“In paradise itself”, wrote the poet Robbie Burns, “I would ask for nothing more than a simple Highland welcome.” Well, if you’re not prepared to wait that long, you can experience an equally heavenly Highland welcome at the Torridon Hotel in Wester Ross.

It would be hard to imagine a more impressive estate than this 19th-century baronial mansion; harder still to imagine the verdant fairy tale in which it takes place. The resort borders the calm waters of Upper Loch Torridon to the north and the dramatic peaks of the Torridon Hills to the south.

Owner and general manager Dan Rose-Bristow, who has run the hotel with his wife Rohaise for nearly 30 years, attributes part of the Torridon’s legendary status to its impressive surroundings.

“The location is ultimately the draw; the thing that sparks interest,” Dan explains. “There aren’t many places you can visit where you’re sitting 200 yards at sea level from a sea loch, looking up at 3,000 foot mountains. Our location certainly makes our job easier and we have lucky to have a foothold in this northwest corner that allows us to promote what we do and attract staff.

But the landscape can only take you so far, and by focusing on the people they employ, the bespoke experiences they deliver, and the producers they collaborate with, Dan and Rohaise have succeeded in redefining the experience. five-star hotel.

Luxury that enriches life

“We have a philosophy here that combines location, adventure and sustainability with luxury, and I think the definition of luxury has definitely changed. People tend not to use the word too much these days – there is more of a focus on We don’t have a 24-hour concierge, but we can provide experiences and access to activities that 90% of guests won’t have done before – or at least not since they’ve been in the scouts.

The Torridon’s outdoor team coach and guide small groups of up to six people through sea kayaking adventures, loch snorkeling trips and hilly hikes, giving them the opportunity to spot sea ​​eagles, seals, otters and all sorts of other wildlife from new perspectives.

And as the sun sets, the curtain opens on a celestial spectacle the likes of which you would struggle to see anywhere but in Scandinavia. Dan says, “We have an experience where you dine with astrologer Steven MackIntosh, who walks you through a presentation on stars and planets before stepping out with the telescope and checking out the night sky.”

A sustainable approach

Munro bagging, archery and unforgettable walks without; whiskey tasting, fine wines and quality Scottish produce served by friendly staff. These experiences and services are all developed with a keen eye on sustainability.

As Dan explains: “We run a biomass system, we switch from gas to electric induction, food waste is composted and used in the vegetable garden. We just installed a deer fence around the estate and planted 1,000 trees. Whatever we do, we always look at our carbon footprint and think, is this the responsible thing to do? Can we do better?

For Dan, all of these elements are intrinsic to providing what he calls “relaxed experiential luxury”.

“It’s about giving people an experience through every touchpoint, so they leave here thinking this is the first time they’ve experienced this kind of wow factor.”

A little like The Torridon, The Macallan also takes great pride in high quality British manufacturing, combining the finest ingredients and a sustainable production process to create a whiskey of exceptional quality and distinctive character. The Macallan Double Cask range is available from The Whiskey Exchange, The Whiskey Shop, Waitrose and other premium retailers. Learn more about themacallan.com