Focusing on Nature at Glenapp Castle
Charming Glenapp Castle, all turrets and towers. Tucked away on the West Coast of Scotland, within walking distance of the little coastal town of Ballantrae, this ‘lesser-travelled’ part of the Scottish lowlands is where we kicked off a three week tour.
A somewhat ‘fairytale’ of a place, nestled in the trees, scarcely visible until you are on it, with tantalisingly long and windy gated drives as the only access. How would this first few days of our three week trip unfold…
Always one for exploring new parts of Scotland, turning left just north of Carlisle, past Dumfries on the A75 towards Stranraer was a new adventure for us. It was going to be a different coastline to experience, not just on our way to Glenapp Castle but also our onward journey with planned stops at Culzean Castle and the Robert Burns Museum before heading to Loch Lomond. I kept reading that it’s an area less travelled. It is a long haul along a busy road, with many lorries that serves the Cairnryan Ferry Terminal and Port, where you can head to Belfast. But it’s worth it! The views along the side of Loch Ryan and driving along by the sea north of Ballantrae are stunning.
What Was Special About Glenapp Castle Hotel?
The Welcome: Top of the list has to be the welcome we received on arrival. When staff are there to greet you as you drive up to a hotel, it’s a first impression that really sets the scene for your stay. It was done so well here.
Bedroom: Our room, looking out to sea at Ailsa Craig, was beautifully appointed in the period matching the castle of course. Spacious and comfortable with a stunning bed – though we never found out what would happen if we pulled the cord hanging down over the headboard!
Staff: Always the biggest impact is the staff. They were delightfully full of fun, clearly enjoying working there, nothing was too much trouble and each had a story to tell. Always professional along with the warm and friendliness that makes a stay special.
Dining: Well as part of the Relais & Chateaux association we knew the cuisine would be excellent and it didn’t disappoint. Taking much from the kitchen gardens and the best of local produce our dinners were a delight. From the canapés to those little extra ‘chef’s’ dishes between the courses.
Luxury hospitality at its best in this small Castle hotel.
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Sustainability, Kitchen Gardens and Jam
When you are running a Castle as a hotel, and bear in mind this is both a listed building, being of special architectural and historical interest, plus built around 1870, ‘sustainability’ is about doing what you sensibly can and accepting there are some things you just cannot attempt!
Talking to Jill Chalmers, the hotel’s very lovely Managing Director, it was clear that they taken all the expected steps, like refillable toiletries and guests deciding on whether to have their towels washed every day or not. But where they are focused and can have the biggest impact, is their kitchen gardens and the stunningly beautiful and extensive 110 acres of estate, manicured gardens and local woodland. From supplying their own flowers in the guest rooms and dining areas, for as much of the year as possible, to using all of the seasonal fruit and vegetables even down to making their own Jam.
Of course, there are always gluts – raspberries, plums and the like …. and it’s always summer when the hotel and the chef are busiest that Jill will pop her head in and ask ‘any chance you can make some jam with this fruit?’!! I can imagine the groans but of course, the jam will get made. Guests will probably have no idea but the environment will be thankful!
With a full focus on nature, the incredible environment this Castle is set in, it’s all the little things that are done at Glenapp Castle that count. From using the wood on the estate, rather than shipping it in, the bee hives and making their own honey, to choosing really local produce supporting that economy, reducing the miles and bringing down the carbon footprint.
Something Jill said really resonated with me:
The respecting of that nature and the environment that is all around us, and doing what is right within that, is our focus
Jill Chalmers, Managing director of Glenapp Castle Hotel
Watchful and aware. It’s not about the ‘tick boxes’ to just say you are ‘green’ but understanding where your niche is, focusing on what’s around you and what can be done within that. You can find the balance between 5 Star and sustainability.
Anyone for Curling?
With views of the sea and the islet of Ailsa Craig (Aillse Creag in Gaelic, meaning ‘fairy rock’), standing proud in the water reminding us that its nickname of ‘Paddy’s Milestone’, given because of its location half way between Glasgow and Belfast, we could see the Irish coast on a clear day.
Coming from Scottish heritage and having been passed a curiosity, my grandmothers, a small silver curling stone, sadly now missing its handle, coming this close to this micro-granite rock favoured for making curling stones, was intriguing. Not knowing the significance to our family of the curling stone, the least I want to do is go back there, in winter and give curling a go!
