Historic Holiday Accommodation in Scotland

If you’re looking for historic holiday accommodation in Scotland, welcome to Bearnock Lodge. While not a historic castle, the house still has a wonderful tale to tell.

Owners have included the Wallace family, who still have relations living in the area. Anna Wallace became famous in the early 1970s as the girl who turned down the offer of marriage to Prince Charles. The Cape family and also the Grant family, famous for whiskey!

After the war, the house had various owners and started to fall into disrepair. At one stage, it would be a hotel, and at another time, an art exhibition centre, but these ideas came to nothing.

In the early 1970s, the Janney family purchased the house. While they began a renovation, it was a huge task, and much of the back section of the house remained in disrepair for many years. It was the current owners, the Sutherland family, who, upon purchasing the property in 2009, began restoration in full. Bearnock now has all the comforts of the 21st century while maintaining its historic charm.

You can read the full history of the house HERE.

Historic Holiday Accommodation in Scotland

If you’re hoping for a holiday steeped in history, we’ve come up with some ideas to help you celebrate the story of Bearnock.

Host a themed dinner party:

The spacious panelled dining room seats 18, a sight to behold! We often wish we’d been a fly on the wall at some of the grand parties held over the years. So, why not pick a decade and celebrate in style? Choose the roaring twenties and get your flapper on, dress up in military uniform for a forties-style evening, or fast-forward to the swinging sixties!

The tower of candles has gone, but the ornate pillar, arched window and fireplace remain!

Raise a wee dram:

The most interesting owner of Bearnock was Lady Sybil Grant, married to General Sir Charles John Grant, a Grant Whiskey family member. The Grant Distillery sits south of Edinburgh, so while it’s a little far for a day trip from Bearnock, pick up a bottle for a fireside drink if you’re driving past on your way to stay with us!

Or, you can always pick up a bottle of local whiskey. The Singleton Distillery is just over a thirty-minute drive from Bearnock. The Singleton Glendullan is a uniquely versatile single malt with an equally rich history, perfect for enjoying by our drawing room fireplace.

90 years between these photos but not so much has changed. The original fireplace is still in place, we still have bookcases and a chair in the corner.

Enjoy the countryside:

Bearnock Lodge was originally built as a summer home and shooting lodge for a London-based family in the 1860s. We’re not suggesting you pick up a 12-bore! But you can enjoy the incredible natural surroundings that early shooting parties would have.

Some things don’t change, like the driveway up to Bearnock Lodge. We are also still dog friendly!

Close by is the Glenurquhart Forest. About five miles west of Bearnock is Cannich, which leads to the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. Here you’ll discover lovely walks through ancient Caledonian pinewoods and across open moorland. Take the time to enjoy all sorts of wildlife and unspoilt splendour. Also close by, at Corrimony, are chambered cairns and an RSPB bird reserve.

Glen Urquhart itself stretches from the banks of Loch Ness westward towards the mountains of Glen Affric. It’s a beautiful wooded glen with lochs and a river that greatly rewards exploration on foot, cycle or horseback.