I will be the first to admit that I wasn’t fully prepared for Cromlix. I thought I would be stepping into a traditional Scottish hotel and, in many ways, of course I was… but what really stands this magical place apart, is the interior – the layers and textures and art everywhere you look.
Kim Murray said she wanted Cromlix to feel like home – a home where everything is taken care of to an exceptionally high standard but, equally, a home where ‘if you forgot your toothbrush, you could comfortably nip downstairs in your socks to ask for a replacement’. It’s hard to describe that feeling you get here but this sums it up rather nicely.
The hotel itself is not huge, which I liked, and I was lucky enough to spend the night here and enjoy everything it had to offer – from the interior design to the exquisite food to the tennis.
Come take a look round with me…
shirt – Balzac
belt – Sézane
skirt – H&M
Galway boots – Dubarry
THE HOTEL
From the boot room stocked with wellingtons and wax jackets to loan, to the kitchen garden supplying much of the veg you will find on your plate to the vases strewn around the hotel all filled with homegrown, seasonal blooms to the truly free range chickens and the giant lawn games, Cromlix definitely feels like a wholesome, Scottish experience.
With her grand driveway and entrance to the hotel and all these small, considered details, the hotel both takes your breath away and lets you breath out deeply as you sink in to your surroundings.
THE DINING
Following a wonderful afternoon tea, we took a gentle stroll around the grounds (our eyes firmly on that tennis court – who can resist a game on court at Andy Murray’s hotel? Not us), before heading back to our suite just as the sun set to get ready for dinner.
The food here is an absolute delight with a focus on simple, delicious, locally sourced dining. The staff were so welcoming and attentive and the chef was very accommodating of allergies. We enjoyed a slow dinner in the Glasshouse which was gorgeous but are already looking forward to seeing what 2026 will bring with the addition of a new dining room.
We retired to the billiards room with its dark florals and rich layers for a post dinner catch up, spot of snooker and a handful of sweets from the help yourself jars.
blouse – H&M
trousers – Sézane
THE ROOMS
Our Dahlia suite was a TREAT. A home from home complete with living room and breakfasting table plus the most generous of bathrooms and even a separate WC. I urge you to spend a moment really taking in the level of detail here with the pattern layering, the lighting, the hardware, the vintage finds, the paint colours… we talk about these spaces well into the night (I stayed with my gorgeous cousin, not my husband – he would have been fast asleep no sooner than he would have devoured his turndown sugary tablet treat and his head hit the gloriously plump pillow), dissecting what it was that pulled them all together and searching for the exact lampshades online.
It would be remiss not to mention the specially developed ‘Cromlix’ scent which flows from the diffuser in reception right up to the lotions and potions in the guest bathrooms – how luxurious.
THE INTERIORS
The work of Suzanne of Garuda Design, every room in this hotel is a work of art quite honestly. Suzanne told us that almost all the furniture was original but reupholstered and the smorgasbord of textures and patterns that layer in the spaces is just so clever. What was it that stopped this all from being… too much? It was a keen eye pulling colour accents together, it was a feeling of homeliness, it was a journey through history to the here and now… and it was the art.
Featuring works from their own personal collection as well as a wealth of pieces on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy, the art here is ever changing, modern, exciting and such an incredible juxtaposition to the decor. We found ourselves descending the grand old stairs flanked by Damien Hirst’s cherry blossoms and sinking into the velvet sofa under the watchful eye of a David Shrigley goldfish. The art here really is a masterclass in blending old with new and the art graduate in me was in awe – an infinitely more gorgeous way to enjoy modern art than in a museum.
With some major upgrades in the plans for the first quarter of 2026, including the new restaurant, a handful more guest rooms as well as a dedicated wellness and treatment space, she is set to get even better. Truly, she feels like a find – the kind of place you sort of thought might just rely on her owners’ celebrity but turns out to be an absolute treat in all senses – the inspiring interiors, the most gorgeous Scottish focussed food, the quietly attentive service, the mind-blowing art collection… if you get the chance to visit, even for a set lunch, take a moment to immerse yourself in this place – it really is very special.
Like being wrapped in a big, Scottish, cashmere blanket – maybe wholesome luxury is the best way I can describe Cromlix.
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jacket & scarf – Sézane
leggings – Sweaty Betty
Galway boots – Dubarry
bag – Strathberry
