28 — Sunday. November 1.

1998 - Norih Shore News

Scottish hospitality a honnie good thi

EDINBURGH — In
these grim times for
the Canadian dollar it
was good to find a
place where cash went
further (at least com-
pared to England).

My taxi fare in the Scottish
capital, tor example, was posi-
tively reasonoble after London
prices, and what's more the
driver actually got our and
carried my bags into the
hotel.

The Bonham Hotel's
receptionist was just as cour-
teous. She found a porter,
ordered a morning paper and
asked about restaurant reser-
vations. What I wanted to do
was walk through the elegant
New Town area from the
Bonham to sister hotel the
Howard, home of a dining
room simply known as 36.

For an old city, Edinburgh
has very progressive restau-
rants.

No. 36, for example, takes
traditional Scottish produce,

~sv@rves it lightly with flair and
it all happens in a fashionably
modem room.

The Bonham, too, is stvl-
ish, with spacious rooms and
bathrooms and multi-channel
TVs. It is the newest member
of Scotland’s Hotels of
Distinction, 60 or so private-
ly-owned hotels all over the
country and offering a hand-
book with map which allows
visitors to plan a visit to
Scotland and pre-book hotels
by toll-free phone, fax or

email,

St. Andrews was the next
destination, where the group's
hotel is the well-known
Rufllets, which allowed for a
pleasane lunch on the way at
the Old Manor, overlooking
Lundin Links Golf Club and
the sea.

There is, of course, more
to Scotland than golf, and anv
time Fm in the area | always
take a detour through the
fishing village of Lower Largo
to see the birthplace (in
1676) of Alexander Sctkirk,
better known as Robinson
Cruse.

Salmon fishing and shoot-
ing are che main activities at
Farlever House near Aberteldy
in the heart of the majestic
Perthshire countryside. It’s
close to Menzies Castle,
where Bonnie Prince Charlie
received refuge after the 1745
rebellion, and has beeome just
as famous for its own type of
hospitality.

Farleyer House oozes char-
acter, from its old stone walls
to the superb diving room
that is the acclanied setting
for meals recognized by Taste
of Scotland. Here is tranquilli-
ty, particularly in the new

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176 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, BC

EXPER Ts 926°8511

wa

north shore news

2>'TRAVEL

a

lodge rooms, and a warm staff
who provide excellent service.

Although there are hotels
at Dornoch and beyond, as
well as Clapool on the west
coast, Po was taking the low
road through Glencoe, scene
of the 1692 massacre of the
Macdonalds by the
Campbells. “Phere’s a
climbers’ hostel and bar here
where a sign savs “No hawk-
ers or Campbells

The family-run Lodge on
the Loch near Fort William
has spectacular views over the
water, although the palin trees
in the hotel's arden are just
as impressive. This is a very
comfortable, traditional hotel
whose dining room offers
attractive window tables. The
haggis dish T had there was

delicious.

‘Yo the south hes the hand-
some town of Oban, jumping
off place for the Western Isles,
and the Kintyre peninsula. |
carried on and caught the
Caledonian MacBrayne car
ferry from Chonaig to
Lochranaa on the Isle of
Arran. Here is another of
Scotland's Hotels of
Distinction, Auchrannie
Country House. Arran is a
special place, well worth a
good stay.

Getting back to the main-
land is an casy trip on the new
Caledonian MacBrayne terry
to Ardrossan and the scenic
Ayrshire coast. Best place to
stay is Avr, birthplace of
Robert Burns. Don’t miss his
statue Whose avin is in Srantey

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I 3305 Lonsdale Ave., Park Royal North,
West Vancouver

913-1640

Vancouver

I Al locations ore registered with she B.C. Travel Register

Park opposite Vancouver
Rowing Club.

S staved at Fairticld House,
a Victorian mansion built by a
Glasgow tea merchant.
Located just five minutes
from the town centre ina
quiet area, if has big rooms
with glorious sea views — if
you book them far enough in
advance!

This is a great base for
golfers playing ‘Turnberry,
Royal Troon, Prestwick Golf
Club as well as that tine public
course of Belleiste. Fairfield
House has two restaurants, the
bistro being excellent value.

And so to Glasgow, where

I got lost in the one-way
Ste

Seeing a policeman ona
motorbike by the side of the
read, asked the way to the air-
port: “You want the motor-
wav. Follow me.”

We did just chat, and tive
minutes later ane smiling
policeman was waving us on
our way.

Scotland? Pm going back,
no matter what our loonic
currency does.

§ For more information on
Scotland's Hotels of
Distinetion call 1-800-223-
6510 of email
100670.1521@compuserve.com

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