Castle Venlaw Hotel Reviews
The Mirror Newspaper, April 2007
CASTLE VENLAW, PEEBLES, SCOTTISH BORDERS
WHAT TO EXPECT: A magnificent 18th Century castle, set in four acres of grounds in the picturesque but underrated Scottish Borders. Now a hotel with just 12 bedrooms, each one different, it's perfect for a romantic getaway. For extra luxury stay in the Glenturret Suite with a four-poster bed and bathroom with double bath, heated tiles and fibre-optic lighting. The owners run the place - so the personal touch is there. The tone is informal, though, and not stuffy.
ON THE MENU: Now you're talking! The menu starts with a little note saying to ask if there's anything you fancy which is not listed. The three-course dinner with coffee is £30. Local produce such as beef and duck are house specialities but veggies are well served. Leave room for divine desserts such as warm chocolate tart. We had the Scottish cheese plate too, crammed with treats like Dunsmyre Blue. Retire to the cosy bar for brandy as you watch the night sky.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE: Get stuck into Highland country sports - without having to go there as it's only a two-hour drive from Newcastle. Golf, fishing, bird-watching: it's all on your doorstep. Head to Glentress Forest for some of the best mountain-biking trails in Europe. Walk to the charming market town of Peebles, while Edinburgh is an hour away by car.
"Paris may have the Eiffel Tower, Rome the Colosseum and Prague Wenceslas Square, but Castle Venlaw shows that when it comes to romance, Scotland has one or two surprises of it's own." Kevin Schofield, The Scotsman, 10th September 2005
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Hotel Review Scotland
"The hotel offers lunches in the Library Bar lounge area and you can come in anytime for a coffee.
Dinner, as we enjoyed, is prepared by head chef David Harrison and is served in the main Dining Room. David prefaces his menu with a note: "If you would prefer something that is not on the menu please simply ask and I will do my best to accommodate your wishes". Good stuff.
Having enjoyed a Macallan, to co-ordinate with our bedroom's name of course, and in no way because it's one of the country's finest aperitif whiskies, we sat and enjoyed the log fire-warmed bar lounge - and a bowl of nibbles - as we read over the two-part carte: on one side a dinner menu with 4 choices at each course (£28 for 3 courses and coffee is fine value for fine dining), and on the other side a 'house specialities' list giving further options for starters and mains.
From a wide-ranging choice that included Leek and Potato Soup; or Marinated Atlantic Prawns; or Pan-seared West Coast Scallops; or Terrine of Gressingham Duck, we opted for a generous and interesting Warm Brioche filled with Black Pudding accompanied by Rocket and Piquilla Pepper Salad. Unusual yet most enjoyable, the vibrantly dressed leaves and peppers accompanied perfectly.
Friendly staff kept pace in the busy and elegant candlelit, parquet-floored dining room, with its' intricate ceiling, where couples were enjoying a weekend meal.
Passing up the temptations of Loin of Yellow Fin Tuna; or Char-grilled Fillet of Aberdeen Angus Beef; or Roulade of Louie Chicken; or vegetarian options, we decided upon local Roast Silverside of Border Lamb on Dijon Potato Purée, Char-grilled Vegetables and Lyonnaise Sauce. This came as a deliciously appetising and appealing array of small cuts of lean yet roast-edged tender lamb - which simply melted away: the colourful and tasty vegetables added texture; the whole was a great success. Hardly any room was left for dessert, offered from a separate menu.
Good quality cuisine served with care in a lovely room - and at a fair price - has earned Castle Venlaw our SilverPlate™ dining award.
New food and drink guide Good Food of Scotland has given its' Recommended rating, while the hotel features in Amanda Clark's Best Tastes in Scotland booklet.
Breakfast is served in the same room - we sat facing the magnificent fireplace with its charming rose-red inset seating - and enjoyed a good selection of traditional items, including local produce, and nothing disappointed. And always the fine views and pretty room to look at."
The full Hotel Review Scotland review.
