Cool Summer Family Destination: The Fife Arms in the Highlands

March 6th, 2024

Family travel is the number one trend for 2024 according to Virtuoso, rising in popularity as travelers look to spend more time with loved ones and prioritize authentic experiences. Offering endless cultural adventures and ideal for those seeking cooler temperatures, Scotland is the ultimate destination for families and multi-generational groups this season. So, this spring, follow the lead of one of Europe’s most famous families—the British Royal Family—and plan a holiday to the Scottish Highlands, where the Fife Arms serves as the ultimate base for outdoor adventures, cultural fun, and milestone celebrations.

Family Camp

At Fife Arms, families can enjoy family camp-style fun, no matter the time of year. Boost creativity with sketching or creative writing classes, or embark on a family adventure into Cairngorms National Park (the largest National Park in the U.K.) to forage for wild delicacies like edible plants and flowers. In spring, the park comes to life with the return of migrating birds like the mighty Osprey and the Black Grouse Lek—which makes it a thrilling place for aspiring birders! Cairngorms is also a certified International Dark Sky Park; on two-hour stargazing experiences led by a professional astronomer, guests use telescopes to identify constellations and learn about heavenly bodies. For those visiting before the end of March, there’s a chance to witness the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky!

Trip with Grown-Up Kids

The ultimate gift for a new college graduate? A trip to the Scottish Highlands to take part in the fun-filled Kilted Open golf tournament, May 17-19. This year, the annual tournament is taking place on not one, but two historic courses: the iconic Braemar Golf Club, where golden eagles, stags and other rare wildlife make up the peanut gallery, and the grounds of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852. Players are encouraged to wear kilts and come up with a creative team name: the best name wins a prize!

In honor of the event, The Fife Arms—the official partner of the tournament—has put together a celebratory weekend package that includes a two-night stay, a wine pairing dinner, 9th-hole refreshments, 19th-hole BBQ and drinks, and more. Back on property, families can toast to the achievements of the new grad at the atmospheric Bertie’s Bar, where young connoisseurs can hone their tastes by sampling from a menu of 350+ whiskies.

Where to Go: May 2024

February 22nd, 2024

From strolling the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show to playing the Kilted Open golf tournament in Scotland to relaxing on the coast of Sardinia at Belmond’s newest opening, our top destinations for May are below!

London, UK

There’s no better time to stroll through London’s streets than in May when the temperatures begin to rise and the flowers begin to bloom. Everyone says that April showers bring May flowers – London is certainly no exception. The city’s annual Chelsea Flower Show is a world-renowned event for garden enthusiasts, showcasing breathtaking floral displays and innovative garden designs. Visitors can also learn from expert horticulturalists and explore the latest gardening trends. Stay in the heart of Chelsea at The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London. During the show, stunning floral displays will frame the property’s front door and guests are invited to experience various flower-themed offerings including botanical cocktails and a floral-inspired afternoon tea by star pâtissier Benoit Blin. The property also offers early access to London’s oldest botanical garden and private tennis courts in Cadogan Place Gardens year-round.

Costa Smeralda, Italy

Italy topped Virtuoso’s top Honeymoon, Family and Global Destinations lists for 2024 and there’s no better place to experience Italy in May than Costa Smeralda. Located on the island of Sardinia, the coastal area boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters, breathtaking landscapes and pristine white sand beaches that have been enjoyed by celebrities such as the Clooneys, the Obamas and Elton John. Luxury hotel brand Belmond is joining the fun with the opening of Romazzino, a Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda at the end of the month. The property overlooks Costa Smeralda’s most picturesque coastline and is located on the alluring white beach of Spiaggia Del Romazzino. Conceived by Aga Khan in the 1960s and designed by famed architect Michele Busiri Vici, the hotel cultivated a reputation as Sardinia’s original beach hotel. Upon its reopening as a Belmond hotel, Romazzino will offer enchanting guest rooms including suites and villas, wellness facilities, artisanal experiences and two shimmering blue pools along a stretch of private beach to complete the villeggiatura experience.

Barcelona, Spain

Experience un día perfecto in Barcelona during the month of May with less tourists, milder temperatures and longer days. Stroll comfortably through the captivating Gothic Quarter, take stunning pictures of Sagrada Familia or enjoy line-free tapas at the city’s top foodie spots. Music lovers can get tickets for Primavera Sound, the city’s largest music festival starting on May 30th with Lana Del Rey, SZA, and Charli XCX on this year’s lineup. Between food, location and experiences, there’s no better place to experience the Catalonian capital than Almanac Barcelona. The property is located just off the Passeig de Gràcia and boasts a rooftop bar with a plunge pool and 360º views of the city, a plant-forward restaurant with a focus on fermented foods and probiotic drink pairings and a solo traveler package for any single travelers.  To keep up with traveler demand this summer, United is launching its new daily flight route from San Francisco in May, marking the airline’s first time connecting the two cities. American Airlines will also join the fun with a new nonstop service from Dallas-Fort Worth to debut in June.

Napa Valley, CA

When travelers think of Napa Valley, they think of wine, but the region also offers a growing vibrant music scene. Come May, this stretch of Northern California will welcome the 11th annual BottleRock, one the country’s top music festivals with artists, including Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks, The Offspring, Nora Jones and Spanish rock veterans Mana. The three-day event, May 24-26, will have over 75 acts with stars from across half a century of music. In addition to performances, visitors can expect culinary experiences by Michelin-starred restaurants (La Toque and Press to name a few) and vino tastings by Schramsberg Vineyards, Napa Valley’s sparkling powerhouse. (This is wine country after all.)

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

The best way to enjoy Scotland in the summer is wearing a kilt while golfing, obviously. While the first recorded golf game was established in Scotland in the 15th century, golf enthusiasts can still book a spot at the Kilted Open (May 17-19), an annual tournament celebrating held in partnership with The Fife Arms hotel. Players are encouraged to wear kilts and come with an impressive team name; the best name wins a prize! The first half of the weekend is held at the historic Braemar Golf Club (1902) in the Cairngorms National Park, where players have the chance to swing their clubs while being watched over by golden eagles, stags and other rare wildlife. New this year, guests have the exclusive opportunity to play golf on the grounds of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852.  On Sunday, players are brought to the Royal golf course to play nine holes, followed by a BBQ lunch prepared by the Balmoral team using produce from the estate.  The place to stay while enjoying Scotland’s most famous sporting export is none other than the event’s hotel partner, The Fife Arms. A celebratory weekend package is now available and includes a two-night stay, a wine pairing dinner, 9th-hole refreshments, 19th-hole BBQ and drinks, and more.

Nantucket, MA

Warmer weather and fewer crowds make visiting Nantucket in May the perfect destination for an idyllic island getaway. The highlight of Nantucket in May is the 26th annual Nantucket Wine Festival, a four-day festival taking place from May 15th to 19th. The festival will showcase an impressive lineup of world-renowned winemakers and chefs, as well as tasting events and educational seminars. White Elephant Resorts will sponsor the Grand Cru Festival and host the keynote event, the Grand Tastings, where guests can sample more than 600 different wines from over 150 wineries around the world. For a quiet retreat with no shortage of award-winning culinary options, stay at The Wauwinet on the northeast end of the island. The property is home to TOPPER’s, the consecutive Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award” recipient for the past 27 years. It has the largest wine cellar on the island and a multi-million-dollar wine collection. Guests staying at The Wauwinet can tour the cellar and enjoy a wine-paired dinner at TOPPER’s, the perfect pairing with the wine festival. The Wauwinet offers a festival package allowing guests to book the Louis Roederer Wine Dinner curated by Chef Kyle, featuring delightful champagne and Camille ‘Hommage’ varietals [Jetblue and Delta nonstop flights from Laguardia to Nantucket start up again in May for the season].

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Everyone

January 5th, 2024

Whether it’s a coffee table book, a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a gift from a hotel shop, there’s something for every friend, partner and family member this Valentine’s Day!

Books – a few beautiful coffee table books for aesthetes

Jamaica Vibes by Assouline

The Paramount Pictures film, Bob Marley: One Love, will hit theaters on February 14, 2024, providing a look at the legendary musician’s rise to fame. A household name, Marley put Jamaica on the map, inspiring countless other artists and creatives. The nation’s pride is reflected in the music, dance, cuisine and literature that originated in Jamaica, but has since influenced people across the globe. Now, the most stylish Caribbean nation has inspired Assouline’s newest title, Jamaica Vibes, with a foreword by music industry legend and Island Outpost founder Chris Blackwell. There are over 200 glossy photos taken by globally-renowned photographers, including Slim Aarons. The book is part of Assouline’s iconic Travel Series and retails for $105.

Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation by Assouline

Belmond will open the brand’s ninth property in Italy in 2024, inviting guests to experience villeggiatura at Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda. Prepare yourself for the Italian sunshine with Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation, an exquisite coffee table book from Assouline and Belmond. With vivid imagery and evocative descriptions by former Vogue Italia editor Cesare Cunaccia, the book will take readers on a journey to Belmond’s collection of heritage hotels: Cipriani in Venice, Splendido and Splendido Mare in Portofino, Villa San Michele in Florence, Castello di Casole in Tuscany, Caruso in Ravello, and Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea in Taormina, Sicily. Available on Assouline.com retailing for $95.

UXUA Utopia: A Very Gifted Guest House

The boutique property on the Bahian coast of Brazil tends to attract a cool crowd (Anderson Cooper loved it so much that he built a house; its where Solange Knowles spent her honeymoon; models like Candice Swanepoel have been spotted there…), so it’s no surprise that leading trend forecaster Li Edelkoort joined forces to release this coffee table book. The 288 pages combine elements of design, art, and travel, exploring owner Wilbert Das’ achievements in establishing values for a new world through a local project meant to set a global example. Past guests can reminisce about their holidays while flipping through the beautiful pages, and those yet to visit can daydream and imagine themselves in the tropical paradise of Trancoso, Brazil. The book retails for $150.

Food & Beverage – for the foodies in the family

007 Special Edition Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum

Chris Blackwell – the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and owner of Ian Fleming’s former residence, GoldenEye – launched a 007 Collector’s Edition of his prized Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum in 2023 in celebration of over 60 years of the James Bond film franchise. The packaging features a black and white photo of one of the original cinema lobby cards from the Dr. No film. Fewer than 1,000 boxes were made, and all are hand-numbered and include a personalized and signed note from Chris Blackwell. A rare gift for the connoisseur, the Blackwell Rum 007 Collector’s Edition features a special bottle of Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum (750 mL in the US and 700 mL in the UK/Europe), sold exclusively on blackwellrum.com and 007store.com and retailing for $700.

Artisan Olive Oil from Tenuta di Murlo in Umbria

Tenuta di Murlo’s exclusive olive oil, harvested at the 18,000-acre estate from a blend of Dolce Agogia, Frantoio, Leccino, and Moraiolo olives holds the DOP label (Protected Designation of Origin) that is awarded to products that are produced, processed and prepared with ingredients from the specific region. For subtle amaro and spicy flavors, while also enjoying a fruity aroma with herbaceous notes, gift a bundle of three bottles for $83 on shop.murlo.com.

Elevated Gifts from the Chicest Hotel Shops

Exclusive Artisan Crafts at the Fife Arms

A dog is man’s best friend (or valentine!). Show your pup some love with The Fife Arms’ exclusive dog accessories, including a tweed & leather collar and a travel blanket. Designed exclusively by Araminta Campbell, the tweed’s pattern and palette are drawn from the ‘Green Mar’ tweed that the Duke of Fife would have worn when out hunting. The collar retails for $39 and the blanket retails for $87.

Nantucket Charm at home with White Elephant x Arhaus: The Limited-Edition Cashmere Throw

Arhaus, a leader in artisan-crafted home furnishings and décor, has teamed up with White Elephant Nantucket’s iconic harbor front resort for an exterior refresh as part of the property’s 100th-anniversary renovation. To commemorate this exciting collaboration, the exclusive and co-branded White Elephant x Arhaus embroidered throw blanket is available both online and in-store at the hotel’s newly redesigned retail space for $299. This limited-edition Cashmere Throw boasts supreme softness, rich colors, and a touch of classic style. Its fringed edges add texture, making it a perfect addition.

Elegant Teatime with The Westbury’s Finest Set

Relax with your valentine using The Westbury’s quintessential set of afternoon teacups and saucers. Available in a set of two, are crafted from the finest bone china and with a hand-painted gold rim. It elevates a DIY afternoon tea experience from the cozy confines of home. This set is available on shop.doylecollection.com, with a retail price of $88.

Charlotte & Co Dromoland Castle

Instead of the requisite trinkets that often fill hotel gift shops, Dromoland Castle’s Charlotte & Co, a boutique celebrating Irish artisans and giving visitors a one-stop shop to pick up an authentic, Irish-made item to remember their trip. While jewelry and chocolates tend to get a lot of attention over Valentine’s Day, Dromoland Castle’s Charlotte & Co. boutique has some more creative options, such as Belfast Bow Company with its selection of bowties, cufflinks, and pocket squares (think fun Liberty prints and Irish linen) and skincare products from plant-based Irish brand Seabody.

GIFT GUIDE: Bring Braemar, Scotland Home with Artisan-Made, Luxury Products

October 13th, 2022

The New Christmas Collection and All-Time Best Sellers from the Fife Arms Help Bring the Nature and Style of Braemar, Scotland Home

For a holiday gift that’s a cut above the rest, feast your eyes on these hand-crafted collectibles from Scotland’s Fife Arms. Lovingly handcrafted by some of the best local and regional artisans, these gifts speak to Scotland’s rich craft heritage and deep storytelling traditions. From a writer’s gift box and sable-hair paint brushes to a cocktail stirrer from Queen Elizabeth II’s silversmith, these 25 gifts are sure to bring festive cheer and artful inspiration to the most discerning travelers on your list.

The Fife Arms Tartan Gift Box

A treasure trove of tartan imagined by Scottish textile artist Araminta Campbell (who designed the hotel’s house ‘sett,’ or pattern), this curated gift box is steeped in the woodsy coziness of the Scottish Highlands. Among its treasures include a buttery-soft cashmere scarf, a hot water bottle wrapped in tartan cashmere, a tin of Brodies Scottish shortbread, and a set of black-and-white postcards wrapped in yarn and featuring a Fife Arms pencil.

Needle-Felted Christmas Tree Decoration

What will it be — a flying stag, a white hare, a highland cow, or a ptarmigan bird? These needle-felted Christmas decorations will dress your mantelpiece in holiday cheer, bringing some of the beloved animals of the Highlands into your family home. Artist Doreen Cowe uses fleeces from local farms in Aberdeen to create these charming animals, each of which takes 2-3 hours to make!

The Fife Arms Artist’s & Writer’s Gift Box

Buying for a writer? This beautiful gift box —inspired by the Artist’s Studio, a room in the Fife Arms that pays tribute to the Bloomsbury Group and the interiors they created at Charleston House – is sure to stoke their literary aspirations.  A horn magnifying glass, thistle paperweight, and a set of postcards make for beautiful desk accessories, while a cashmere silk stole (in the hotel’s custom tartan pattern) will keep your writer friends cozy as they burn the midnight oil. Finally, the Fife Arms Botanical Painting & Writing Inks Artist’s Sketchbook is an inspiring canvas for all their best ideas and observations.

Scottish Botanical Painting & Writing Inks

Artisans Rebecca Wallace and Pip Seymour worked in close collaboration with the Fife Arms to create this bespoke set of natural inks which are made from seasonal plants and botanicals (elderberry, nettle, birch soot, meadowsweet and more) foraged from the hotel and its surrounding landscapes by the lodge’s in-house forager. Pair with a sable brush, a Scottish reed pen, or a traditional dip pen for exquisite results!

Hand-Knitted Highland Hare Egg Cosies

These adorable egg cosies were crafted by two members of the knitting collective Deeside Knitwits. Like little hats for your ouefs, these hand-knitted fabrics are done in an assortment of colors (inspired by the Fife Arm’s house tartan!) and topped with charming mountain hares, which are found in the surrounding Cairngorms National Park. It’s the surest way to brighten any breakfast table!

Scottish Reed Pen

The most common writing implements in antiquity, reed pens have long been favored by calligraphers and artists alike (including Van Gogh) for their precise and expressive ink strokes. This set of traditional reed pens were made from common reeds that were harvested in Scotland in late spring, cut when they were green and soft, and have stiffened over time, becoming strong enough for writing and drawing.

Constellation Journal

The skies above Braemar, which is situated in the Cairngorms National Park, constitute the most northerly International Dark Sky Park. This ‘Constellation’ journal — crafted by Glasgow-based bookbinding studio Juju Books, which is run by a prize-winning bookbinder and QEST Craft Scholar Gillian Stewart—is an ode to the area’s star-filled night skies, with soft linen book cloth hand finished with celestial flourishes in gold.

Artist’s Concertina Sketchbook

Also from the Glasgow studio Juju Books is this beautiful ‘Concertina’ sketchbook. The notepad is ideal for doodlers thanks to its clever folding arrangement that allows for the pages to be used front and back, portrait and landscape, opening 4 different ways. Best of all, its paper is milled from recycled coffee cups, hand-bound in soft linen book cloth, and hand-tooled with gold foil to finish — an exquisite mix of high and low!

The Fife Arms Leather Luggage Tag

Made from bridle leather, a durable material that is traditionally used in horse saddles, this handsome luggage tag (in black and tan) adds an air of refined luxury to your luggage. Each tag is individually crafted in the Scottish workshop of McRostie, which has been making handcrafted leather goods since 1887, and has a unique patina that will only get better with age.

Florentine Sable Brushes

Handmade in a family-run workshop in Florence, Italy, these superior quality paint brushes boast an exquisitely fine tip made from pure sable hair. Choose from a set of three (with a small, medium, or large brush) or individual brushes that pair beautifully with other gifts like the Scottish Botanical Painting & Writing Inks.

Sterling Silver Glassware Accessories

Add some Scottish flair to cocktail hour with these sterling silver glassware accessories, hand crafted by the Edinburgh-based workshop of Hamilton & Inches. Since its founding in 1866, the firm has been the go-to silversmith of the English aristocracy, known for its responsible sourcing and practices and its peerless design. Choose from a cocktail stirrer with a stag’s head design, stag antler ice tongs, or a decanter label (or “bottle tickets”) that can help you elegantly identify the juice in your decanter.  Other treasures include a ‘Highland Cow’ cocktail stirrer stamped with the Platinum Jubilee hallmark, a silver stirrer engraved with the Fife Arms crest, or a silver wine coaster that’s both practical and pleasing to the eye, designed to prevent spillages and slide between diners on polished tables.

The Fife Arms Celestial Globe

The exceptional darkness of the night is what attracts avid stargazers to Cairngorms National Park, the majestic setting of The Fife Arms. And now that this limited-edition black porcelain globe has been exclusively created for the Fife Arms, constellation-lovers all over the world can glimpse the star-spangled sky as seen from above the hotel. Marked by needlepoint and hand-painted, each globe is an heirloom piece set in an emerald-green nappa and oak pocket case on an oak stand.

The Fife Arms Paper Globe

Charlotte Bourros is a skilled paper artist based in southwest France who creates classic glass globes that capture the essence of a place. For The Fife Arms, Bourros created a bespoke globe that features the hotel’s façade amid Scottish flora and fauna and other iconic images of the Highlands — all intricately hand-crafted out of cards. It’s the ultimate memento from the property, transporting guests to the special place from the palm of their hands.

The Fife Arms Christmas Stocking

This hand-stitched stocking from Hunt & Hope is crafted using 100% British wool that’s sourced, spun, and dyed in the UK. Depicting a majestic Highland stag, a leaping hare, the rushing Clune Water, and a glass of whisky, it’s a heritage piece that’s meant to be passed down through the generations.

The Fife Arms Binoculars

Guests of the Fife Arms are known to stop by the hotel’s gift shop to stock up on durable essentials before long hikes through the Cairngorms National Park. A favorite purchase are these state-of-the-art Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD binoculars, housed inside a structured bridle leather case crafted by McRostie’s Scottish workshop that can be easily swung over the shoulder on outdoor adventures.

The Fife Arms Deer Leather Journal Cover

Billy Tannery is known for its sustainable, black-tanned leather goods that age beautifully over time. The small-batch tannery used deer hides sourced from around the U.K. to craft this leather journal cover which features the Fife Arms house tartan and its crest—plus a journal made of recycled leather fibers and a Fife Arms pencil.

The Fife Arms Deer Leather Backpack

Also from Billy Tannery is this handsome zip-top backpack, which is crafted from deer hides sources from around the UK. The thick and buttery-soft carrier features two pockets and a padded laptop compartment, with a lining trimmed with the Fife Arms house tartan.

Elsa’s Cocktail Suitcase Hamper

For the ultimate holiday gift, look no further than the Fife Arms signature hamper, packed into a handmade linen-bound suitcase with leather handle and straps, and containing the very best the hotel has to offer: a cocktail shaker, 2 Highball glasses, a silver candle holder, a stag’s head cocktail stirrer, Scottish honey and tea, Fife Arms playing cards, Albamhor Body wash and hand & body lotion, and the Fife Arms notebooks, postcards, and pencil.

The Fife Arms Cocktail Shaker

When it comes to holiday entertaining, the difference is in the details. This handsome nickel-plated cocktail shaker inspired by the hotel’s glamorous Art Deco cocktail bar is sure to leave a lasting impression, adding a dose of retro style to your bar cart.

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