Accommodation

Extensively refurbished during 2020 and 2021, Rothes Glen is a luxury, exclusive use castle with accommodation for up to 28 guests complete with traditional Highland hospitality.

There are real fires and stoves in four ground floor reception rooms; wi-fi in all rooms; and replumbing and rewiring of the whole property. There is a wide selection of indoor and outdoor games which can be enjoyed throughout the gardens and grounds which extend to 11 acres and include a private lochan with rowing boat, rose terrace and fountain terrace. There is a helicopter landing area in the front meadow.

There are 14 King Size and Double en suite bedrooms.  All have large bathrooms and under floor heating, heated towel rails, showers and baths. There is an inner courtyard with table tennis and barbecue, off which are the stores, kennels, walk-in cold room, woodshed, golf, fishing and gun rooms. The dining room, drawing-room (with baby grand piano), library, ballroom (with full size snooker table) and tasting room have all been redecorated and refurnished, and their fine panelled ceilings and fireplaces all restored.

There is an inner courtyard with table tennis and barbecue, kennels, walk-in cold room, woodshed, golf, fishing and gun rooms.

The gardens and grounds are extensive and private. The house is approached by a cherry tree lined driveway, and on the western side of the house is a formal lawn, terrace and rose garden. In the meadow are some stunning specimen trees, which leads down to the private lochan accessed by a bridge. The property is surrounded by beautiful countryside offering a wealth of opportunities for outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling, salmon fishing, stalking and shooting.

History
Duncan Dunbar, became, during his lifetime (1849-1891), the biggest private ship-owner in the world. He left his vast wealth to his sister, Phoebe, who with her husband Edward Dunbar-Dunbar, bought the Birchfield Estate in 1870. Birchfield House suffered a devastating fire in 1891 and the Dunbar-Dunbars rebuilt the house in 1893, renaming it Glen of Rothes. They only occupied it during the summer months for shooting and entertaining while spending the winter in Forres and Kinloss.

In 1892 the young architect the Dunbar-Dunbars chose to design their grand and imposing summer villa was Charles Chree Doig, the pioneer of the iconic Chinese-style pagoda-shaped Doig ventilator and moderniser of more than fifty-six of Scotland’s leading malt whisky distilleries.

Encouraged by the arrival of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire in 1848, the country houses and castles of the Highlands of Scotland came into their own during the months of August and September. It was considered fashionable to escape from London, and so began the Scottish Season. Among those who took the sporting lease was H.H. Asquith, the statesman and, from 1908, the British Prime Minister.

​During the second world war the house was requisitioned by the Army, and in 1948 the family decided to sell their home, asking for its name to be changed to Rothes Glen. It became a thriving hotel known throughout the Highlands until in 1998 it became a private home once again.

Sporting

Trout and salmon fishing, stalking and shooting can all be arranged on the nearby estates and within the sporting season.
Clay shooting can also be arranged on the estate. Please let us know your ideal sporting requirements and Rothes Glen can help put together your tailored made sporting week or long weekend.

Activities

The property is surrounded by beautiful countryside offering a wealth of opportunities for outdoor pursuits.

There are a range of additional outdoor adventures Rothes Glen can arrange including:

Helicopter sight seeing tours
Off road quad adventures
Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding
White water rafting
Clay pigeon and rifle shooting
Archery
Shooting / stalking on local estates
Trout fishing
Fishing on the River Spey, Findhorn and Arn
Sea fishing
Interactive falconry displays
Gun dog training performance
Golf
Mountain biking
Horse riding
Skiing
Walking and wildlife safaris
Mini Highland Games challenges
Walk with the reindeer
Red deer feeding experience

Speyside and the Moray Firth
With Elgin 3 miles to the north, steeped in history with its 13th century cathedral, it has an impressive range of shops, and the Moray Firth is nearby with sandy beaches, bird watching on the estuaries of the Spey and the Lossie, and sea fishing, dolphin watching and yachting anchorages. The Cairngorms and ski slopes of Aviemore and the Lecht are within easy reach.

Property location