Shieldhill Castle Hotel

Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas!’ quite like a castle.

Give someone special a romantic winter break in a Borders castle with today’s Big Deal from the magnificent Shieldhill Castle Hotel by Biggar.

Dating back to 1199, Shieldhill Castle is set in the beautiful upper Clyde Valley and is conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The hotel has won many an award.

Not least, it was named Regional winner of Scottish Wedding Venue of the Year 2016 and Romantic Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2015.

Christmas getaway

With this Big Deal valid until the end of March 2017, it is very flexible.

You could use it for a relaxing post-festive period break and it would also make a wonderfully romantic Christmas gift for your nearest and dearest.

Seven days a week

Available seven days a week, the offer is for two people to enjoy a stay in a classic double, twin or stables room with a full Scottish breakfast each morning.

This Big Deal comes in two options. Option one is for a one night stay with a three course dinner.

Option two is for a two night stay with a three course dinner on the first night.

Both options include a welcome bottle of chilled Prosecco on arrival.

Individually styled rooms

The hotel has 30 individually styled rooms.

Whether you are staying in a classic double in the castle itself, or in one of the rooms in the beautifully converted stable block, the rooms are all ensuite.

Rooms in the castle are named after Scottish battles.

Those in the stables are named after whiskies.

Scottish produce

Dinner is served in the Chancellors’ Restaurant.

With intricate cornicing and huge windows looking over the castle grounds, it is a gorgeous setting for a spectacular meal.

The chefs like to use the best locally sourced fresh ingredients including carefully selected fish, meat, game and vegetables.

The menus change regularly. However, typical starters might be the ham hough terrine with plum chutney and toasted focaccia or the traditional Scottish smoked salmon with horseradish cream, capers and dressed leaves.

Popular main courses include the oven-roast lemon thyme chicken supreme set on a lemon thyme risotto and the wild mushroom tagliatelle with confit garlic cream.

Dessert might be the sticky toffee pudding with a butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream or perhaps the dark and white chocolate mousse with spiced oranges.

Happy visitors

Many visitors to Shieldhill Castle Hotel have left glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. These are excerpts from recent reviews:

‘What a lovely hotel. Second time here and loved it! Décor is in keeping with the hotel’s obvious age and charms. The re-furbished main staircase is absolutely beautiful. Staff are so nice and helpful and friendly… good service and the dining experience excellent… Keep it up Shieldhill, you are on a winner here!’

‘Fantastic visit. Visited this hotel again… our fourth visit. As usual the food was delicious, the staff are fantastic and nothing is too much trouble. Our room in the castle was beautiful and so comfortable. I highly recommend visiting and we will definitely be back again. Thanks to Mary and her fantastic team for making our stay so pleasurable…’

‘If you see a deal, take it. Was lucky to see a deal for overnight dinner and breakfast. Beautiful castle with all the character you would imagine. History of the castle well worth reading. Lovely big rooms, very friendly staff and excellent service. Food was lovely and would recommend taking up any deals you can find.’

‘If you see a deal, take it.’

There isn’t much we can add to that.

Except that as we mentioned, this Big Deal would make a very romantic Christmas present.

It would also be great as a post-Christmas getaway. The festive period isn’t always as relaxing as you might wish.

A gourmet getaway to Shieldhill Castle Hotel is a fantastic way to recharge the batteries at the start of the year.