Karen Peattie discovers a hidden gem of a hotel in the delightful form of Maryculter House, nestling on the banks of the Dee where the sound of birdsong cheers the soul.
Arriving at the boutique Maryculter House Hotel on a beautiful, sunny afternoon in late April it felt like another world having left a somewhat dreich and Glasgow behind.
With the welcome at reception as warm as the weather, I was soon in my room admiring the amazing view across the river – a vista that was even my gorgeous, marble bathroom was able to take advantage of.
The views are one thing but the room itself really made me smile with its ability to evoke a Scottish feel while combining the traditional with the contemporary across its fabrics and accessories. And that bathroom – think sumptuous towels, a deep-fill bath, walk-in shower and luxurious Molton Brown toiletries in ceramic pots designed to cut down on plastic waste.
Unable to resist the confectionery selection featuring a personalised welcome message iced onto the plate, I sat for a few minutes taking it all in – and watching a heron by the river – before decamping to a sunny spot in the riverside courtyard with a G&T and a book. It really was blissful and a wee walk along one of the waterside paths set me up for dinner.
Poachers Brasserie didn’t disappoint and as someone who is always looking to support local food and drink producers, just looking at the menu confirmed that Executive Chef Alan Clarke is singing from the same hymn sheet as he works with his culinary team to offer a dining experience that showcases Aberdeenshire’s larder in an informal environment.
Menus are seasonal and I opted for west coasts scallops to start with then Peterhead-landed halibut, rounded off with a selection of Scottish cheeses – including Cambus O’May Cheddar, Clava brie, Strathdon blue – and the matched Aberdeenshire whisky flight featuring Glendronach, Glen Deveron and Ardmore single malts.
Smoked salmon, for example, is supplied by Sutherlands of Portsoy while premium steaks come from butcher Sheridan’s of Ballater. Other local producers working with Maryculter House are butcher Charles McHardy of Stonehaven and well-known Inverurie-based baker JG Ross who make the butteries – a north-east delicacy – that you enjoy at breakfast.
Maryculter House is a definitely an ideal hotel for a romantic getaway and it is also a popular wedding venue, thanks to its location and picture-postcard courtyard with floral arch. But it’s not all about romance! If you’re into fishing and golf, both are on the doorstep – the hotel has two of its own beats on the Dee, one of the world’s most famous salmon fishing rivers, while Peterculter Golf Course is just across the river
The 40-bedroom hotel is popular with business groups, too, and at breakfast the next morning – I had the full Scottish, of course – a private whisky tasting was in full flow. A little too early for me but an excellent way for an organised group to start the day.
But I couldn’t leave without a history lesson. Part of Maryculter House dates back to the 13th century when the Knights Templar had a chapel on the site and you can wander around the old parish graveyard. The Templars have left plenty of traces with their white mantles and red cross appearing throughout the hotel, including in The Great Hall – today a guest lounge with roaring fire.
Maryculter House Hotel, South Deeside Road, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire AB12 5GB. Tel: 01224 732124 or email info@maryculterhouse.com
www.maryculterhouse.com
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