Mystic, moody and atmospheric. The light played its usual game of hide and seek, shimmering on the surface, hiding behind greenery, shadowing a sea plane at the end of the jetty, lacing the trails of passing boats. A spectacle of blue drenching all around in that feeling of wellbeing. I watched from the sumptuous surroundings of Cameron House Hotel, absorbed by such spellbinding views of the Loch from the delightful alcove of the turreted feature of my suite. This was my visual tonic with a tempting miniature bottle of Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky gifted on the side table.
The Spa
But that wasn’t all that helped to induce wellbeing. There was Cameron House Hotel’s award-wining Spa, a 10-minute drive away, contained within The Cameron Club (formerly the Carrick Estate) with its two golf courses (9 and 18 holes). Here I enjoyed a “Hide With Me” treatment which awarded me 60 minutes of me-time. Bliss. I chose orange blossom, geranium and rose petals for my massage oil and lavender and essential oils as my tonic. The Spa believes individual aroma preferences are at the heart of ultimate relaxation. It worked. The treatment included a back, neck and shoulder massage with a personalised express facial (thankfully, not so express) with special attention to eyes and lips, areas often neglected, and finished with a short scalp treatment and head massage. The spa uses ESPA and Made of Life Organics products.
The thermal facilities were well laid out with a choice of experiences; a hydrotherapy pool, a small rooftop infinity pool, steam room, ice bath, aromatherapy room and a café. The infrared sauna was situated next to a windowed sauna with ducks waddled outside on the golf course posing a good distraction from the heat inside. The treatment room area was soothing, shimmering with serenity with the soft twinkle of candles leading to spacious areas to relax.
History of Cameron House
This luxury property opened as a hotel in 1990 with a fascinating history dating back to the 15th century. In 1823, under the ownership of the Smolletts, a local family of shipbuilders and artists finalised plans for extensive renovations which transformed the home into a grand baronial mansion known as Cameron House Hotel. Over two centuries, the resort has been remodelled and visited by literary greats and political stalwarts including Empress Eugenie and Sir Winston Churchill in the 1900s. In the ’70s it was a popular tourist attraction and bear park where wild animals such as bison and black, brown and Himalayan bears formed part of the scenery.
Inside the Hotel
There is a total of 298 rooms which range from one-bedroom suites, family rooms, loch view and garden terrace rooms.The bedrooms are designed in a deep and dark colour scheme, dressed in Scottish textiles in honour of its location and accentuating the traditional, baronial architectural details. Inviting, peaceful and unique. The 14 suites include the indulgence of a complimentary mini bar and a Nespresso machine for that caffeine intake. It sits proudly at the edge of the Loch flaunting its distinguishing peaked gables and decorative turrets. Inside this mansion is the Leisure Centre which includes an 18m swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and bubble pool. The impressive fitness facility features the latest Technogym. For entertainment is a premium cinema, the Wee Shop (not so wee!) and a lounge area. The corridors are lined with photographs of previous guests, from Barack Obama, Clint Eastwood to Gary Barlow and furnishings that nod to its heritage. As for sampling those Scottish wee drams and chef’s Scottish delights, there are several bars and restaurants.
Dine and Drink, Scottish Style
One of the most traditional dishes in Scotland is haggis, neeps and tatties, (turnips and potatoes). Haggis was served as part of the Scottish breakfast at Cameron House with black pudding as well as Scottish porridge and of course more healthier options and creative smoothies (mixed berry and green). This first meal of the day was appetizingly laid out in The Cameron Grill with courteous staff fashioning their Cameron clan tartan dress. This was also the venue for dinner where the menu described dishes as modern fusion with a focus on grilled food. I indulged in pan-seared Orkney Scallops with a Rhubarb Chutney and Scurvy Grass Oil, followed by Guinea Fowl with a brandy green peppercorn sauce and to finish, a Cameron Pink Lady Apple Tarte Tatin. Delicious.
To toast the occasion, the expansive Scot’s Bar overflowed onto a terrace to admire the views while along the walls, bottles of whiskey formed part of the wallpaper. There was also the Tavern for a more informal experience with sports on screen, quizzes and live music on certain evenings.
A gentle stroll away was the Marina and the Vista Italian Restaurant with tempting plates of over-sized pizzas, fresh pasta dishes and sweet endings of Tiramisu and Affogato (gelato with hot double expresso). If you wanted to join the afternoon guests and visitors in the lounge area of the hotel, the Lobby Bar served traditional afternoon tea. While at the Club House, an informal menu was available as the screens beamed in golf tournaments and football matches while you dined.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is the largest inland stretch of water in Britain and one of the most popular destinations in Scotland. The Loch, which famously features in the song ‘The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond’, extends north for around 24 miles from Balloch, popularly known as an access point to the Highlands. The Loch is home to over 30 small islands, including Inchmurrin, Britain’s largest fresh-water island, and Inchcailloch, which may not be the largest, but it is the most accessible. Loch Lomond crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland. In total, there are 33,000 lochs in Scotland and one lake.
Celtic Warrior
One of the highlights of my visit was the trip on Loch Lomond aboard the hotel’s boat, the Celtic Warrior which carries up to 10 guests. This hour’s voyage explored the Loch with views of Ben Lomond, the first of the southerly mountains. Skipper Collette and assistant Joanne provided a running commentary of this gateway to the Highlands, and were well-versed in the history of the Highland boundary fault line which we passed over. It was fascinating to imagine these lands once joined with North America before the glaciers divided us with great stretches of water. The cruise runs 4 one-hour trips daily (£55p adult or £35 for children).
A stay at Cameron House Hotel offered more than the light show and gentle ripples of Loch Lomond which waltzed gracefully in front of my window. From the hotel’s architecture and warm hospitality stunning vistas and a soothing spa, I left drenched in blue wellness.
Location
Cameron House is a good base to visit the Trossachs area, known as Scotland in miniature where its mountains and lochs were Rob Roy McGregor’s (Scotland’s most notorious outlaw) hunting ground. The estate sits amidst a national park and proudly within 108 acres of land. There are bicycles for hire or a woodland walk to Lomond Shores and to Balloch.
In contrast to the tranquillity of Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond, Glasgow is a 45-minute drive away, a place voted as the European City of Culture in 1990, and famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture This cultural hub is home to The Burrell Collection, Charles Rennie Macintosh House, The Clydeside Distillery and institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland.
