Killiehuntly House, Kingussie, Scotland

Killiehuntly House, Kingussie, Scotland

A successful dinner is one that lasts a while and one where everyone leaves happy. It’s a meal where we didn’t just wolf food down, rather, something else happened at the table.

Laurie David

At Killiehuntly Farmhouse the focus is
on food and a sense of home. It’s
also about time spent and conversation. To start there are no
televisions on the premises; kitchen is the hearth here and all
meals are served family style. If you don’t like company, don’t
stay here.

A place to relax and recharge, over the course of a weekend at
Killiehuntly House days are likely
to be spent braving the elements and exploring the hinterland. Come
evening, take in crackling fires in the lounge (Harris gin in hand)
as the sun downs and the landscape fades from lavender to burgundy
and then to an inky blue; cackling over dinner conversations with
friends (both quickly made and long-standing).

Lovers of design, nature, food,
conversation and solitude will find solace in this upscaled
farmstead.

Bedrooms

Fusing Scottish farmhouse with
contemporary Danish design, expect to find curly sheepskin draped
over Bamse chairs and traditional sash windows framed by billowing
white-linen curtains. Killienhuntly’s self-dubbed “Scandi-Scot”
style rooms are simple and pared back and, much like the rest of
the house, they’re finished in a palette of greys.

Most of the farmhouse rooms (four in total) are not en suite but
with private bathrooms right next door, you’d hardly notice. If an
en suite is non-negotiable, the Alder Room (the largest double at
Killiehuntly Farmhouse) is best booked well in advance. Complete
with four-poster bed, two writing desks and the private bathroom it’s arguably the best room
in the house. Beyond the farmhouse, choose to stay at the Cottage,
the Bothy (a cosy four-person self-catered hideaway) or in the snug
Hayloft.

What’s for breakfast?

Food at Killiehuntly is local, simple and homemade. Come
morning, Farmhouse rooms are served a homemade breakfast, whipped
up by in-house chef Tom. To start, chomp on granola with yoghurt
and poached fruit before tucking into your hot breakfast. The menu
changes daily – expect homemade jams and freshly baked bread,
farmhouse eggs and varying sides ranging from Macsween black
pudding to smashed avocado and smoked salmon.

How about lunch and dinner?

Assuming you will take to the mountains shortly after breakfast,
lunch (a hearty sandwich and nibble of something sweet) comes
wrapped in greaseproof paper. Pop it in your knapsack (which you
will find hanging on a peg in your room) and head for the high
hills. Depending on how far you stray, enjoy afternoon tea and
biscuits, dried fruits and nuts at the communal kitchen tables
before changing into another woollen jumper or tartan fashioning
for dinner.

A three-course dinner is served Thursday through Monday evening
(no dinner is served on Tuesday or Wednesday). In the summer, its
bums on seats at 8pm (7.30pm in the winter). Dinner is family style
with dietary requirements are noted at time of booking. Menus are
based around seasonality. Starters range from walnut, radicchio and
apple salad to potted crab and toast while main courses of bream
with curried cauliflower and succulent spring lamb highlight the
variety on offer. Finish nightly meals off with dessert – creme
brulee on Friday, pecan pie on Saturday – and a cup of tea before
falling into bed (which is rather handily only one floor up).

Don’t grimace at the thought of communal meals; these are likely
to be a highlight of your time in Killiehuntly. Breaking bread with
strangers is increasingly appealing after days spent in remote
locations, and often in total isolation. You’ll get recommendations
of where to venture the following day, alongside stories
(scandalous and sobering) to harbour after your departure.

Is there a bar?

An honesty bar operates in the front sitting room and the
kitchen. Well stocked with local gins, rotate between Harris and
Inshriach. The front sitting room is a particularly fine spot for a
dram.

Amenities

Complimentary mountain bikes, a sauna yurt and plunge pool.

Things you should know

The sauna yurt takes an hour and a half to warm up, so let staff
know in advance if you’re planning on being spontaneous later. The
rate quoted for Farmhouse rooms includes breakfast, a packed
sandwich (tied up with string), afternoon biscuit with tea or
coffee and three-course dinner.

Within a short walk you’ll find

Go wild swimming in clear highland loch water with
Cairngorms Mountains as your backdrop or hike through the beautiful
ancient Caledonian woods. Alternatively, book in for a tour and
tasting at Dalwhinnie Distillery – the highest distillery in the
Highlands.