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Castle Venlaw Hotel |
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Home > castle vacations > Castle Venlaw Hotel |
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Castle Venlaw is a Four-Star Hotel located on Edinburgh Road, Peebles, 23 miles south of Edinburgh, in the Valley of the River Tweed in the Borders of Scotland. Recommended by Conde Nast Johansen's The Good Hotel Guide 2002 Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars / AA 3 Star Hotel In a land of castles and country estates, what could be more perfect than a stay in an 18th century country castle? Nestling in 4 acres of beautiful woodland grounds overlooking the Royal and ancient town of Peebles, Castle Venlaw Hotel continues the country house tradition, bringing a perfect combination of relaxed informality and the elegance of another age. You will find a warm welcome from owners John and Shirley Sloggie whose combined wealth of experience in quality hotels ensures a perfect balance of professionalism and Scottish hospitality. "Bordering on Heaven for Lovers…..The meals at Castle Venlaw were nothing short of superb; first-class cuisine in relaxing, comfortable surroundings, with first rate service" Patrick Lavelle, Editor, Sunderland Echo, March 2002 "We were extremely impressed with everything, the room was perfect, and the personal letter left for us in the room was lovely. Dinner was absolutely fantastic, compliments to the Chef; all the staff were really helpful and very attentive. We have already recommended the hotel to friends and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. We were made to feel very welcome and can't think of anything negative to say. We will definitely be back." Callum and Kirsty Rose 18th March 2002 We are pleased to announce that, in response to demand, we have now completed our first four poster suite. Recommended by the Good Hotel Guide 2003 . Make a booking online Hotel History The original house was built in 1782 and enlarged in 1854. An excellent example of Scottish Baronial style. Set in 4 acres of quiet, wooded garden. This building, constructed on the site of the old Smithfield House, was erected in 1782 by Alexander Stevenson, Sheriff Deputy of Peebleshire. Alexander Stevenson was succeeded in ownership by his sisters who, in their turn, sold the house to Ludovic Grant in 1790 and it was then conveyed to William Grant in 1793. The house was bought by Major Archibald Erskine in 1798 and, on his death, was conveyed to James Elphinstone Erskine in 1862. James Erskine with his wife Margaret Constable extended the house to its present size, by the addition of the further storey and the large south wing in 1892. The house was then sold to Mr Richard Davidson, a retired tea planter, whose widow sold the house to Miss Walton in 1946. In 1948 the house was bought by Mr. Alexander Cumming and his wife Jean Brownlee. They intended to operate it as an hotel immediately, but were unable to pay a tax known as the "development tax" which was levied on people turning a private house into a business. Alexander Cumming fought to have this tax abolished and his success is now recorded in Hansard. Venlaw Castle Hotel opened in 1949. In 1972, on the death of Alexander, his son Alastair assumed his father's share of the business and operated the hotel with his mother and wife, Janet Hamilton. Alistair's mother, Jean Brownlee, died in 1994. The hotel was sold on 3rd November 1997 to John and Shirley Sloggie and was re-named Castle Venlaw Hotel. The hotel underwent a major refurbishment in 1999. In addition to complete redecoration, new carpets and new curtains were fitted. A new heating and hot water system was installed and all the bathrooms were replaced. The hotel now operates as a year-round business under the direction of John and Shirley Sloggie. A pictorial history of the hotel is displayed on the ground floor corridor. |
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