Discover Rothes Glen

The Luxury Castle for Whisky Connoisseurs

Renovated for the Whisky Connoisseur

Rothes Glen has 14 king-size en suite bedrooms including one accessible bedroom suite, a stunning drawing room and dining room, breakfast room, library, snooker room, tasting room, whisky vault and tower room. Set within 11 acres of grounds and an idyllic lochan, there are outdoor terraces, heated kennels and sporting rooms to ensure guests can enjoy the best of Speyside’s magnificent scenery. During your stay at Rothes Glen immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Speyside as you explore the finest distilleries, where the art of whisky-making is perfected. For those seeking adventure, indulge in exhilarating outdoor activities such as fishing, shooting, or embarking on scenic walks amidst the breathtaking landscapes that surround the castle. Whether its opulence or comfort, luxury feasting or outdoor adventure, Rothes Glen is the ideal place to enjoy the very best Scottish hospitality in the heart of whisky country.

Your Arrival

Dining can be in the sublime grand dining room, informal breakfast room, or, when weather permits, on our outdoor terraces (that doesn’t exclude bespoke picnics, sumptuous cream teas or light lunches which can be served wherever you choose).

The Snooker Room

This is where you gather after dinner for a wee dram, cigar and a friendly (or competitive) game of snooker. The full-size snooker table is surrounded by whisky memorabilia and looks out onto the terraced garden.

The Library

A cosy room and the perfect spot for Afternoon Tea or a game of Backgammon. Close the door and enjoy some peace and quiet where you can catch up on your favourite book or the latest copy of Whisky Magazine.

The Vault

As well as serving as storage for the cigar humidors, whisky reserves, and the Rothes Glen wine cellar, The Vault contains individual lockers for each room. Here you can store valuable whiskies you may acquire on distillery visits, and if you’re an organiser you can also leave treats and treasures for your guests arrival.

The Breakfast Room

This charming light-filled room is between the kitchen and the dining room. Here you’ll enjoy Violet’s delicious breakfasts and Afternoon Teas.

The Drawing Room

Facing south east the drawing room at Rothes Glen is one of our favourite rooms. This magnificent room has a dual aspect and the bay windows look out across the gardens to the lochan and onto the terraced garden. Cosy up by the open fireplace, challenge someone to a game of chess or tinkle the ivory keys of the grand piano.

The Tasting Room

Home to the Whisky Hall of Fame and the Rothes Glen Old & Rare Whisky Collection, The Tasting Room has a long table exclusively made for us out of old whisky barrels and is the perfect place for a relaxed whisky tasting. Later in the evening the Tasting Room is also home to the Rothes Glen Casino with roulette and blackjack available for the discerning gambler.

The Whisky Observatory

Climb the winding staircase to the very top of the Rothes Glen tower and you reach our new whisky observatory. Wood panelled to mimic the inside of a whisky washback you can sit and enjoy the stunning views with a dram and telescope or read next to the fire in one of our tweed armchairs.

Your Arrival

Your Stay

Your Dining

Your Experience

The Estate

The gardens and grounds of Rothes Glen are extensive and private and have been lovingly restored and improved since we bought the house in 2019. The castle is approached by a long cherry tree lined driveway, and we are surrounded by formal gardens, a stunning meadow with magnificent specimen trees and a private lochan. The formal private gardens include a terrace rose garden, mosaic topiary garden and extensive lawns for croquet, games or relaxing on one of our sun loungers.

There is a large terrace and fountain furnished with a garden table and chairs and a large firepit, ideal for outdoor dining or barbecues or just enjoying the Speyside sunshine. The formal gardens are surrounded by a beech hedge, and you can stroll down the steps into the gorgeous meadow towards the lochan, complete with rowing boat, fed by the Granty Burn. If you’re lucky you may spot our local osprey, red squirrels, pine martens or resident deer dashing in and out of the trees. Whether it's snowdrops and daffodils in the spring, or rhododendrons and lilies in the summer, the gardens and grounds are idyllic all year round, reflecting the grandeur of Rothes Glen and the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

The Bedrooms

Our 14 en suite king-size bedrooms have been fully refurbished and all are marvellously generous in size. Each bedroom is unique and has been lovingly furnished and decorated to reflect the character of the castle. Every bedroom has a king-size bed, crisp cotton sheets and goose-down bedding and an abundance of fluffy white towels and luxury bath and body products. The beds are of the highest quality so whether you are in a four-poster or velvet sleigh bed a good night’s rest is inevitable.

Bedroom Information
Duncan Dunbar, Phoebe’s brother, was the source of the wealth that built Rothes Glen. Without this 19th century brewer and shipping tycoon the house would not exist.
Bedroom Information
Herbert Asquith, British Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916, was a frequent guest at Rothes Glen from the turn of the 20th century. His frequent visits led to the creation of Asquith’s Pond, a section of the old sand quarry turned into a swimming pool so he could take a morning dip in all weathers.
Bedroom Information
Hamish Riley-Smith, Damian’s father, was born in Gartocharn, close to the shores of Loch Lomond. Hamish’s Scottish ancestry, and annual family visits to Jura, passed on his passion for Scotland to Damian. This led directly to the founding of Whisky Magazine and ultimately the arrival of Rothes Glen into the Riley-Smith family in 2019.
Bedroom Information
The original plans name this room “Mrs Dunbar- Dunbar’s Bedroom”. Phoebe Dunbar-Dunbar, inheritor of the Dunbar shipping fortune, commissioned the building of the house with her husband Edward. He did not qualify for his own bedroom on the plans.
Bedroom Information
From 1892 this was the boudoir, the ladies’ evening sitting room where female guests would meet to read, sew and talk. Offering one of the best views from the house, we have turned it into a bedroom, named after Beatrix Justina Dunbar-Nasmith, the last family owner of the house.
Bedroom Information
This was the most sought-after room when the house was a hotel. We have named it after Captain Edward Dunbar-Dunbar, Phoebe’s husband, giving him a named room, the architect never did.
Bedroom Information
Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith is the best-known member of the Dunbar-Nasmith family following his extraordinary contribution to maritime history during the First World War. After marrying Beatrix Justina Dunbar-Dunbar-Rivers and changing his surname to Dunbar-Nasmith, he occasionally stayed at Rothes Glen. During an extended leave from the Navy in the 1920s, he removed and repainted every window in the house. You can visit his memorial in the shadow of the Rothes War Memorial in Rothes.
Bedroom Information
Tony Riley-Smith, Damian’s great uncle, owned the southern part of the Isle of Jura where Damian spent 40 years’ summer and winter holidays. From these visits Damian found his love of whisky and Scotland, and Jura must take some of the responsibility for his falling for Rothes Glen.
Bedroom Information
Charles Chree Doig, the most influential architect in the whisky industry, merits his own room more than most. His original water colours of the house adorn the walls, and his imprint can be felt in every room, most especially the Tasting Room, which he was commissioned to add in 1911.
Bedroom Information
The second great naval name in the Dunbar-Nasmith family, Rear Admiral David was appointed Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, an honour only in the personal gift of the reigning Monarch. As a young naval officer David was a contemporary of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh serving in Malta together shortly after he and the Queen were married.
Bedroom Information
The Ross suite is named after Alexander Ross, one of the leading late 19th century architects of Inverness, Elgin and its surrounds. In 1870 he designed and built the original house on this land, Birchfield House, which tragically burnt down in 1890. Along with Charles Chree Doig he was invited to present designs for the new Rothes Glen you see today.
Bedroom Information
Situated on the second floor of Rothes Glen and in the original servants’ quarters we have joined together three rooms to make the large airy king-size suite and fabulous modern bathroom with underfloor heating, heated towel rail, power shower and gorgeous roll top bath.
Bedroom Information
This gorgeous bedroom situated on the second floor is named after Donald and Elaine Carmichael who ran Rothes Glen as a successful hotel for many years until their retirement in 1996. Everyone we have met in Speyside and beyond seems to have a wonderful memory of a special visit to the castle from this time.
Bedroom Information
This stunning bedroom situated at the entrance to the tower on the second floor is named after our dear friend Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith. Sir James was a highly acclaimed architect who lived in Findhorn and was son of the last family members to own Rothes Glen, Admiral Sir Martin and Lady Dunbar-Nasmith.

The Duncan Dunbar

Duncan Dunbar, Phoebe’s brother, was the source of the wealth that built Rothes Glen. Without this 19th century brewer and shipping tycoon the house would not exist.

The Asquith

Herbert Asquith, British Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916, was a frequent guest at Rothes Glen from the turn of the 20th century. His frequent visits led to the creation of Asquith’s Pond, a section of the old sand quarry turned into a swimming pool so he could take a morning dip in all weathers.

The Hamish

Hamish Riley-Smith, Damian’s father, was born in Gartocharn, close to the shores of Loch Lomond. Hamish’s Scottish ancestry, and annual family visits to Jura, passed on his passion for Scotland to Damian. This led directly to the founding of Whisky Magazine and ultimately the arrival of Rothes Glen into the Riley-Smith family in 2019.

The Phoebe

The original plans name this room “Mrs Dunbar- Dunbar’s Bedroom”. Phoebe Dunbar-Dunbar, inheritor of the Dunbar shipping fortune, commissioned the building of the house with her husband Edward. He did not qualify for his own bedroom on the plans.

The Justina

From 1892 this was the boudoir, the ladies’ evening sitting room where female guests would meet to read, sew and talk. Offering one of the best views from the house, we have turned it into a bedroom, named after Beatrix Justina Dunbar-Nasmith, the last family owner of the house.

The Captain Edward

This was the most sought-after room when the house was a hotel. We have named it after Captain Edward Dunbar-Dunbar, Phoebe’s husband, giving him a named room, the architect never did.

The Admiral

Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith is the best-known member of the Dunbar-Nasmith family following his extraordinary contribution to maritime history during the First World War. After marrying Beatrix Justina Dunbar-Dunbar-Rivers and changing his surname to Dunbar-Nasmith, he occasionally stayed at Rothes Glen. During an extended leave from the Navy in the 1920s, he removed and repainted every window in the house. You can visit his memorial in the shadow of the Rothes War Memorial in Rothes.

The Isle of Jura

Tony Riley-Smith, Damian’s great uncle, owned the southern part of the Isle of Jura where Damian spent 40 years’ summer and winter holidays. From these visits Damian found his love of whisky and Scotland, and Jura must take some of the responsibility for his falling for Rothes Glen.

The Doig

Charles Chree Doig, the most influential architect in the whisky industry, merits his own room more than most. His original water colours of the house adorn the walls, and his imprint can be felt in every room, most especially the Tasting Room, which he was commissioned to add in 1911.

The Rear Admiral

The second great naval name in the Dunbar-Nasmith family, Rear Admiral David was appointed Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, an honour only in the personal gift of the reigning Monarch. As a young naval officer David was a contemporary of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh serving in Malta together shortly after he and the Queen were married.

The Ross

The Ross suite is named after Alexander Ross, one of the leading late 19th century architects of Inverness, Elgin and its surrounds. In 1870 he designed and built the original house on this land, Birchfield House, which tragically burnt down in 1890. Along with Charles Chree Doig he was invited to present designs for the new Rothes Glen you see today.

The Seapark

Situated on the second floor of Rothes Glen and in the original servants’ quarters we have joined together three rooms to make the large airy king-size suite and fabulous modern bathroom with underfloor heating, heated towel rail, power shower and gorgeous roll top bath.

The Carmichael

This gorgeous bedroom situated on the second floor is named after Donald and Elaine Carmichael who ran Rothes Glen as a successful hotel for many years until their retirement in 1996. Everyone we have met in Speyside and beyond seems to have a wonderful memory of a special visit to the castle from this time.

The Sir James

This stunning bedroom situated at the entrance to the tower on the second floor is named after our dear friend Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith. Sir James was a highly acclaimed architect who lived in Findhorn and was son of the last family members to own Rothes Glen, Admiral Sir Martin and Lady Dunbar-Nasmith.

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Reception and Dining Rooms

As you walk in the main entrance you cannot help but be stunned by the opulent hall with its Italian mosaic floor, crystal chandelier and sweeping staircase, all lit by the stain-glass laylight. The hall leads you to all our reception rooms packed with antiques, oil paintings and character. There are formal drawing and dining rooms, a library, large snooker room, tasting room and whisky vault, and a magnificent newly refurbished kitchen and breakfast room. All the reception rooms have huge original windows with fabulous views, open fireplaces and panelled ceilings and are furnished to the highest standard.

Dining Room