The Fife Arms

Find a lot of pomp and paisley at the Fife Arms, a Victorian coaching inn that has been imaginatively restored.

Property Details

It’s easy to picture the 19th-century Fife Arms as the stomping grounds of a bygone royal or baron. In fact, Queen Victoria did pay it a visit long ago. The sweeping landscape of Cairngorms National Park forms the backdrop for the Fife Arms, located in the historic Scottish village of Braemar. Traditional architectural characteristics of the area, like timber barge boards and pink and grey granite, are found within. The building retains sash windows, original chimney stacks, and many more of its original qualities.

All 46 guestrooms and suites are individually decorated and named after a local figure, place, event, or theme. Feel right at home in your regal abode in the Royal Suites, inspired by some of the area’s noble visitors. Each sumptuous space is packed to the brim with antiques, artwork, and objects that once belonged to historic figures. Period wallpaper and a brass claw foot tub set the tone further. All of the suites are just as richly decorated with a generous dose of brocade, nature prints, wooden furniture, and curious objects made from natural materials like heather, horn, and tweed.

Art is a common theme throughout the Fife Arms. Specially commissioned pieces have been integrated into each room, corridor, and corner, often making it seem like you are strolling through the hallowed halls of a museum. You will see prints, watercolors, caricatures, and paintings at every turn. Queen Victoria’s delicate stag head watercolor which she painted herself on a trip to Scotland is found hanging by a 19th-century mahogany and pine chimney piece, while Pablo Picasso’s “Mousquetaire assis” rests elsewhere on the property. Get creative in the Artist’s Studio and make your own mark during your stay.

Even the meals at the Fife Arms have a certain creative flair. The Flying Stag is the social center of the village where you can grab a pint, listen to live music, and munch on hearty Scottish fare. For a more refined take, head to the Clunie Dining Room, where chefs showcase the art of wood-fire cooking. Tartan takes over in the Drawing Room, where you will enjoy an elegant afternoon tea. Don’t forget to look up: the ceiling is painted with a dazzling array of color and texture representative of Scottish agates.

Go on foot to explore the dramatic landscape outside. With a forager you will go in search of elder flower, wild garlic, and mushroom. When you are done, recharge your weary legs with the Fife Foot Ritual in the spa.