Within the coronary heart of Speyside, the place the River Isla gently flows, a hidden gem awaits whisky fanatics, adventure-seekers, and people in the hunt for a tranquil Scottish escape. This November marks the grand opening of Linn Home, a Victorian manor set to change into the brand new hub for Scottish whisky. Managed by Chivas Brothers, the visionary power behind globally cherished whiskies like The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Ballantine’s, and Chivas Regal, Linn Home guarantees a very distinctive luxurious expertise for friends in search of the proper minibreak with household and pals. Ross from The Luxurious Editor was one of many first folks to remain – learn on to find extra.
An Unique Retreat
Tucked throughout the picturesque landscapes of Speyside with a view of the River Isla, Linn Home stands proudly because the inaugural visitor home and whisky retreat of Chivas Brothers, with roots relationship again to 1870. Immerse your self in effective eating, opulent interiors, and the Victorian attraction that pervades, creating an atmosphere of serenity and luxurious. Wander the grounds, breathe the recent Scottish air, and unwind.
Initially designed within the 1870s by the esteemed Scottish gentleman Robert Kynoch-Shand, Linn Home was a imaginative and prescient of a exceptional Victorian mansion within the coronary heart of Keith. Recognising its grandeur in 1993, The Chivas and Glenlivet Group undertook a meticulous renovation to revive Linn Home to its former glory. The result’s a luxurious haven that now stands as a premier vacation spot, inviting friends to change into a part of a brand new chapter in its wealthy historical past.
Linn Home cherishes conviviality and Tony Guerreiro and the remainder of the workforce don’t consider friends as clients – moderately as household. From the minute you arrive you’ll expertise a heat Scottish welcome subsequent to the roaring log hearth, so make your self at house for the weekend.
The Coronary heart of Speyside
Speyside stands as a beacon for whisky fanatics and nature lovers alike. Famend globally because the beating coronary heart of Scotch whisky manufacturing, the realm is a area of Scotland the place the artwork of distillation intertwines seamlessly with the pure great thing about the environment. House to a focus of famend distilleries, Speyside is a pilgrimage web site for these in search of to discover the nuanced flavours and craftsmanship of single and blended malt whiskies and Linn Home couldn’t be higher situated.
Discovered within the small city of Keith it’s round 20 minutes to Dufftown and Aberdeen is a one-hour automobile journey, Aberdeen Worldwide Airport presents connections throughout Europe. It’s additionally round 2.5 hours by prepare to Edinburgh.
A Whisky Lover’s Paradise
One of many highlights of the renovation must be the brand new Whisky Library. Boasting a rigorously curated whisky assortment overlaying three of the 4 partitions of the library and that includes alternatives from The Glenlivet, Aberlour, Scapa, Chivas Regal, Royale Salute, and Ballantine’s, you possibly can have interaction in guided tastings to discover these iconic whiskies a few of that are over 30 years outdated.
You possibly can tailor and customise your whisky expertise and even elevate it to new heights by selecting certainly one of their Whisky Library packages.
- Bronze: Exploration – Whiskies as much as 14 years outdated
- Silver: Discovery – Whiskies as much as 18 years outdated
- Gold: Specialist Uncommon – Single cask whiskies aged 25 years and above
- Platinum: Mastery Uncommon – Very limited-release single casks, aged 30 years and above
Consideration to element is paramount at Linn Home and the complete expertise will be tailor-made to a visitor’s wants. On the launch night time that we had been there, we had been within the very succesful arms of Ethan Miln International Model Ambassador Chivas Brothers who blended probably the most unbelievable cocktails all through the night.
Culinary Delights
As night falls immerse your self within the enchanting atmosphere of Linn Home’s oak-panelled mahogany eating room. Savour effective eating experiences crafted by the home’s achieved head chef, Eric, whose experience has been refined in famend Michelin and AA Rosette accommodations.
Linn Homes’s dedication to excellence is unwavering. In pursuit of this, they’ve meticulously chosen solely the best, freshest native and seasonal produce, guaranteeing that every delectable chunk encapsulates the essence of workmanship and high quality. Menu’s are guided by nature in order the seasons evolve, so do their menus, echoing the abundance of regionally sourced substances throughout the native space. From succulent Moray scallops to flavourful venison and the timeless traditional haggis, our dishes proudly showcase the varied and wealthy flavours of Scotland.
Dinner
Throughout our keep, we had been handled to a pleasant four-course meal with matching Royal Salute whiskies.
No dinner in Scotland can be the identical with out haggis and at Linn Home you possibly can count on your Haggis to be addressed with the well-known Robert Burn’s poem “Deal with To A Haggis”.
Following dinner, a leg stretch is so as so we head to the backyard hearth pit for a nightcap dram – the best approach to finish a night at Linn Home.
Breakfast
Cooked to order and served within the eating room.
A Testimony to Heritage
Linn Home boasts 13 magnificent bedrooms throughout two flooring, every named after certainly one of their distilleries. Each room is uniquely designed, with some offering picturesque views of the River Isla and its scenic environment, whereas first-floor rooms provide enhanced ground house and options like free-standing baths and separate showers. All rooms characteristic effective Scottish textiles and linens, and opulent bogs, with underfloor heating and unique Scottish toiletries, whereas some room’s beds will be swapped from king to twin relying on friends’ wants.
My room throughout my keep was on the second ground within the Glen Keith room, named after the Glen Keith distillery which was based in 1957 and likewise lies within the city of Keith – an in depth stroll to Linn Home. Resplendent in conventional Scottish hues the room has views looking over the backyard, in addition to together with a small lounge space and desk.
A beautiful shock of a bottle of Linn Home Reserve whisky is positioned in every visitor’s room at Linn Home – that is positively one to tuck away in your whisky assortment.
Rooms on the second ground characteristic stunning rain showers (the first-floor bedrooms even have baths and showers)
Crafting Your Escape
A keep at Linn Home isn’t a cookie-cutter expertise and the home workforce collaborates carefully with friends to create tailored itineraries for the best rural escape. Linn Home and its environment, provide a plethora of alternatives so that you can embark on thrilling new adventures.
Immerse your self on the earth of whisky with a cocktail masterclass within the Whisky Library or delve into the artwork of whisky-making by means of an interesting guided tour and tasting of certainly one of their three native distilleries.
Attempt your hand at clay pigeon taking pictures and expertise regal aptitude which is Ballindalloch Fortress, which remains to be a household house and you’ll study the fascinating household historical past of the citadel from the very witty and charismatic Man Macpherson-Grant.
Or go on a one-of-a-kind meals safari with Le Cordon Bleu chef Ghillie Basan at her household house the place you possibly can find out about foraging for meals, prepare dinner in her household kitchen and eat her award-winning meals, together with a lot of Speyside whisky.
Reserving Your Escape
Whether or not you search a household retreat or an unforgettable weekend away with pals, Linn Home is the final word Speyside vacation spot. Accommodating as much as 12 friends in six rooms, the property is on the market at £9,600. Alternatively, the total home reservation grants entry to all 12 rooms and accommodates as much as 24 friends for £19,200. Each choices embody a two-night stick with breakfast, a three-course seasonal dinner or Scottish dinner with a wine choice, an ‘exploration’ drink package deal, and a bottle of Linn Home Reserve whisky for every visitor. A minimal two-night keep applies for all bookings. Costs are legitimate till thirtieth June 2024.
