of the garden. It has an en-suite bathroom with a double Jacuzzi bath and its very own Venus de Milo statue situated in the corner.
This room also has a chaise long for you to recline upon or maybe you would like to relax playing a game of chess which is also displayed in the bedroom.

Thursday, 21 June 2007

Abbots Brae Hotel - Dunoon Argyll


Romantically secluded accommodation set in the tranquil seaside village of dunoon

Nestled high amongst established woodland with sensational views over the Firth of Clyde and surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever see, Abbots Brae has earned for itself an enviable reputation as a luxurious home away from home.


 


Abbot's Brae is a lovely small family-run Hotel situated in its own woodland garden. Eight spacious bedrooms are individually named after places within the stunning Cowal Peninsula, with each room displaying photographs and the history related to the place-name.


Guests always comment on the breathtaking views of the sea and hills and its peaceful secluded setting, yet it is only one mile from Dunoon town center, home to the world's most spectacular Highland Games.


Dunoon is situated at the western gateway to the Loch Lomond National Park, only one hour from Glasgow International Airport and provides a perfect location to explore this outstanding area of the Scottish Highlands.


For delightful short and weekend breaks – and those special pampered romantic breaks in the west of Scotland the hotel has few equals – the perfect escape too from the City of Glasgow. Just ideal for small destination weddings in Scotland, and small corporate events and think tanks too, where our exclusive use packages really comes into their own.


 


best scottish hotels veiw

 


 


 


 


Finest position in the Western Highlands


Built originally, in 1843, as a holiday retreat for an affluent Glasgow glass merchant, the house still maintains many of it's original features. It is set in its own secluded woodland garden with breathtaking views of sea and hills, yet it is only one mile from Dunoon Pier and one hour from Glasgow (via ferry). We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming home from home atmosphere with the emphasis placed on relaxation and comfort.


The grounds of Abbot's Brae plays host to frequent visits of roe deer, red squirrels and an abundance of bird-life, whilst with the ever changing views of the Firth of Clyde makes it hard to look away. Dunoon and the Argyll Forest Park is the Western Gateway to the Loch Lomond National Park which is blessed with lavish land and seascapes and few areas can match it for it's range of leisure opportunities; such as scenic drives, local crafts, rambling, sailing, fishing, hill-walking, boat trips, historical sites, pony-trekking and golf. We will be happy to assist in arranging any of these activities.


Colin and Christine Macpherson


Which Books - truly independent review


"The house and garden enjoy spectacular views..." - Which Books? The Good Bed And Breakfast Guide


"...the rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished." - Which Books? The Good Bed And Breakfast Guide



Rooms at abbots brae


Luxurious Bedrooms


Our eight spacious bedrooms are individually named after places within the stunning Cowal Peninsula, with each room displaying photographs and the history related to the place-name.



All the bedrooms feature *En-suite facilities *Remote control colour television *Radio/Clock alarm *Hospitality tray *Hair dryers *Direct-dial telephones *Individually controlled Central heating.



Of these we have a choice of luxurious four-poster, king-size, double and twin bedrooms and one double bedroom situated on the ground floor.



In line with Scottish Law, smoking is not permitted inside the hotel. A sheltered smoking area is available.



  • Click here for more details on the bedrooms.



The Dining Room




In the dining room, which enjoys impressive open views over the garden and the Firth of Clyde, we offer the best of Scottish ingredients prepared in traditional ways. In the evening our Taste of Scotland accredited three course dinner menu offers a selection of dishes which vary daily.



As we cater mainly for our residents we are able to provide personal and attentive service in a convivial atmosphere. A fully stocked bar and an imaginative wine list is available to compliment your dinner.



The Lounge


After your meal enjoy your coffee or a liqueur in our comfortable Lounge where you can browse our selection of local books, guides and maps, play games or chat.



Wireless Broadband


Wireless broadband internet access available in all bedrooms and public areas.



Rates


for B&B, VIP nights, Exclusive use or Romantic Breaks


 


Bookings

Holly Tree Hotel - Argyll

Holly Tree Hotel from the hills

Stunningly situated by the sea, all twenty bedrooms enjoy magnificent sea views and all are fully ensuite with luxurious fittings and furnishings including their own seating areas. For informal dining our bistro lounge serves great food and drink all day, every day, with an outside decking area on which to sit and enjoy the view of the water and watch yachts sail by. In the evening our Award winning seafood restaurant with breathtaking views of the sea and wonderful fresh seafood varying daily is a must visit destination.


Swimming pool

Enjoy the sparkling water of our own swimming pool or relax in our Finnish saunarium. Golf course and seaside walks nearby. The Hotel also boasts its own pier, where much of the fresh seafood is landed, and is a luxurious location to explore the West Highlands of Scotland.


Hotel from Pier   Holly Tree Hotel




 


Charles Rennie Mackintosh hotel interior design

 


Sea View Bedrooms


Bedroom

All twenty of our bedrooms are extremely spacious and enjoy spectacular uninterrupted views over the sea to the Mountains of Morvern and beyond. Every bedroom has luxurious fittings and furnishings and is equipped to a very high standard and includes:


 


 




  • Luxurious double or twin beds

  • Hairdryer and separate hair straightener

  • Window with uninterrupted sea view

  • Direct dial telephone

  • Fully en-suite with both bath and shower, fully tiled with fine toiletries and fluffy towels

  • DVD player with film library

  • Relaxing lounge area with comfortable chairs

  • Complimentary herbal teas, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and Scottish Shortbread

  • Remote controlled colour television

  • Selection of good reading books

  • Personally compiled full local information file on The Best of Things to See and Do

  • Free use of the swimming pool and Finnish Saunarium



In addition, two of our ground floor rooms have been specially adapted for disabled use.


All of our twenty bedrooms are individually styled and all have interrupted loch views. All rooms have ensuite facilities with wonderful luxurious complimentary toiletries. Bedrooms also have broadband, direct dial telephone, colour television, DVD player, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.



Scottish Tourist Board 3 Stars          Egon Ronay Recommended          Scotland's Personal Hotels          

Bookings

Gaelic - The Language of our Forefathers

Gaelic
The future of Scottish English depends on the degree to which Scots go on using their version of an international language. The future of Gaelic, Scotland's second language, depends purely on whether people speak it or not. It is a completely separate tongue, with its unique vocabulary and grammar, as different from English as are Greek or Polish. But it is in trouble, despite a recent revival in interest. What was a thousand years ago the speech of Scotland's kings has now dwindled to the extent that less than 2 percent of the nation's inhabitants speak it.

The stronghold of Scottish Gaelic--which is closely related to, but quite distinct from, Irish Gaelic--is in the northwest Highlands and in the Western Isles, although large numbers of native speakers live in the Central Belt, especially in Glasgow (over ten thousand). The highest concentration of all occurs on the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The largest town there, Stornoway, is the base for the civic authority, the Western Isles Council (Comhiairle nan Eilean in Gaelic) and the true capital of the Scottish Gaelic-speaking world. Stornoway is the only town where you are likely to hear the language spoken regularly in the street. But even in the rural hinterland, one person in ten has no fluency in it.

Gaelic (pronounced "Gallic" by English-speaking Scots) is taught in schools in the area, and many children still learn it from their parents. But as Donald Maciver, Gaelic-speaking editor of the Western Isles' weekly newspaper, admitted in 1987, the steady decline in the number of speakers has not been halted: "The reality of it is that the kids in the village who once spoke Gaelic don't nowadays. English is the language of the playground."

Gaelic survives as a literary language, thanks to poets like Sorley McLean, Derick Thomson and lain Crichton Smith. But efforts to bring it into the world of commerce, politics and technology are painfully difficult. Mr. Maciver's paper, the Stornoway Gazette, is published almost entirely in English. The council conducts its debates in English because there are always a few members who can't manage Gaelic. What steps the council has taken--changing all the name signs for towns and villages to Gaelic spelling, for example--often seem to run into obstacles. "Barvas" may be "Barabhas" on the new sign, but it's still Barvas on every available map.

Envious eyes are cast southward to the United Kingdom's other Celtic state-within-a-state, Wales. The Welsh, with hundreds of thousands of native speakers, have their own TV channel. Some Highlanders and Islanders believe more Gaelic TV, beyond the few programs now broad-cast, would be just the tonic needed to give the language credibility among the young.

All Scots are familiar with scraps of Gaelic. Some words and phrases have passed into Scottish English, like slainte-mhath, a drinking toast, and ceilidh, a Highland-style evening of music, dance and drink. Besides, virtually every hill, mountain, river and loch north of the Central Belt has a Gaelic name. Translating these wild-sounding, hard-to-pronounce names into English can make the ancient Gaels less remote to us: They did no more to make themselves feel at home than the early American settlers who christened Little Rock and Salt Lake City. Beinn Dearg, for instance, means Red Mountain; Drumochter, where the main road between Perth and Inverness crosses a high pass, should really be Druimuachdair, meaning Summit Ridge; Loch an Eilean is Island Loch.

But as far as global English is concerned, Gaelic has contributed just one common word by which it can be remembered, particularly in the advertising agencies and campaign offices of the world: "slogan," originally sluagh ghairm, the war cry of the Highland clans.

Best Scottish Tours - Scottish Culture

Friday, 15 June 2007

The Garden of Speculation







the garden of cosmic speculation - Portrack near Dumfries...Charles Jencks and Maggie Keswick's astonishing estate..landscape...much much more than a garden with its DNA garden,quarks,black hole,folly,Scottish worthies.

Unfortunately it is only open to the public for one afternoon a year :(

Wednesday, 13 June 2007

Contact Us @ Best Scottish

Contact us :

Owners : Gordon Pollock and George Wallace

Office Manager : Dwina Taylor

Webmaster best-scottish-hotels: David reid

Webmaster best-scottish-tours: Andrew hutchinson

Agent : Jennifer Kennedy

Best Scottish Hotels & Best scottish Tours
ARU ltd,
Holy Loch Marina,
Sandbank, by Dunoon.
Argyll, Scotland, UK. PA23 8QB

+44(0)1369 707055

Email dr-webmaster

The Best Scottish Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Personalized Small Group Tours of Scotland are paced for discovery and understanding - not just notching sites. You will see behind the tourist facade visiting with "locals" and see sites not normally seen by the regular tourist. You will not have to move your base each and every day, for each Hotel will be chosen to minimize the number of times you have to pack and unpack. Scotland, being a small country, it is perfectly possible to visit most everywhere on the mainland from a couple of base locations. This makes for a much more relaxing experience and also allows you to get to know local people. We do not put 52 people on a huge coach with an endurance test for an itinerary. In fact, each small group travel party will be limited to an absolute maximum of 18 people. The most common small-group size has been between 8 and 12 people.

About us - Best Scottish Hotels

Best-Scottish-Tours

Best-Scottish-Hotels

About us:-

Hi, We are Gordon Pollock and George Wallace we have been operating a small group tour business since 1999 under the trading name of Scottish Reunions. Every year our business has been getting better and better so we decided to expand our operations. We started the ball rolling in summer of 2005. By the end of 2005 we had registered ARU Ltd and the trading name Best Scottish Tours and Best Scottish Hotels. We have moved from a very small office space to the Gate House of Holy Loch Marina and Hired 4 more members of staff - Jennifer Kennedy, Dwina Taylor, Andrew Hutchinson and david Reid.

We are members of the Dunoon and Cowal Marketing Group, www.cowal-dunoon.comThe objective of the group is to effectively promote the tourist industry in the area of Dunoon and Cowal Scotland.