SCHLOSS Roxburghe & The Bonnie Prince Charlie Link!
The magnificent Schloss Roxburghe on the outskirts of Kelso in the Scottish Borders
The story goes that Scotland’s Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, visited what is now the 5-star manor house hotel SCHLOSS Roxburghe, on the outskirts of Kelso, in 1745, planted a white rose bush and left Lady Chatto’s household swooning in his Royal aura!
But, whether the would-be king of England, Scotland, Ireland and France did actually visit what was then ‘Sunlaws House’ in The Borders, on that cold 5th November night, is something of a moot point….especially if you ask the man charged with driving VIP guests to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station!
“That’s the official version,” said Philip, “but if you ask the Duke of Roxburghe, also called Charles, he might suggest that Charlie’s Restaurant, home to Scottish Bistronomy, was most probably named in his honour, not one of history’s most written about nobles!”
He grinned before continuing with his string of facts about this glorious hotel, once part of the Duke’s estate, but now a premier property within the exclusive Destination by Hyatt portfolio.
It is just over an hour’s drive from both Edinburgh and Newcastle and set in the elegant countryside of the Scottish Borders.
However, whilst no one has yet located the Pretender’s famous white rose bush, management have not been slow to take advantage of the 18th century apocryphal story, with the adoption of a white rose as the logo for Charlie’s Restaurant!
The hotel’s stunning hallway
Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie have visited every property in Scotland it would seem!” quipped one of the journalists in our party!
But, with a renovation and extension bill currently sitting at somewhere in the region of £45m, one truth is that this is a place that could happily host a Royal without the threat of complaint!
The hotel was expanded in November 2022 with the opening of the new Estate House, hosting an additional 58 rooms to the Manor House’s 20, as well as a purpose-built banqueting suite, extensive spa facilities and self-catering cottages across the grounds.
Relax....in a sauna
It boasts over 300 acres of land including 2.5 miles of the River Teviot, Trout Loch, beautiful parkland and Estate gardens, providing a stunning backdrop in which to relax and enjoy nature and the great outdoors.
Inside, books and artwork, on extended loan from the Duke of Roxburghe, who still lives in nearby Floors Castle, adorn many of the walls, however, it was only when the current owners purchased the estate in 2018, that the cheque book opened and the real work to deliver a unique offering, truly began.
Now, a breathtaking outdoor Spa, the first of its type in the Scottish Borders, features a heated infinity-edge pool, saunas, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and a variety of wellness treatments using premium products from ESPA.
Guests can also enjoy bespoke treatments designed to rejuvenate and promote mindfulness.
In addition, there are 52 elegantly appointed self-catering cottages situated within the scenic woodlands of the estate, all with modern kitchens, high-quality furnishings, and in some cases, private saunas, offering the perfect retreat for families, couples, and golf enthusiasts, the latter able to take advantage of the hotel’s 18-hole championship course, new Toptracer driving range and Golf Academy swing studio.
One of the estate's self-catering cottages
And, if the kids need entertaining – or minding – then the Kio Kids’ Club will look after youngsters while mum and dad enjoy the extensive facilities!
Launched in Summer 2024, it provides an enriching experience for children aged 4-12, with activities focused on sustainability, nature, and local wildlife.
Based on the children’s book Kio, Everything in Flow, written exclusively for the hotel, the club blends fun with environmental education.
However, when it comes to mum, dad, older children, or visiting couples travelling alone, ‘activities’ lie at the heart of the SCHLOSS Roxburghe offer, with fly fishing on the river or Trout Loch, archery, country sports, or Clay Pigeon Shooting at the newly refurbished Shooting Centre, complementing the impeccable Championship Golf Course.
But, while clay pigeon man and former world team speycasting champion, Eoin Fairgrieve, champions his own brand of outdoor pursuits, there’s another man operating like a mushroom: not quite in the dark, perhaps, but certainly slaving over a hot oven: Head Chef, Dan Ashmore.
Dan’s The Culinary (Revolution) Man!
Relatively new in post, Monsieur Ashmore brings a wealth of experience from some of the UK’s most prestigious establishments and, with a culinary career spanning nearly two decades, has honed his skills at renowned venues such as The Square in Mayfair, Restaurant Tom Aitkens, and Michelin-starred La Trompette.
His leadership roles at Gleneagles, The Balmoral, and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants have earned him a leading reputation across Scotland and the UK, and hotel General Manager, Bruno De Schuyter, is liberal with his enthusiasm: “Dan’s expertise and creativity is playing a pivotal role in further elevating the culinary experience at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, ensuring our guests enjoy the finest seasonal and locally sourced cuisine.”
Partnered With Forbes Travel Guide
As a ‘Global Partner’ with Forbes Travel Guide SCHLOSS Roxburghe is currently undergoing a signature training process with the ultimate goal of achieving the organisation’s coveted star rating, which will help grow worldwide awareness, particularly in the United States, a key market.
Forbes Travel Guide is an independent, global rating system for luxury hospitality, and anonymously assesses hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises to a list of exacting criteria to award their star ratings.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its guest experience and securing its reputation as a world-class property and, as a member of the programme, SCHLOSS Roxburghe can now prominently display the 'Forbes Travel Guide Global Partner' badge on its website and communication materials, signalling its dedication to exceptional service and luxury standards.
Thanks to this partnership the hotel is rapidly positioning itself to become one of the UK’s most sought-after destination hotels.
Laid-back, luxurious and totally chilled, my visit was flawless, the food in the hotel's various restaurants - Charlie's, Sunlaws and the State Room Lounge - was tantalisingly good.
A wee dram sir? Whiskey tasting sessions courtesy of The Borders Distillery
‘Charlie’ would have been proud, however, whether that is the ‘Bonnie’ Prince variety or the current Duke, who was probably still running around the grounds in shorts long before a slice of his ancestral home was even sold, is still open for discussion!
Practical Information:
The Hotel: www.schlosshotel-roxburghe.com
Country Sports: https://schlosshotel-roxburghe.com/en/activities/countrysports
The Borders Distillery: www.thebordersdistillery.com/
