Charming Scottish Highlands Hotel: The Fife Arms

Arriving at Fife Arms well before our check-in time, we were met by the sweetest yellow lab, Brody, and a gracious staff member who quickly took our bags and made us comfortable in the lounge with teas and scones. This hotel is truly exquisite. When I say lounge, think beautiful drawing room with traditional tartan walls, two Picasso paintings and stuffed sofas flanking an inviting 19th-century fireplace. This is the perfect space to have afternoon tea, enjoy evening cocktails, read a book, or play a round of chess, set up around the room.

Agnus, the nice gentleman and whiskey genius who works at Bertie’s Whiskey Bar at Fife Arms, told us the story of how the owners came to own and recently remodel the lovely Fife. We were told that the two owners, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, stumbled into Fife Arms and had the “worst cup of coffee ever imaginable.” They turned to one another and decided that they could do better. I must note that Iwan and Manuela are co-founders of a famous international art gallery, and with their artistic eyes, they bought the place and brought Fife Arms back to life.

When traveling through the Highlands, I think it is every traveler's dream to stay in a castle. Although The Fife Arms is not a castle, Fife Arms is refreshing, current and exactly what you are looking for when you imagine staying somewhere historic in the Highlands. Previously a Victorian Coaching Inn, often housing guests attending the local Highlander Games or the Braemar Gathering, Iwan and Manuela mindfully remodeled Fife Arms to showcase Scottish heritage and local history. All 46 rooms are uniquely designed to highlight a historical person, location, event or theme, all thoroughly researched and designed to share a cohesive story with the guests living in that room. For example, some Scottish Cultural Rooms highlight the Jacobite Rising of 1745, and others highlight specific Scottish individuals famous for exploring the new world or making advancements in astronomy, philosophy, architecture and design. Every room is beautifully curated and feels warm, cozy and inviting.

The owners have done a great job integrating local history and being a community hub for those in Braemar. Fife Arms has restored and maintained the local public house, now called the Flying Stag, which has always been a local pub for locals and travelers to enjoy a pint or a bite to eat. I had dinner in the Flying Stag, and the food and drink were delicious. I recommend the Steak & Murder Cheese Pie; this was the best pie I ate on my trip and I am still dreaming of it!. I previously mentioned Bertie's Whiskey Bar, and the whiskey collection here is no joke. Named after King Edward VII, nicknamed Bertie, this bar is home to 500 types of whiskey, and this romantic, intimate room is welcoming to all, even if you are not a big whiskey fan. What is a trip to the Highlands without a whiskey tasting? Trust Angus to gauge your palate, and offer you whiskeys that suit your flavor profile. For those of you who do not love whiskey, Fife Arms also has a beautiful wine cellar that offers over 50 types of wine by the glass and 400 wines by the bottle. Join the sommelier in the wine cellar every evening at 4 pm for a Classics or Mountain wine tasting.

The Fife Arms concierge team is diligent, helpful and a pleasure to work with. The team helped me set up to try falconry in the afternoon, and we had a private display while standing on the grounds of the Highland Games Center. The Fife Arms also offers hiking, skeet shooting, golf, design-your-own tartan, fishing, foraging, pony picnics, biking and more. The Fife Arms is also home to a tranquil spa offering massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Fife Arm’s attention to detail and thoughtfulness exceeded all expectations. When I arrived in my room, the desk was covered in complementary goods, ranging from postcards and a journal to locally crafted sweets and shortbread. The minibar offered complimentary soft drinks, fruit and crisps. Fife Arms also provided small decanters of locally made whiskey and gin in each room, letting each guest indulge in the local craft.

Fife Arms is suitable for all guests, even families with young children. Fife Arms built a beautiful and colorful “Family Room,” which houses crafting supplies, a television, games, stuffed animals and children's books. The red walls and stuffed animals make up a playful dream room. I met a young couple traveling with their 15-month-old, and they told me that Fife Arms put a stuffed highland cow in the crib for their daughter, which she immediately fell in love with. These thoughtful touches go above hotel luxury and make you feel taken care of.

I cannot recommend Fife Arms enough. Fife Arms is located in the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, and is a wonderful option for couples, families — even those with young children — and groups looking to immerse themselves in Scottish culture, beautiful art and greenery. However, I will warn the animal lovers out there that the taxidermy in the hotel is tasteful yet prominent.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Scotland. In need of further inspiration? Check out Hagen Hodges’s guide, Why I Chose Scotland For My Honeymoon.