As we sit watching a pair of eagles flying overhead, it doesn’t matter that it’s raining because we have just had two of the most relaxing days in a long while, thanks to The Glen Clova hotel.
After spending the weekend in Edinburgh, it was time to get away from it all and enjoy the wild landscapes Scotland has long been known for, and you can’t get much further away from city life than the Cairngorms National Park.
Tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms National Park is a breathtaking natural haven that offers adventure and serenity in equal measure. Stretching across five counties and home to the UK’s highest and most dramatic mountain range, this park is a year-round destination brimming with diverse wildlife, ancient forests, and charming villages.
Whether you’re hiking snow-dusted trails in winter, watching golden eagles soar above Glen Clova in spring, or cycling through heather-clad hills in the autumn, the Cairngorms promise something for every kind of traveller, plus the ever-changing landscape ensures no two visits are the same.
One corner of the Cairngorms National Park that is often overlooked is Glen Clova. This glacial valley is the perfect spot for anyone really wanting to get away because even though it is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Kirriemuir, it feels like a world away from civilisation.
The Glen Clova Hotel and Luxury Lodges
For anyone wishing to stay in this area, perhaps to hike Corrie Fee in search of pine martens, Loch Brandy, or even Ben Tirran, look no further than the Glen Clova Hotel. This pet-and-family friendly hotel offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms to lodges with hot tubs. However, for me, the warm welcome you receive upon check-in makes this hotel stand out from all the others, and will make you want to return time and again.
When we arrived, I took the detoured route past the snug bar area, along the hallways, dawdling at the book-swap library, before finding reception. This obviously wasn’t intentional, but it seems that I am drawn to books, and therefore, the check-in process did take a bit longer.
As soon as I reached the reception, however, the team were there waiting to welcome us with the biggest smiles and warmest personalities I think I have ever come across in the UK, they were even on hand to help open doors while we walked our over-indulge amount of luggage through and up the stairs.
Once inside the room, two things struck me – firstly, the place was huge! I mean, even if they had set it up for a family of four with extra beds, there was still enough room to walk around; it was that big. Secondly, even though we knew the hotel had been refurbished, they have lovingly retained the old-worldly character and charm, something far too many places are quick to get rid of nowadays. From the wonky floorboards to the sash windows, the furnishings to the delightful window seat, everything had been considered; nothing left to chance.
Wandering into the bathroom was no different. The shower was perhaps the largest I have seen in any hotel room, while the toilet and basin again retained a classic charm, with no plastic loo seat in sight.
However, it was the bothy and restaurant downstairs that really drew our attention. Walking through the doors, you could have been in any ski chalet, and I almost wished it had been cold enough to put the wood-burning stove on, if only to add to the atmosphere.
The walls were a mixture of oak wood and stone, while the furniture appeared to be hand-carved from what appeared to be reclaimed wood, making each piece quirky and unique. The food is hearty and plentiful: soups, fresh fish, homemade pies, and locally-sourced meats.
Out and About: Around Glen Clova
When we first looked at this hotel, I was drawn to it for two reasons. Firstly, after a trip to Edinburgh, a few days hiking and exploring the Cairngorms was precisely what we needed. It’s an area of Scotland we had yet to explore, and felt like this could be the perfect opportunity to at least get a taste of what the area had to offer. Secondly, Glen Glova is just 15 miles from Kirriemuir, the birthplace of J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan.
Thanks to the single-track roads, Kirriemuir is around 30 minutes from the hotel, but for any literary fan, it is worth the trip. Here you can revisit J.M. Barrie’s childhood, visiting the whitewashed weaver’s house where he once lived. Inside you will find costumes from the very first performance of Peter Pan as well as the very writing desk that J.M. Barrie sat at to write the well-known children’s classic, while outside the local community has created a Tick-Tock garden with a life-size driftwood replica of the famous croc. Further along the road, you can also visit his final resting place at Kirriemuir cemetery, where he was buried next to his parents.
The house where J.M. Barrie grew up
While for those that would prefer to spend time back in nature, Corrie Fee is a National Nature Reserve carved out of the landscape by a large glacier during the Ice Age, and is home to an abundance of wildlife and rare plants. During our visit, we were also told to look out for pine martens that have been known to explore the rocky pathways around the waterfall. Or, if you are looking for something slightly more challenging, you could hike either Driesh, which is a Munro sitting at 947m or summit The Goet on Ben Tirran, which at 896m is just shy of the Munro threshold, but is still an incredible mountain to climb and one of the best known Corbetts in the area.
Of course, if you just fancy a day relaxing, there are plenty of spots with incredible views where you could sit and take in your surroundings, perhaps with a good book for company. For those with either a Glen or a Clova lodge, why not take an afternoon to enjoy the hot tub while looking out over the nearby countryside?
Whether or not you consider yourself an outdoorsy type, the Glen Clova Hotel has something for everyone, and it is in an idyllic location when visiting the Cairngorms.
Have you visited Glen Clova? Perhaps you have spent time in the Cairngorms and have some other recommendations for us.
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We would like to thank all members of the team at Glen Clova Hotel along with the Posh Agency who helped to arrange a complimentary stay during our time in the Cairngorms. As always, all views and opinions are our own and we would never recommend anywhere we would not be prepared to return to as paying guests.
