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.

Serenity Now! Ojai and Montecito, Village Life.

My longing for an Epic Voyage is almost crushing. Have you ever analyzed your favorite travel, have you created a list? What does it look like? Is Beach Therapy your go to? Is it adventure and the African savanna’s whispering to you? Or are you craving the majestic calm beauty of Bhutan?

I’ve been safely venturing to boutique properties I hadn’t visited due to a much more intense travel program, and I’ve truly enjoyed re discovering the wine country, Malibu, and Santa Barbara again. Epic Adventure is in planning stage, I will triple vaccinate and mosey to Morocco, Madrid, and Paris.

San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito

New clients asked, how do we create a combo Journey? A new Travel Recipe Series. I.E. we are considering the Maldives and Singapore – and yes they have read my posts on the two Four Seasons in the Maldives and understand my obsession with the magical seas. One of my most favorite Journeys was to the Maldives and despite the long trek, you will want to stay longer than planned!  It may sound exaggerated, but it is true: there aren’t enough superlatives to describe the staggering natural beauty of the Maldives fully and accurately. Note to the dear Four Seasons GM – who invited me for a two-week exploration, sending clients soon, promise!

Discovering that SW airline fly’s direct from Oakland to Santa Barbara, I reserved immediately! I can’t tell you how many times United has forsaken me on their SFO/ SBA routing. My elderly godmother and ancient aunties deserved a visit, off I went.

Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai

Summer heat and pink moment sunsets at the Ojai Valley Inn didn’t disappoint. Two legendary properties, the Inn, and San Ysidro Ranch in the hills of Montecito are a great combo. Sun and the sea. Frank Capra used a long view shot of the Ojai Valley to represent the mythical paradise in the classic film Lost Horizon. In 1923, Edward Drummond Libbey, a wealthy Ohio glass manufacturer and philanthropist, commissioned California architect Wallace Neff to build a private Ojai Country Club. The architectural remnants of the original Spanish-colonial-style design are still in evidence; the hotel offers a little over 300 spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, a relaxing spa, four pools and several restaurants. I’ve always loved sitting beneath the massive Oak Tree terrace for lunch or dinner. The property spreads across a gentle rolling hillside into a deep green valley punctuated by massive Oak trees; the rambling flow of Spanish Revival style buildings resemble a picturesque village of red tile roofs sheltering white stucco walls, typical of what you might view in remote Spanish or Tuscan villages. I met a lovely mom and daughter enjoying a week together, bicycling into town and I shared in my favorite retail therapy boutiques. Several VV Chic Summerland and Montecito shops have added outposts here.

Moving a bit north to Montecito, several first-class options, sadly the Four Seasons is temporarily closed, if you need beach therapy, it is truly la tragédie. Montecito exudes a quiet glam, it doesn’t scream opulence, mansions yes, but most are gated or secreted behind walls of expertly pruned shrubbery and manicured gardens, an enclave of concealed wealth. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, San Ysidro Ranch is another legendary hideaway. The Ranch has a historical guest list: Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill, Sinclair Lewis, and John Huston, who finished writing the screenplay for The African Queen while in residence. Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh exchanged midnight wedding vows on the grounds, and Camelot began here with John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooning in the cottage that now bears their name.

Ultimate seclusion and almost perpetually blessed by sunshine if the beach below is foggy. Tucked away in the leafy foothills of Montecito, San Ysidro Ranch offers a unique blend of privacy, peace, and tranquility in an idyllic setting. Thirty-eight vine-covered cottages surrounded by incredibly landscaped gardens with flowers always in bloom under a canopy of stately sycamores and gnarled oaks make this exclusive property destination unplugged from the rest of the world. Citrus groves, olive trees, brilliantly colored lantanas, lily pond, and the sweet smell of orange blossoms, fragrant magnolias, and jasmine make you think that you have just discovered a slice of paradise. Pass the guard cabin and another world awaits. Oprah and Harry live just up the winding San Ysidro Road.

The Ranch provides several premier dining settings featuring a palate of herbs and vegetables harvested from the onsite chef’s garden. The Stonehouse, a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant, is in a 19th-century citrus packing house and has a romantic full-bar lounge and separate dining room with an outdoor terrace and a crackling fireplace. For a more casual destination, the Plow & Angel offers more regional cuisine and a convivial ambiance as a local favorite. Housed in a storybook setting, the Carriage House features fireside dining with French doors opening to a private stone-paved courtyard.

San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito

Montecito is chock-a-block with charming boutiques, fancy deli’s, delicious dining, and if you perch front and center outside the entrance of the very popular Lucky’s Restaurant, you may think you’ve been transported to Palm Beach. Oh my, peacocks parade each evening… it’s splendid people watching, as Dorothy uttered to Toto – “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Safe, luxurious, easy to and fro – Our local car service can also motor you down the coast, he has been driving a client weekly to Santa Barbara since last year!

Taking a break or a vacation may save your life, we live in the country of No Vacation Nation, which is unhealthy, time off is integral to emotional health. An attorney friend once told me he billed for shower time as it was the most productive time for thinking. According to health experts you have your best ideas in the shower or on a walk—or on vacation!

Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai

Serenity Now means taking good care of yourself.