STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Just a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh, The Bonnie Badger delivers an exceptionally warm welcome.
The charming ivy-clad exterior and flower arrangements on entering are the perfect introduction to the hotel’s focus on nature and the countryside.
Husband and wife team Tom and Michaela Kitchin provide a “nature to plate” philosophy in the Michelin Star pub. The Stables dining room is an experience in its own right with the original beams of a horse stable going back to 1836 while the fireplace and sandstone walls all add to an evocative countryside air.
SLEEPING MATTERS
We were guests in one of the garden cottages at the rear of the garden.
The fresh sea air, comfortable Hypnos mattress and Egyptian cotton meant I was out like a light. The rooms also include natural sprays that help send you to sleep. There are 12 double occupancy rooms.
On a hot day, staff provided home-made biscuits and a fresh ginger drink.
The rooms feature Scottish textiles and linens, and a spacious marble bathroom is stocked with a range of Scottish toiletries. The experience is complete with a walk-in shower.
A coffee machine and a selection of teas are also provided. The cuddly do-not disturb-badger suggests the attention to detail and thought that goes into the overall experience.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The fresh seafood is stunning. We were guests in the Genesis lounge where Tom Kitchn served North Berwick lobster. The hand-dived Orkney scallops with snail butter and asparagus are exceptional. Responsible sourcing, local produce, seasoning and cooking are all at the heart of this imaginative food experience.
The Scottish breakfast was the perfect start before I was invited “inside the ropes” on a blustery day at the Scottish Open.
A three-course set lunch menu is available Monday to Friday and there are some modern twists on classic pub food.
ABOUT THE AREA
With 22 golf courses in the area, there are plenty of guests here relaxing after playing 18 holes. We were guests at the Scottish Open, when the hotel catered to an interesting mix of golf fans, couples on coastal walks and visitors from Edinburgh popping in for a game of pool and a pint.
NICE TOUCH
The Broc Bar is the ideal spot to watch a game while you dine. For football fans, there are various fascinating items including framed Liverpool FC programmes, Celtic’s Billy McNeill on a vintage Typhoo tea poster and a photo of Kenny Dalglish pulling a pint in the bar. Graeme Souness was also recently the special guest for a charity event.
The pool room was the perfect way to relax with a drink on arrival.
With thanks to Genesis Cars, the Genesis studio is now open on Multrees Walk, Edinburgh. For more information, visit genesis.com
For more information on Bonnie Badger, visit bonniebadger.com
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