Ballathie House Hotel Blog

Treble success for Ballathie at the Hotel of the Year Awards

2011-05-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

Top country wedding award is icing on the cake for Ballathie!

Ballathie House Hotel has had its growing reputation for hosting wedding receptions crowned by being named Scotland's top country wedding venue of 2011.

Manager Arnaud Merrouche collected the trophy at the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards at a gala dinner attended by more than 400 guests in Glasgow and then picked up his own award for Corporate Hospitality.

Head Housekeeper Maureen Grant, who has been at Ballathie for 17 years, made it a treble for the luxury hotel on the banks of the River Tay at Kinclaven, Perthshire, when she was presented with the 'Superstar Housekeeper' Award.

Arnaud, who was promoted to the post of Manager last year after many years as the hotel's restaurant and duty manager, commented: "It's a remarkable success to win three awards in these 'Oscars' of the Scottish hospitality industry and underlines the high quality we always strive to achieve across the board."

Ballathie, which recently held a popular wedding fair, can host wedding receptions for up to 200 people.

"There are many countryside venues throughout Scotland which provide top class service and beautiful settings for weddings," Arnaud added. "We are very proud that the judges decided that Ballathie is the best of them all."

His Hospitality Award was presented in recognition of the high standard of customer service which he personally provides and oversees at the 52 bedroom hotel.

Save the Children Lunch & Fashion Show

2011-03-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

Ballathie was at the cutting edge of fashion when it hosted a display by leading Perth clothes and millinery shops in aid of Save the Children.
The lunchtime charity fashion show was a huge success, with tickets sold out well before the event.

Guests praised the hotel's elegant dining room, high quality lunch and Ballathie's glorious riverside setting which proved a classy backdrop.

In addition to ticket sales, a raffle draw raised £570 with prizes including a painting donated by local artist Marion Coral Paterson.

Boutique Marian's of Perth displayed items from its Summer collection and millinery specialist Elegance showed how to get ahead in the fashion stakes with a magnificent selection of hats.

Save the Children has expressed interest in making the event an annual occasion to help raise funds for its work in helping some of Scotland's most disadvantaged youngsters.

Ballathie Wins Warm Reception from Michelin Guide

2011-02-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ballathie House Hotel has been given a big thumbs-up in the latest edition of one of the UK's top guidebooks.

The 39-bedroom hotel on the banks of the Tay at Kinclaven near Perth "is imbued with a tranquil, charming atmosphere," and has "elegant, individually furnished bedrooms and a richly alluring restaurant overlooking the river," the iconic Michelin Guide reports in its 2011 edition.

Last year Ballathie was voted the best rural restaurant in the Scottish Hotel Awards.

Manager Arnaud Merrouche said the hotel "is particularly pleased to be so well rated in such a prestigious and highly regarded guide book, especially since its reviews and recommendations are the result of an inspector's anonymous visits. Furthermore, unlike some other publications, reviewed establishments do not pay to be listed."

The Michelin Guide recommends a large and diverse selection of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and pubs in all price categories and across every region of the UK and Ireland.

Save the Children Lunch and Fashion Show

2011-02-06T03:53:00.000-08:00

Registered charity England and Wales (213890) Scotland (SC039570)

Tuesday 1st March 2011 @ 12.15

Leading clothes shops in Perth are joining forces with Ballathie House Hotel to help some of Scotland's most vulnerable children. Please help support Save the Children and enjoy a delicious lunch in our award-winning restaurant, followed by a fashion show with models displaying clothes from Marian's Boutique and hats from milliners Elegance, of Perth, as well as other fashion accessories.

See our website for further details

Ballathie's first wedding fair

2011-01-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

First wedding showcase is a right royal affair

It has taken almost four decades but this year's royal marriage has persuaded Ballathie to stage its first wedding fair.

The luxury baronial mansion on the banks of the River Tay at Kinclaven, which marks its 40th anniversary as a hotel in 2012 and is a popular wedding venue, is joining the national celebrations for Prince William's nuptials with the fair on Sunday 6th March.

Manager Arnaud Merrouche commented "Although Ballathie has long enjoyed a reputation as a top class venue for wedding receptions, and latterly also ceremonies, we've never held a wedding fair. However, as soon as we heard of the Prince's engagement we decided to pay our own special tribute to romance." William will marry Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey on 29 April.

"We're planning this to be the icing on the cake for Ballathie after our repeated wins in the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards, " Arnaud added.

Entry is free, with guided tours of the hotel and a prize draw to win dinner for two at Ballathie which was voted Scotland's top rural restaurant of 2010 and has previously been named best country house and country sports hotel.

The event, to take place in a marquee in the grounds, has attracted a wide range of exhibitors including specialists in bridal fashion, flowers, photography, wedding cars, cakes, jewellery and accessories, marquee hire, beauty care and entertainment.

Brides and grooms-to-be who book their wedding at Ballathie on the day will receive a 10% discount on hotel hire (April to October only).

The hotel is also taking part in its first external wedding fair at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 12 and 13 February, an event expected to be attended by more than 6,000 visitors.

For more information on our wedding fair and to see a list of exhibitors, visit our website.

2011-01-15T03:09:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Fishing Season opened on the River Tay this morning and guests gathered outside the hotel to walk down to the River for the Opening Ceremony led by Piper Alfie Henderson.

Ghillies George and Garry prepare the Whisky drams for the guests to toast the start of the new fishing season.

The season is opened by a dram of Whisky being poured over the boat.

Guests gathered at the River bank with drams in hand to keep them warm!

Ghillie's George and Gary with Piper Alfie Henderson.

Tight lines to all of our fishermen - wishing you all a successful season with lots of fish!

If you would like to try some Salmon Fishing on the River Tay, see our website for details of our special Salmon Fishing Package.

Winter Wedding Promotion

2010-08-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for a Wedding Venue this Winter? Ballathie is the perfect venue for a wedding at any time of year but particularly in the Winter. The grounds and it's evergreen trees provide the perfect backdrop for your photographs whilst the roaring log fires offer a very welcoming ambience, as well as keeping you and your wedding guests warm! Ballathie also has one of the finest award winning restaurants in Scotland, awarded 2 Rosettes by the AA and voted Scotland's Rural Restaurant of the Year at the 2010 Hotel of the Year Awards.

From 1st November 2010 until 31st March 2011 we are offering Exclusive Use of the Hotel from only £2700.00 with a 3 course menu from £35.00 per person. Check our website for further details of our Special Winter Wedding Promotion or call/email the hotel for your copy of our full colour Wedding Brochure.

Late Fishing Availability on the River Tay

2010-07-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Scottish Highlands and Perthshire offer some of the finest salmon fishing and scenery in Scotland. Tay salmon fishing is renowned the world over and Ballathie's riverside location is ideal for a fishing holiday.

Due to a cancellation, we have some late availability in the height of the Salmon Fishing Season for the Week Commencing Monday 9th August 2010. The cost of fishing is £160.00 per rod, per day. To book, telephone Gail on 01250 883268 or book online at www.fishtay.co.uk.

Accommodation is also available in the Sportsman's Lodge from as little as £55.00 per person, per night or in the Main Hotel/Riverside Building from £105.00 per person, per night. For more information on or to book online, please see further information on fishing breaks in perthshire.

Wedding of Wendy & Graeme 05.07.10

2010-07-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

Below is a very kind thank you letter from Wendy & Graeme who held their wedding here at Ballathie House Hotel on 5th July 2010, a big thank you to the happy couple for allowing us to use this:

I would have liked to compose this email earlier but is has been hectic and we managed a few days away last weekend. Please pass our comments on to the staff mentioned and the managing director/owner.

Well where do i start!

Graeme and I (and our families) were absolutely delighted with our wedding day. All thanks and credit to you Gail for supporting, advising and co-ordinating everything for us in the lead up to the Wedding and on the day. Nothing was too much bother and we appreciated all your efforts, especially when plans were changed and of course no one knew what the weather was going to do on the day. Your calmness and "no problem" attitude were a great help especially when we chose to have our ceremony outside (or on the staircase) - something the hotel hadn't done before. The ceremony was perfect - just as we wanted it - thanks for making it all possible.

Ballathie was the perfect venue for us - Graeme loved it from the moment he saw it - and as I had attended a wedding before I knew the high standards that the hotel offer. Of course having my dog Holly there was essential for us and we certainly welcomed the dog friendly policy!

Please pass on thanks to all the staff - everyone deserves a mention - even those who weren't perhaps visible on the day - everyone's hard work makes a good team. However - there are a few people who we would like to single out.

The chef - Wow - produced a wonderful meal on the Sunday prior to our Wedding - thank you.

The Wedding Meal - was loved by all - everything was perfect. The food was exceptional. Thanks again to the chef also to all the hardworking staff in the kitchen and all the waiters/waitresses. They were so efficient you hardly knew they were there.
The cooked breakfast the next day was first class!

A special mention to David for being master of ceremonies and keeping everything flowing. He was very tactful and calm when we had run over time. He also saved the day with our first dance when he offered to download our chosen track and play it on ipod.

Housekeeping do a marvellous job - all the rooms were immaculate - Room 10 was beautiful - Graeme and I will definitely return again. I'm sure many of our guests and family will too. Many guests have passed on lots of positive comments about Ballathie.

I was delighted with how smoothly everything went. We were blessed with the weather and I was surprisingly calm and relaxed the whole day through. Thanks to the team for making everything perfect.

Thanks to Sharon also for assisting with reception duties and being "keeper of the keys". She was friendly to all guests and we enjoyed chatting to her.

Bar staff also deserve a personal message - especially from the hard core guests who stayed up late on the Wedding night!

It was great that we had the chance to meet the owner of the hotel - he showed an interest in our wedding and wished us well.

Thanks also to Arnaud who assisted in the run up to the Wedding. He has a lovely calm manner with guests and we wish him well in his new position at the hotel.

I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone - and all that's left to say to everyone is A BIG THANK YOU - we loved Ballathie!

Thanks again Gail

Best wishes

Wendy and Graeme

2010-07-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

Some of the finest classic cars in the world added more touches of glamour, luxury and verve to Ballathie House when their owners stayed with us in June 2010 after a successful visit in 2009.

Each year Scotland's most famous motor racing team, Ecurie Ecosse, organises a private tour for 25 friends whose cars have a total value of around £6 million. In 2009 they chose Ballathie and enjoyed it so much that this year they spent another four nights here, touring Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Fife each day. One of the most valuable models was a Ferrari 275GTB4, owned by Sir Paul Vestey, which competed in the famous Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1966. Vestey's co-driver was David Edwards, former organiser of the Classic Adelaide international rally, who flew in from Australia for the event. Another Australian taking part was Scott Shearmann with a classic Mercedes Benz 300SL which he transported by ship. Hugh McCaig, Patron, reformed the Ecurie Ecosse team in 1982 and under his patronage the team were World Champions in the Group C2 Championship in 1986. The team also won the Le Mans Races in 1956 and 1957 with its Jaguars. "Our guests had such a great time driving on local roads last year that we felt we had to come back," he commented.

New to this!

2010-07-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon from a slighty overcast and windy Perthshire. We are new to Blogger but hope to bring you regular updates of things happening in and around Ballathie and the surrounding area.