Achnagairn House promotes itself as providing an opportunity to escape the ordinary, which it does in some style, nestled in the Inverness-shire countryside.
Owners Gillian and Mike have worked hard to develop the house into a five-star venue, which is hired in its entirety by individual groups.
Their purpose may be a wedding or other special occasion, as well as corporate and conference events, but more than a warm welcome awaits.
The house consists of 24 luxury bedrooms and a grandiose ballroom, which was built by the owner of the time for his daughter’s 21st birthday, in 1912.
That celebration was a legacy which has delighted visitors to the mansion to this day.
Around 50 major events are held there every year, with the ballroom invariably the focal point for each occasion, including BBC Alba’s 2012 Hogmanay celebrations.
Before and after the event, guests can relax in the lap of luxury in one of several lounges and drawing rooms or enjoy a walk in the grounds, which provide spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Each bedroom is individually designed, with no repetition of any aspects down to the tiniest details.
My room had a nautical theme, with model yachts and similar items installed at the suggestion of Gillian and Mike’s 12-year-old son.
One of its distinctive features is a hidden safe, although I must not reveal how I found it – that would spoil the fun for any potential guests reading this.
Other neighbouring rooms contain baths of various designs, including a his-and-hers for the romantics among us.
Among the more awe-inspiring features encountered on a guided tour of the facilities is a room dominated by a giant round bed, flanked by two sofas.
Four-poster beds and classical furniture can be found in abundance – and the family groups are also well catered for, with suitably equipped rooms.
For the younger guests, there is a cinema, a perfect place to get away from the formalities and enjoy their own company.
Larger groups of family and friends can now enjoy the latest addition to Achnagairn’s facilities – eight five-bedroom lodges in the grounds of the main building.
More than £3million had been spent on them by their previous owner, but the economic downturn in 2008 resulted in the developer going into administration.
Gillian said: “We are thrilled to add these new properties to our portfolio and they have tripled our capacity from 24 bedrooms to more than 70.
“There are many historical venues with no bedrooms, as well as others with plenty of rooms but no grandeur.
“What we are able to do now at Achnagairn House is offer both – a true sense of history and accommodation for up to 150 people.
“It is wonderful how the house has made its mark in each century, from its construction in 1812.
“The stunning ballroom was added in 1912 and now, 101 years later, we are adding these beautiful lodges.
“Not only is this exciting for us as a hospitality business, but we feel very proud to be able to re-integrate a core part of this historic estate.”
History exudes everywhere you go at Achnagairn, which means “field of cairns”, as there has been a house there for the past 400 years.
The present house has had various illustrious owners, including Thomas Ogden, owner of a tobacco company.
During World War II, it served as a military hospital, after which it changed hands frequently, deteriorating gradually.
Unfortunately, this decline culminated in the house being placed on the At Risk Register of important properties whose survival was under threat.
The current owners, Gillian and Michael Lacey-Solymar, have lovingly restored the house to its former glory.
It now enjoys an excellent reputation as a wedding venue and was awarded the Highland Wedding Venue of the Year in April this year.
Now, having acquired the lodges and brought them up to five-star standard, an additional 45 bedrooms and a new restaurant enhances the visitor’s experience.
Using the same mantra as the bedrooms in the main house, each of the 45 new rooms will be individually designed and given its own name.
Michael said: “To bring the lodges up to the quality of the main house required considerable investment.
“By the time the development is complete, the estate will have had more than £7milllion spent on it, making it one of the most significant new entrants to the hospitality sector in the Highlands.”
Their emergence into the area’s luxury accommodation market has been met with approval by the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Marc Crothall, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “It is fantastic news that these luxury properties, which are located in such a stunning area, have been brought to life.
“With regards to investment into the Highland tourist industry, it is a great step forward.”
There are many attractions in the area, all within an hour’s drive, including Loch Ness, where guests can explore the visitor centre or go for a sail.
Also recommended is a visit to the Caledonian Canal, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle and Eden Court, Inverness, as well as an extensive choice of golf courses, museums and art galleries.
The area has so much to offer while you are enjoying your escape from the ordinary – an all-round experience not to be missed.
E-mail: enquiries@perfect-manors.com
Telephone: 0845 057 4212
Addresses: Achnagairn House, Kirkhill, Inverness, Inverness-shire IV5 7PD.
Cortes House, Lonmay, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire AB43 8UU.
Gillian and Michael Lacey-Solymar set up Perfect Manors in 2007.
Achnagairn House opened as a wedding and conference venue in 2008 and was awarded a five-star rating in 2012 from VisitScotland.
Cortes House, near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, sleeps 24 people in the main house and in the lower ground floor are a further two triple bedrooms plus a kitchen/sitting room, which are available separately, allowing up to 30 people to sleep in the house. The house is set within five acres of lawns and woodland.
Perfect Sunshine, the company’s five-star villa in Antigua, combines the best in European design with a breathtaking Caribbean location. It allows you to indulge yourself in luxury, from the enormous four-poster bed in the master bedroom to the 50ft infinity pool; from the sculptures in the rooms to the hi-tech appliances; from the 600-thread sheets on the beds to the 20ft height of the airy reception areas.