Cranshaws Castle, luxurious Scottish getaway, a place in the country to write, to love, to dream. Perfect retreat to remember the simple but beautiful things in life, fresh air, good food, conversation and friends.
Tucked away far from preying eyes is a place in my humble opinion to stop, unwind and most likely pretty much do nothing. Certainly that is quite a statement as for some that is a challenge, no Gameboy, Twitter, Pokémon, or any number of social media crazes that keep us away from the pure and most important things in life which is human company, breathing, food, sleep and fresh air. These are in fact from a scientific perspective some of the key ingredients to sustain living existence and yet in the world we live in they are under threat.
Even I, I know! I hear you cry “the elder statesman of society” that is Gentlemans Butler, yes even I suffer from interrupted sleep, noise, particularly in the summer from those lovely people coming into Heathrow and all the other joys that a big city gives. Don’t get me wrong I adore London but I can literally feel the stress start leaving my body, like in some version of Aliens 8 when I get to go away to peace and tranquillity.
A short hop from the centre of civilisation which is of course Putney on the world’s finest urban transit system which is of course The London Underground to Kings Cross and then a very pleasant journey courtesy of Mr Branson’s Virgin Railways up a little north of my old university city of Newcastle to Berwick Upon Tweed where we are met by 2 Range Rovers to drive us just over the border into Scotland.
Cranshaws Castle – an exclusive use castle in the Scottish Borders www.cranshawscastle.co.uk
Though called a castle it’s really in layout more like a tower as everything is based around a central stone staircase.
Dating back to 1350, Cranshaws is an exceptional private castle set amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Lammermuir Hills in the north Berwickshire countryside.
Originally part of the Earldom of Dunbar and March, this Grade A listed tower was immaculately restored by the present owners to create an incredibly charismatic residence rich in period features, fine architectural detailing and stunning interior.
As soon as I set my eyes on my bedroom it reminded of my mother and my childhood growing up in the countryside. Full of love and antique furniture with definitely an air of Jane Eyre about it.
Despite its heritage and grand proportions, Cranshaws Castle is both intimate and warm, and benefits from all the modern comforts of a luxurious country retreat. Very important to me and luxury relaxation.
Upstairs Downstairs, “that will show your age” maybe one thing as long as you are not lighting stoves at 5 in the morning, so old fashioned charms do need to be combined in my opinion with modern luxuries.
Available only for exclusive use, Cranshaws Castle sleeps up to eight guests and offers a variety of catering options as well as amenities and services, allowing guests to tailor-make their stay according to their needs, and with as much or little assistance as required.
Activities available include walking, cycling, shooting, fishing, sailing, cooking lessons, national trust houses, etc.
We headed out with a dog, no not a prop, yes a real dog for a country walk in the fields, making sure we did not disturb the cows,
past the flowing barley fields which reminded me of some of the opening shots to the film Gladiator.
We were treated to a cooking lesson, though the heathen that I am is more of an eater than a cooker, had a wonderful trip to their hunting lodge where convivial conversation about three men and their dog was had with lunch having been already prepared and waiting along with the relevant bubbly, oh yes…
Butler service was on hand in the evening
with pre drinks by the fire,
my favourite space and some beautiful drives through the countryside and to the lake where you can sail and canoe.
If you were planning a Christmas gathering or a family birthday it would be a perfect place.
For me my mind was taken to a rather lateral thought. As a filmmaker it would make a perfect place to work on a film script. Enough space for a writer, producer and 2 assistants to really focus on the job in hand and allow the mind to really breath. I say film but in essence any creative process than needs beauty, peace and solitude but with assistance on hand.
Beds are changed and the place is cleaned and personally I would choose to have a chef prepare a cooked breakfast, have a lunch prepared along with tea and then return to cook dinner.
Really really loved it. I was greeted with a warm smile, loved the décor and it is remote enough to feel one can just stop.
Perfect.
