The Fife Arms
/ About
The Fife Arms first advertised itself as a first-class hotel in 1856, and Queen Victoria changed horses here on the road to Balmoral. Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the couple behind Hauser & Wirth, bought it in 2014 and reopened it in December 2018 after a four-year restoration. It holds Two MICHELIN Keys, and the building is hung with a collection that runs from a Picasso on a tartan wall to Richard Jackson's red deer chandelier over the reception stair.
The hotel is let whole all year. On an exclusive hire The Clunie Dining Room, painted end to end by Guillermo Kuitca, seats 100 for a banquet, and the Drawing Room under Zhang Enli's painted ceiling takes the drinks reception beforehand. The Fog House seats 40 on two long tables beneath an antler chandelier, and the Fire Room, a cruck-built room around Subodh Gupta's floating chandelier, seats 12 by the fire.
Beyond the dining rooms the house has Elsa's, a small Art Deco cocktail bar named for Elsa Schiaparelli; Bertie's, a whisky library of more than 500 bottles; a cellar of over 400 wines; and The Flying Stag, the village pub with James Prosek's winged stag above the bar. Jinny Blom designed the garden along the River Clunie. There are 47 bedrooms and suites, so a party can stay the weekend.
/ Rooms Available
Exclusive Use of The Fife Arms
Exclusive HireThe whole hotel, available throughout the year: all 47 bedrooms and suites, The Clunie Dining Room, the Drawing Room, the Fog House, the Fire Room, the bars and the garden. The house quotes up to 100 guests for a banquet dinner in The Clunie Dining Room, and the Drawing Room opens at night for the drinks reception.
The Clunie Dining Room
Exclusive HireThe main restaurant, named for the river that runs past the hotel, with wood-fire cooking and a wall-to-wall mural painted in residence by Guillermo Kuitca. It seats up to 100 for a banquet when the hotel is hired exclusively.
The Fog House
PrivateA light room off the internal courtyard under a large antler chandelier, with a fireplace at one end. It seats 40 on two long tables or 20 on one, and a full-height tweed curtain closes it off from the passage to the courtyard, spa and garden.
The Brae Room
PrivateA 48 square metre room with a screen and projector, for screenings, presentations and talks. It seats 16 boardroom style or 25 theatre style, and can be cleared of furniture.
The Fire Room
PrivateOne of two private dining rooms, built with a traditional cruck frame after a Highland croft, with a floating chandelier commissioned from Subodh Gupta. It seats 12 beside a large fireplace and hosts wedding ceremonies for up to 14.
The Drawing Room
Exclusive HireWalls in the hotel's own tartan, Scottish art and antiques, and a ceiling painted by Zhang Enli after cross sections of Scottish agate. It serves afternoon tea by day and, on an exclusive hire, a drinks reception at night. No capacity is published.
Elsa's
Semi PrivateA small Art Deco cocktail bar named for Elsa Schiaparelli, who first came to Braemar through her friend Frances Farquharson. Champagne and cocktails with Scottish spirits. The hotel takes private visits by telephone; no capacity is published.
Bertie's Whisky Bar
Semi PrivateA whisky library named for Edward VII, with more than 500 whiskies shelved by flavour and no bar counter. The lighting turns red later in the evening. No capacity is published.
The Flying Stag
Semi PrivateThe village pub inside the hotel, under James Prosek's winged stag, with local beers, whisky and live folk music on Wednesday and Friday nights. No capacity is published.
The Cellar
PrivateA cellar of more than 400 wines where the sommeliers hold tastings. No capacity is published.
The Garden
Semi PrivateDesigned by Jinny Blom with native birch, rowan and a wildflower meadow along the River Clunie. The hotel uses it for pre-dinner drinks and outdoor gatherings. No capacity is published.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Projector
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Sommelier Service
- – Cocktail Programme
Licensing
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Wheelchair Accessible
- – Valet Parking
/ Getting Here
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