Author: Rebecca Odessa

Back in the day, when on holiday, I used to stay in places like this…

But thanks to my fella, I now stay in places like this…

This gorgeous place is the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, Scotland. My wonderful fella took me here for a 3 night stay last week, and they were by far the best 3 nights I have spent on the planet. Not only is the hotel an extravaganza of opulence and art, but the surrounding village and countryside are exceptionally beautiful.

Given that my fella and I are common folk, we were worried that the staff at the Fife Arms would think we were scratch-card winners. But that didn’t stop us lapping up the luxury like we were born to it. And, I have to say, I was surprised how quickly we adapted.

Every aspect of the hotel was sumptuous, from the décor, to the furnishings, to the amazing art on the walls, and in some cases, the ceiling.

My favourite place in the Hotel was the drawing room, which was particularly beautiful in the evening, with a roaring fire, divine cocktails, and the sweet sound of people playing board games.

My fella’s favourite place was by the Burns (as in Robbie) fireplace in the reception room. It was a highly coveted possie, and people often circled round to see if it was vacant. My fella managed to hold-fort there a couple of times, much to his satisfaction.

We were really lucky with the weather while we were there, and were able to roam around the village and the countryside…though not before stopping at the boot room to don our wellingtons…I say!!

Braemar is nestled in the Cairngorm mountains, next to the River Clunie, which runs into the River Dee close by. We took a lovely walk by the rivers on our first day, which was really wonderful. I especially loved the confluence between the Dee and the Clunie, given that a river confluence is at the heart of my research project for my masters.

Braemar is also home to the Highland Games. Although they weren’t on while we were there, we were able to visit the grounds where they are held, and partake in the try-outs for next year.

Each of the rooms at the Fife Arms is themed, and we stayed in one of the Poetry and Nature rooms – ours being dedicated to the Scottish poet and writer Nan Shepherd. Nan loved the Cairngorm mountains and wrote many poems about them. She also wrote a prose book about them, called The Living Mountain, for which she is best known. Not only did I buy her book (which is evocative and beautifully written), my fella and I also visited the little house (known locally as a bothy) she used to write in. That day, we had the choice of going to Balmoral Castle (which was nearby), or take a walk in the hills to Nan’s bothy. I am so glad we chose the latter.

Everything about our stay at the Fife Arms was wonderful. Naturally the best part was being with my beautiful fella. A close second was drinking White Russians in the drawing room, then eating dinner in a pleasantly drunken state, like all posh people do.

Everything seemed very dowdy and unspectacular when we got home, and we have been pining for the Highlands (and the Highlife) ever since. To console myself, I have been reading Nan Shepherd’s The Living Mountain book, and even made a video about her for The Wisdom Daily this week. To be honest, as beautiful as the Fife Arms was, I think I would be just as happy holed up with my fella in Nan’s bothy, provided there was a roaring fire, a steady supply of White Russians, and a turn-down service.