This Scottish hotel is a festive place
IAN STALKER
The general manager of Scotland’s Glen Clova Hotel & Lodges is happy to sing the praises of a hotel in which singing can be part and parcel of a visit.
The hotel, which dates back to 1850 and is found within Cairngorms National Park, is home to the Climber’s Bar, which is billed as “steeped in history, with a wide collection of walkers’ memories, and serves local beers, whiskies and gins.”
And says hotel general manager Mhairi Preston, the Climber’s Bar tends to serve as a gathering point for locals in the sparsely populated area after sundown, with local musicians frequently performing and bar patrons able to to join them in song.
“It’s just come in, chill with us and have a good evening,” Preston says of evenings in the watering hole, with musicians at times performing traditional Scottish tunes and others that might include songs by American rock musicians, with a recent evening including American musician Steve Earle’s classic Copperhead Road.
The dog-friendly Glen Clova Hotel and Luxury Lodges sleeps 88 people in total, having 18 bedrooms and additional 11 self-catering lodges, all with their own hot tubs and many with saunas and wood burning stoves.
The hotel — which states that “all who enter as guests leave as friends” — says that nature is truly at its doorstep, with the surrounding area home to 10 mountains that top 3,000 feet and having rare alpine flowers.
The sparsely populated region is in an area free of light pollution, says general manager Mhairi Preston, and so those staying there can expect to see “beautiful starry skies.
“It’s very nature-focused,” she continues of the area.
The main restaurant can serve up to 50 guests, while food is also served in the Brandy Bothy. A separate private dining area can host up to 20 people. The hotel will host weddings.
More information can be found at clova.com.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dalrymple — who works as a guide for Scottish tour company Rabbies — says those curious about hearing traditional Scottish music will easily be able to do so while exploring Scotland.
“Pretty much every town will have bars where you get Scottish music. You can get everything from rock and pop to traditional folk music. It’s one of most-asked questions (he receives from his clients): ‘Where can I go to hear traditional music?'”
Scottish music has built a following outside the country, Dalrymple continues, pointing to the likes of Paul McCartney’s classic Mull of Kintyre, which featured bagpipes.
