Independent Guide Books Recommend us to You!

Good Hotel Guide - included each year since 1992.
Superb independent guide book which we recommended as THE way to find a place to stay in the whole of the UK. We have always championed this book.
DO buy it for your travels! See Online Guide
"Budget hotel. Wonderful views of Spey Valley"
"the truly welcoming hosts   ...   Guests are introduced to each other"
"Beds are properly made with good linen"     "Breakfast is a 'tour de force' with home made marmalade and jams, honey from the garden, haggis, locally made sausages, & free range eggs"

NEW from The Good Hotel Guide for 2007:
We have been listed as one of the UK's top 10 establishments for our Green credentials!
"Owners Ian Kirk and Eric Hart are proud of their green credentials at their Spey valley Edwardian hunting lodge. Laundry is washed in bleach-free powder and line dried; everything possible is recycled; no foods are pre-packaged. Stale beer keeps down the snails in the organic garden. Low-wattage bulbs; firewood from felled local forests"
See our thoughts on 20 years of "Being Green" >>>>

Egon Ronay since 1990.
"enjoys a spectacularly beautiful location. Good value" "wide ranging and fairly priced wine list, with a good showing from New Zealand" Included in the Hotel and Restaurant sections, and recommended in a separate chapter for good value hotels and another for hotels in beautiful situations.

Time Out - first edition 2006
"sitting in the lounge, it's easy to imagine yourself at a pre World War 1 house party"
"the garden is a real feature - decorative but also for the growing of herbs, leaves, fruit & veg"
" there's rarely room at dinner for non-residents, but that's more of an incentive to stay over"
"Ian Kirk and Eric Hart have created something special here"
"most hotels (in Speyside) are unable to fill their dining rooms every evening with residents - exception being Auchendean Lodge"

Eating British new in 2004, introduced by Prince Charles, well known for his interest in traditionally produced foods.
"in the Cairngorms National Park, with sensational river and mountain views, priding itself on the organic food from their own garden, home produced eggs, honey, jams, soft fruits, 40 varieties of potato, named at table each night. The cheese board is
left on the table. Fungi is a particular speciality. Unusually, dogs are welcome"

The Scotsman - July 2007
This tiny converted hunting lodge may not look much, but it offers some of the best food and views anywhere in Scotland. The owners, Ian Kirk and Eric Hart, make all the meals themselves from local produce - including a breakfast with pinhead oatmeal porridge cooked slowly overnight you will remember for years. One of Scotland's best-kept secrets.

Taste of Scotland every year since 1989.
(Sadly now lost to the excesses of the Scottish Tourist Board - which itself is now called visitScotland! - see at bottom below)
"It's unique! Great food, wonderful views and Edwardian charm" "Original, talented, eclectic cooking. A unique dining experience" "No wonder guests return year after year"
"The relaxing atmosphere here - quirky and individual - is a delight"

MacAllan/Taste of Scotland Awards
Award Winners 2000/2001 for "Dedication to the use of Local Seasonal Produce"
See the pictures.....

Scotland the Best! - In every edition including the first in 1993
The most wonderful book with the best of anything you may want whilst touring Scotland. Views, walks, fish & chip shops as well as hotels!
"Inexpensive. Food with flair and imagination" "An urbane enclave in an area of stunning scenery"
"Tastefully and cosily furnished with fires good malts, cellar and books"
"Food with flair and imagination - they know their oysters and their mushrooms"

"EAT - Most imaginative menu in wide area of S Speyside, incl Aviemore"
"A Highland retreat with lots of outdoorsy things to do. Ian and Eric well on the case"

The Best Tastes of Scotland new for 2005.
"a real gem", "convivial & accomplished hosts", "particularly charming & comfortable", "passion & interest in quality & exquisite flavours"

DK. Eyewitness Guide -
"Set in spectacular scenery......this welcoming hotel......conveniently situated for Speyside distilleries and the alluring countryside"

Scottish Food Guide -
A simple, Web based critical guide concentrating on the essentials of good Scottish food.

Rough Guide -
Accommodation - "the smart Auchendean Lodge Hotel, three miles southeast of Grantown near Dulnain Bridge, best known for its gourmet meals.
Restaurants - "To eat out in style head for the Auchendean Lodge Hotel near Dulnain Bridge, where the highly rated meals sometimes include locally collected mushrooms"

Ackerman, Charles Heidsieck Guide -
"This is a perfect place for a holiday at any time of the year with so many local activities"
"There is something for everyone"

Sara Villiers of The Glasgow Herald - (who is aparently known by folk in Glasgow as Sarah Vitriol!)
"A mind boggling 24 varieties of potato, our spud was Kestrel - bursting with flavour"
"the big, old fashioned, well polished cutlery is fantastic"	"An outstanding banana and kiwi fruit pavlova"
"The cheese board is generous"		"the wine and drinks list is comprehensive"
"the wild rabbit legs were delicious"

Michelin "Exceptional view of Spey Valley and Cairngorms"

Inn Places - "The Scottish dinners were superb. The hosts were very friendly and warmly welcomed us".
"I would recommend this place without hesitation, but plan on two nights. One night will make you want another."

Scottish Tourist Board Rating: * * * * 4 Star small hotel.
Please note that this was the rating and these were comments we received whilst still full paying members of the STB.
This was before the PPP arrangement with visitScotland kicked in, which we felt caused a serious drop in the standards of the organisation, to the detriment of all members. As a result, we left the scheme and are no longer assessed by vS or the STB.
See the current battle against vS & STB's practices at http://www.reclaimvs.com.

"All rooms en-suite with bath and / or shower and stunning views, unequalled in this area"
"The gardens are well maintained and colourful" "the public areas ... are full of character and interest" "All rooms are individually furnished and well decorated, with an excellent range of pictures, posters and such like" "the rooms are of a good size, particularly room 8" "The dining room is to an excellent standard, with quality ornaments, table appointments and furnishings"

Awards for good food have been given
on several occasions, from -
Taste of Scotland:
MacAllan Whisky:
The Scottish Field Magazine:
Charles Heidsieck Champagnes:
Carlton Brut Pecher.

Other Independent Awards:-
Investor In People Scheme
Hikers and Cyclists Welcome
Dairy Crest for
"Excellence of Cheese Board"

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