The Boath House is a historic Regency house set within 22 acres of stunning countryside, the walled garden and outbuildings date back to sometime around 1550. It was purchased much more recently by the Matheson family, extensively renovated and converted into a hotel and restaurant in 1991. The hotel consists of nine beautiful rooms, named rooms 1-9 for convenience, more about each of them below.
The restaurant provides views across the estate from the French windows, making for a great setting and flooding the dining room with light. The food is prepared from locally and ethically sourced producers with exquisite wine pairings available also. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available at Boath House.
If you wish to dine more casually, then the Kale Yard is the place for you. This garden cafe was added in 2018 and is nestled within the confines of the walled garden. You can enjoy the most delicious pizzas here thanks to the wood-fired oven.
To entirely switch off, or reflect on a long day on the golf course, guests can take in a stroll around the gardens. With beehives, hens, an orchard, vegetable patches, and glass houses there is plenty to explore. There is also a two-acre ornamental lake stocked with trout and a substantial garden with all kinds of pond life to be explored and enjoyed.
As mentioned, the bedrooms are all unique. Rooms 1 – 9 are simply stunning, and to fully appreciate them, a brief description of each is needed.
Room one has beautiful woodland views. This was originally the bedchamber of the daughter of Sir and Lady Dunbar and is located on the 1st floor with a calm neutral tone prevailing in the decor. There is a king-size bed which can convert to a twin and an ensuite with a period cast iron roll top bath and a unique rain shower.
In the 1800s, Room two was used for guests and is also located on the first floor. The views from Room two consist of the front of the house and the woods. This room has a beautiful French antique double bed and has a luxurious feel throughout.
The master bedchamber of Sir James Dunbar is Room three, and for whom the house was originally built. This room has a superior feel and boasts views or the lakes and flower meadow. The ensuite has two slipper baths and a separate walk-in shower.
The favorite room of Architect Archibald Simpson is Room four due to the panoramic walled garden views. This room is tucked away in the corner of the house with stunning attention to detail throughout including a four-poster bed as the centerpiece.
In the east wing is Room five. Originally two rooms, the nursery and the nursery maid’s chamber, the walls have scripted calligraphy depicting the history of the house. There is a large king-size bed which can be converted to a twin, and the double bathroom has a vast copper and zinc, free standing bath and a separate large walk-in shower.
Room six is also referred to as the Meikle Cottage. This was the gamekeeper’s bothy which is now a luxurious suite of rooms, ideal for those wanting their own space and tranquility but still within a stone’s throw of the main building. The cottage consists of a lounge area with a cozy wood burning stove and a leather sofa bed. There is a large bedroom with a king size bed which can also be a twin. The bathroom has a large walk-in shower and an adjoining room with free standing roll top bath, and the location allows for simply stunning estate views.
Room seven was originally the handmaid and valets’ quarters where domestic staff would gather for meals and entertainment. This room is located in the basement with a conservatory to steal natural light and flood the room with it.
Originally the kitchen, Room eight is a gem, and during restoration, the old bread oven was found. This room has a lovingly charming and unique atmosphere. It is located on the lower ground floor the room benefits from a vaulted ceiling. There is a roll top bath situated in the bedroom, and the room also benefits from a separate spacious wet room with contemporary fittings. A conservatory is attached, which makes Room eight feel like the garden is literally in the room.
Finally, is room nine – the apple cottage. A charming 400-year-old, one-bedroom, self-catering stone bothy, which is built into the wall of the historic walled garden. Originally the gardener’s accommodation and used for storing orchard fruits, the restoration has been beautifully sympathetic. A king size bed, kitchen, shower room, and WC complete this little piece of heaven.
Boath House is truly an enchanting little hotel and gives guests a feeling of being transported to a different world. A fantastic base to explore the golf courses of the Highlands of Scotland including Nairn, Royal Dornoch, and Castle Stuart among others.