After a dawn start and a cold day in walking boots and sports gear we got dressed for dinner and came down from our bedroom to a lovely dining room (not super stuffy formal, just nice with white table linen and good glassware) and loved our meal from start to finish...
We opted out of the ten course tasting menu, but between extra amuse-bouches and other inter-course delights we weren’t far off ten courses anyway, and each one was, in its own way, just perfect with excellently paired flavours and food combinations rarely found outside a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The Scottish Maitre d' (didn’t get his name) deserves a special mention... His service was amazing... The knowledge he imparted was fantastic and he was friendly without being too familiar... I loved how he suggested a glass of Banyuls over a Port for my cheese board (which, by the way, was a choice I will always make from hereon in) and how he talked us through each dish without patrimony nor familiarity and involved himself as much as he thought our interest allowed (we were very interested in most ingredients and cooking techniques it is fair to say!)... He didn't push the tasting menu on us like some fine dining places do - and nor did he push big wines. The food itself was excellent - really Michelin-worthy & a real gourmet treat. This is definitely a place for foodies and gourmands.
Aside from the restaurant, we loved the receptionist and the fire in the hall. Our only negative point would be that the hotel needs a good lick of paint to the exterior, but that didn't affect our stay whatsoever...