Queen Victoria, Scotch, Wellies, Fife Arms, Robert Burns, Golf and Haggis?

Greetings from Braemar Scotland. My springtime Scotland sortie yielded so many valuable meetings and property stays. Many of our clients followed me to the fabulous Fife Arms and the
five-star Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. Due to my timing, I was able to also visit the Royal Family Balmoral Castle and its beautiful gardens. Balmoral Castle has been the Scotland home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. Queen Elizabeth passed away peacefully here in September. Inspired by seeing Queen Victoria’s ‘A Stag Shot’, a pencil and watercolor drawing for John Brown at Fife Arms, I recently watched Dame Judy Dench in Mrs. Burns. A reminder of the ravishing Scottish countryside.

One of my absolute most delicious afternoons was spent with the owner of an exceptional touring firm in Braemar, where Fife Arms is located. A magnetic personality, owner of a Royal Deeside Premier Luxury firm; he has been a land steward in the area for decades. A well-known local character often to be found in bright yellow wellies with his two chocolate cocker spaniels – Rosie & Peggy – in tow. He is originally from Northumberland, just south of the Scottish Border. Having spent many happy summer childhood holidays stalking the Scottish hills with his parents, grandparents, and siblings he always knew he wanted to live here full time. For over 21 years he managed Invercauld estate (the large estate by Braemar, stretching from south of Glenshee to east of Ballater and north towards Strathdon) until his retirement.

He mentioned he could take our clients out in a modern Range Rover or his two passenger Morgan. I exclaimed, a Morgan?  I used to drive a Morgan! He stood up and said come with me, we are going to my house to see my Morgan! With a questioning glance to the Fife Arms ghillies, they smiled and said he is safe – go!

Our Fabulous Scottish Guide with his Morgan and his Yellow Wellies!

An Elder at Crathie Kirk, he can tell you many behind the scenes stories as well as showing you the grave of Queen Victoria’s favorite, John Brown, in the old kirk yard. He has unparalleled knowledge of the locality and its traditions, is a Braemar Local History Group guide and sits on the board of VisitAberdeenshire, the destination organization covering the north east of Scotland. A tour with him will leave you informed, entertained, well versed in local folklore while sharing the local hidden gems.

In the words of our favorite guide in Scotland “We can take you anywhere in Scotland. We have a stunningly beautiful country with so much diversity in the landscapes and culture, but Royal Deeside is our first and foremost love.”

If you want majestic hills and world class landscapes, royalty, a rich and sometimes bloody history, castles, a rushing river, highland cows – or even a unique visit to Crathie Kirk where the Royal family worship when they are here then he is the tour guide for you. Our clients have followed and raved!

Perhaps a picnic lunch at the late Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother’s picnic house with a roaring log burning fire and wide-open views across Balmoral Estate to the mighty Lochnagar – or maybe an eclectic café serving delicious lunches and coffee…? 

Our favorite host, a born raconteur, has lived and worked in the area for thirty years, is passionate about the local area and the local community. Several of our clients enjoyed hiking about the Royal grounds with him.

Balmoral Castle

Whatever your interests, whatever your tastes, be you young or old or somewhere in between, a morning, an afternoon, a day or more with this unique and knowledgeable guide will leave you entertained and with far more insight into the area than any guidebook can relate. His genuine interest in each of our clients has led to very successful days, he tailors each bespoke outing to the needs of each guest, whether they be slow strollers or zealous hikers.

There are so many extraordinary and varied areas of Scotland, which he can help you explore and make lifelong memories to take home with you.

Fife Arms enticements: BURNS NIGHT But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer, Gie
her a Haggis.  On Saturday 28th January 2023, enjoy an evening of poems, pipers,
and puddings as we commemorate the life of Scotland’s most beloved bard, poet
and lyricist, Robert Burns. Every year, Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland
to mark his unique contribution to Scottish culture and history. This year they
will be joined by Scotland’s Makar, Kathleen Jamie. There is no place more
atmospheric than the Fife Arms to mark this uniquely Scottish event.  

‘Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang ‘s my arm.’  

Address to a Haggis  Robert Burns

Robert Burns

KILTED OPEN. Discover one of Scotland’s most dramatic golf courses nestled in a remote valley of the Cairngorms National Park. A true community course, the Braemar Golf Club, provides a unique opportunity to play a round of golf overlooked by golden eagles, stags, and other rare wildlife. From the 12th – 14th May 2023, the Fife Arms is partnering with the club to host a tournament that celebrates the magic of Scotland and its most famous sporting export. The Kilted Open offers the chance for golfers of all levels to play as part of a 4-ball or create their own 4-ball in the Texas Scramble format. Each team has to create a name for themselves and there is a prize for the best name. The wearing of kilts by all players is strongly encouraged.  

Gather your Golf Tribe for the Kilted Open!

BRAEMAR LITERARY FESTIVAL. Following the incredible success of the inaugural Braemar Literary Festival in October, we are delighted to confirm that the Festival is returning in 2023. Join us on 29th September – 1st October, for a weekend exploring the creative use of words and
text in their broadest sense, celebrating the works of bestselling authors alongside visual artists, spoken word performers, singer-songwriters, and publishers alike. 

Queen Victoria A Stag Shot

What could be better Fife Arms and our Glorious Yellow Wellie wearing Guide? Where do you want to visit in Scotland, we can create unforgettable adventure’s everywhere.

Tequila and Treehouses One & Only Mandarina

One & Only Mandarina, we love O&O Resorts, it took me too long to visit the newest Mandarina, in a wild jungle set between the Sierra del Vallejo wooded mountains and the Pacific Ocean, near Punta Mita, Mexico.  The property is located on a gorgeous stretch of coastline in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit area.

Carao, adult pool

Mandarina is a cliff-side resort set in 88 acres of coastal rainforest, there is no bad view. Two beaches, one of which is swimmable all year round, in a protected jetty.  The resort is hidden amid massive primeval palms and the largest tree ferns I’ve ever seen. From my tree house deck, I honestly thought some of the palm fronds had been wired to the treehouse base, they are gargantuan!  The resort in the rainforest is almost invisible from the coastline.

Tree houses and villas are casual yet luxurious, the low-impact buildings have a graceful, contemporary design that utilizes impressive modern architecture and an understated Mexican style. Dark local Cumaru wood, like teak, is used on ceilings and slatted windows, alongside plaster earthen walls and polished concrete floors. Accented with modern comfortable furniture, the artwork and décor are all sourced from local Mexican designers, there is truly an authentic sense of place. The villas are wide open and expansive, some have many stairs to access rooms; the tree houses are all flat and you won’t need to navigate any stairs.

The resort has 104 free-standing villas set either in the treetops or on ocean cliffs, each with its own private plunge pool. Designed for open-air living and to amplify the dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean; floor-to-ceiling glass walls and huge, sliding balcony doors dramatically frame the jungle and the sparkling sapphire sea. The large open rooms include comfortable seating and dining areas, inside and out, double-sink vanities, indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, or showers. The indoor showers could host a party! Some of the villas have spas within, projection rooms, massage rooms, full size professional gyms.

Guests have their own dedicated butler and are shuttled around the grounds by buggy. The excellent staff are warm and accommodating, I didn’t experience any wait time by my butler, and this is probably the only complaint I’ve heard – a wait for a butler. The personal touch was abundant, excellent restaurants, and a long list of on property activities, a stay here is especially delightful for travelers who prefer not to venture too far from the property.

Time with your Tribe. Embark on a family adventure through the wilds of Riviera Nayarit, with curated journeys designed for all-ages enjoyment. Spend your days surfing Sayulita’s waves, hiking to ‘La Abuela, and mastering the art of horseback riding, before enjoying family-friendly dining and a campfire under the stars.

So many choices of activities, but to be clear, you won’t be walking to and from, I was very happy with the beck and call buggy service. High points include the two beaches (the wild Canalan beach is especially lovely), a dip in one of the many infinity pools, a beach horse ride organized by the hotel’s Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, or a hike through the historic rainforest peppered with petroglyphs. Mountain bikes can be used in the somewhat hilly jungle terrain, there is archery, polo classes, hiking, tree top zip lines, water sports – a plethora of options – one could be active all day if you can wrench yourself from the secluded tree house deck.  A deck amid a wild jungle teeming with melodic and whistling birds and early morning curious Coatimundi critters who may peek in your windows.

The adult only pool Carao, is dramatically tucked into the hillside, on the edge of a jaw dropping cliff. Jaunty loungers line the long decks, shaded by vibrant carrot orange umbrellas. One could pass a day here with a thick book, interrupted only by cooling laps in the elevated pool.

As customary with O&O properties, there is the complimentary KidsOnly club, with a dedicated forest and butterfly farm. A jungle fort offers outdoor time and the arts and crafts looked stimulating and fun. There is also a family pool, near the sandy Jetty beach.

The expansive yet serene spa offers a variety of treatments, from astrology readings to Tata Harper treatments and classic massages. There is also a massage pool, mud bath and a chill-out area overlooking a forest of ancient Higuera trees. 

The resort includes four open-air restaurants and a treetop bar overlooking the ocean. The fine-dining coastal restaurant Carao, offers modern Mexican cuisine in an elegant, contemporary setting. Menus designed and executed by Enrique Olvera, a meal usually begins with fresh ceviche starters and concludes with multiple desserts including homemade cinnamon buñuelos. Dishes include scallop with broccolini tostadas, tender lobster, fresh salads and fruit. The list of mezcals, tequilas, artisanal agave and international wines is particularly impressive.

The more casual Alma restaurant is Mediterranean inspired with a large garden and pool. An open-air, garden-to-plate restaurant helmed by French Mexican executive chef Olivier Deboise, who prepares dishes like epazote raviolis with huitlacoche and almond cheese over two wood-fired ovens, which also produce yummy pizza.

Alma is also the setting for breakfast; guests can order an array of options from enchiladas and chili scrambled eggs to power bowls and waffles. Order a small portion of chiliquilies with scrambled eggs or Huevos Rancheros. Lastly, there is the casual beach side Jetty Beach Club for light Mexican-style lunches, fresh fish is extremely popular.

Several of the private villas boast immense professional kitchens and chef Olivier Deboise can be reserved to prepare a spectacular dinner feast in your villa. Begin with mezcal cocktails on a cliff side deck with soaring Pacific Ocean views, migrate to the open-air dining room and end the evening around the infinity pool with delectable desserts.

Finally: Retreat to the spa. Each of the six treatment rooms are built within a natural volcanic rock garden, the rooms are conical in shape and appear to be small pyramids amid the jungle. It’s another world at the spa. Treatments are inspired by Indigenous and pre-Hispanic cultures and go beyond typical massage offerings: including mud bath treatments, apply a dark mud treatment to your skin at the mud grotto. Let it dry while relaxing on a lounger, then rinse it off under the tropical rain showers, and quiet sessions in the on-site temazcal, experience an age-old ritual that has been part of Mexican culture for a thousand years. The name ‘Temazcal’ originates from a Nahuatl word meaning “house of heat”. This pre-Hispanic cleansing rite took place before and after battles and sport tournaments due to its healing powers. a sweat lodge inspired by the Indigenous cultures of Mexico, boosts detoxification by combining medicinal herbs with steam and heat.

One could spend over a week here with an amazing combination of ocean kayaking, hiking, reading, archery, tennis combined with visits to the spa for the numerous ritual treatments. A marvelous combination of exercise, ocean dips and spa rejuvenation with ancient healings.

The property is situated within easy driving distance of the relaxed beach towns of Sayulita and San Pancho. It’s 20 minutes drive to the charming seaside town of San Francisco, 45 minutes to Punta Mita, and less than an hour to Puerto Vallarta airport.

Highly Recommend!