Escape to East Lothian

Getting out of town for a luxurious and peaceful Scottish break doesn’t necessarily involve a long journey.  

Just a short trip from Edinburgh, award-winning Gilmerton House, in East Lothian, could be the perfect place to relax and recharge.

The house, which was built in the 1600s, has been in the Kinloch family for 13 generations. It sits on six landscaped acres, featuring a croquet lawn and a sunken botanic garden with rare, centuries-old trees and rose beds.   

Inside, the house has a huge wood-panelled library lined with ancestral portraits.  The interiors were redone recently, featuring light colours, rich Scottish fabrics and antiques.  The old laundry, which dates back to around 1804, has been converted into a space for events, from yoga classes to parties. 

Gilmerton House extended its capacity recently, following the completion of The Gardeners Cottage, a beautifully renovated two-bedroom, self-catered wing of the house. It now sleeps 24, across 12 bedrooms.

Guests come to Gilmerton House for business or pleasure, in the form of private stays, corporate events, weddings or for golf – there’s a private driving range on the front lawn of the house, and some of the world’s finest courses are nearby or just across the Firth of Forth. 

It’s also a stylish venue for product launches: David Beckham launched his Haig whisky here.

As well as golf, there are plenty of other activities available, with clay-pigeon shooting, falconry, whisky tastings and woodland walks on offer. North Berwick’s beaches are nearby too, for a stroll by the sea.

www.gilmertonhouse.com

Photography: Gilmerton House