The Duke Of Gordon Hotel, owned by Cairngorm Travel, is one of the Premier privately owned hotels situated in the Heart of the Scottish Highlands in the village of Kingussie. The hotel looks out across the Spey Valley and the Cairngorm National Park to Ruthven Barracks, the site of an earlier stone castle, constructed in the 1300’s by the ancestors of the 1st Duke of Gordon.

With origins in the eighteenth century the hotel was originally built as a stop-over for passengers travelling by stagecoach along the old A9 to Inverness and the North of Scotland. The facilities and atmosphere now experienced in the hotel, combined with the hospitality of our staff make the Duke Of Gordon the ideal place to stay when visiting the Highlands.

The Duke Of Gordon’s truly traditional Scottish atmosphere proved to be an ideal filming location for the popular TV series MONARCH OF THE GLEN with a number of our guests appearing as extras.

As a result of extensive modernisation, the Duke of Gordon is one of the very few Highland hotels that can offer all the facilities and  some comforts of a modern hotel combined with the traditional  character and heritage of an old Scottish coaching inn. The hotel has 60 en-suite bedrooms, direct dial telephone, colour TV and  tea/coffee making facilities.

The experience of dining in the elegance and splendour of our impressive Balmoral Restaurant with its heavily corniced ceilings and Peddie murals depicting Scottish Highland history and local scenes of great natural beauty is one not easily forgotten. Our menus are carefully selected and prepared to provide the best traditional Scottish fayre. These, combined with our very personal service, make dining at the ‘Duke’ truly a Jewel in the Highland Crown.

On several evenings guests are piped into dinner by a piper infull Highland dress. Entertainment takes place most eveningsin the Ruthven Ballroom in the form of Ceilidhs, folk nights anddancing.
The Duke of Gordon and the Spey Valley have enchanted Royalty through the ages dating back to the visit of Queen Victoria and her devoted Consort on 8th October 1861. Come and see why Her Majesty was so inspired that she made specific reference to her visit to the ‘Duke’ in her personal diaries.

The evening starts with Bucks Fizz Champagne Cocktails, where you will be piped into the Balmoral Restaurant by our resident piper for the Laird’s Carving Table and Full Highland Carving Buffet followed by our traditional New Year’s Eve Gala Ball in the Ruthven Ballroom. Party the night away and as the chimes of midnight approach welcome in the New Year with Auld Lang Syne followed by the Duke of Gordon’s Firework Display viewed from the Ballroom Balcony (weather permitting).

On New Years day we take a scenic drive to a local beauty spot. We have a stop here for a hot chocolate.

Take part in our local Treasure Hunt; prizes will be given to the winners. A buffet lunch will be served in the Ruthven Ballroom at 12.30pm followed by our Haggis Hurling Competition in the hotel grounds. The piper will pipe you into the Balmoral Restaurant for your New Year’s Day dinner. We invite you to enjoy a Stag’s Breath (our local liqueur) with your coffee.

Journey south to Fort Augustus where you can visit the Clansman Centre and craft shop which is situated in a Turf House, and see a real live Highlander in traditional dress who will tell you all about life in the Highlands in bygone days. You then travel along the shores of Loch Ness (keep a close eye out for the Monster!) to
Drumnadrochit where lunch is available at the Nessie Visitor Centre.

Entrance fees and fares are not included unless stated.

Your tour includes:

The 5 Day Holiday includes:
»» Duke Of Gordon Hotel
»» Executive luxury return coach travel
»» Breakfasts are included
»» Dinner is included
»» Optional Tour is not included