Blervie House

Blervie House

, Rafford, Forres, Moray.

Blervie House is a historic Scottish country house that is the setting for the only 5 Star B&B accommodation in the area. After three years of renovation and restoration, it combines the best of stately home elegance with 21st century convenience, comfort and environmental responsibility.

With extensive lawns and enveloped by woodland, the 300 acre estate is at the disposal of guests to roam and enjoy the impressive views of the Moray Firth. The grounds are home to deer, red squirrels and a rather boastful peacock named Charlie.

The interior of Blervie House is as impressive as the exterior, with a sweeping grand staircase leading up from the hall, elegant lounges (five of them!) and a full-size slate billiard table.

Breakfast is everything you would expect from a B&B of this quality. There's a full cooked breakfast of course, porridge, because this is Scotland, and even Cockburn’s prize-winning haggis. If a cooked breakfast is not your thing, try Sheena's homemade granola along with the usual selection of fruit, juices, cereals, pastries, toast and fresh tea and coffee. Three nights a week in summer Blervie House offers an informal three course dinner, subject to at least six people choosing to dine. Depending on weather, dinner is served home-style in the modern kitchen, alfresco on the terrace or in the main dining room.

Among the twelve bedrooms, the luxury rooms are top-of-the-range being 37 sq m with a huge bathroom as well. The super king-sized beds have high thread count cotton sheets and a choice or Hungarian goose-down duvets or merino wool blankets. Double Deluxe rooms are similar but a bit smaller and the double standard rooms likewise, with private bathrooms adjoining rather than en-suite. The family suite comprises two luxurious bedrooms, one with a super king-size bed and the other with a king-size. Finally there is the single room, smaller of course, but very well-equipped and comfortable for one person. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have far-reaching views of the estate and beyond.

The micro-climate of Moray makes it the third most sunny area in the UK. This gives it a pleasant temperature, exceptional hours of summer sunshine and is ideal for outdoor activities. There is so much to do you may need to reconsider the amount of time you plan to stay. It's not just whisky and castles; there is superb scenery, fishing, golf and the Moray Firth is one of the best places in the UK for dolphin-watching.