Latest news with #Glenapp
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The luxurious Scottish castle offering visitors a Highland Cow safari this summer
The historic castle has been visited by celebrities like Gok Wan and Gordon Ramsay and featured on TV A luxurious estate on the Ayrshire coast is offering something a little different this summer, complete with Highland cow safaris, homemade traybakes, and countryside charm. Glenapp Castle, located near Girvan, is inviting visitors to enjoy its new Summer Special package, blending Scottish heritage, outdoor adventure and fine dining for a getaway to remember. The historic castle, which has hosted famous faces including Gok Wan and Gordon Ramsay, has featured on shows such as Good Morning Britain and Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars. Now it's inviting day-trippers and weekenders to enjoy a distinctly Scottish adventure through its new Summer Special package. With longer days, warmer weather and a rise in last-minute bookings, Glenapp's offering includes a quirky countryside highlight: a private Highland cow safari known as 'Glenapp's Private Coos and Ewes'. The tour gives guests an up-close introduction to Scotland's beloved Highland cows through an exclusive experience in partnership with Kitchen Coos and Ewes, Glasgow Live reports. The gentle giants, affectionately known as 'moodles', each have their own story, including one herd member with a budding modelling career. Guests will not only learn about the social structure and charm of these iconic animals but will also meet tour hosts Janet and Neale, whose 108 combined years of farm life add a warm, personal touch to the journey. The visit ends with Janet's freshly baked traybakes, served with tea and coffee straight from the farmhouse kitchen. To top it all off, guests take home a goody bag filled with Highland coo-themed souvenirs. Back at the castle, guests can unwind at the Azalea restaurant, located inside Glenapp's Victorian Glasshouse, where afternoon tea is served in stunning surroundings. The Summer Special package also includes two nights in one of Glenapp's luxurious Castle Bedroom Suites, along with a complimentary archery lesson, use of the tennis court, croquet lawn, boules, and access to electric and mountain bikes for exploring the estate's 110 acres of gardens and grounds. Dinner is served each night in either the grand Castle Dining Room or the newly launched Azalea restaurant, with a three-course meal included as part of the package. The Glenapp Castle Summer Special is priced from £312.50 per person per night. The Private Coos and Ewes safari experience can be added for £290 for one to four guests, with a £45 charge for each additional person. For more details or to book, visit Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. If you'd prefer to experience the cow safari independently, Kitchen Coos and Ewes offers a variety of tours throughout the season, with different packages available via their website. Travellers planning a longer stay in the area can also explore holiday cottage options in Girvan or nearby Ballantrae. Properties available this summer include Cairnhill and Ailsa View via Sykes Holiday Cottages, the charming Professor's Cottage listed on and a range of Airbnb stays. The idyllic Ailsa Shores, available through TripAdvisor, is also an option for those looking to turn a short visit into a scenic summer mini-break.
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire hotel offers local food and flavours with new restaurant
The Azalea, by Glenapp Castle, opened last month as the five-star hotel added another string to its bow. An Ayrshire hotel is offering up local food and flavours after opening up a new restaurant. The Azalea by Glenapp Castle, near Ballantrae, welcomed its first customers in May this year after the Victorian glasshouse and bothy were transformed. Dating back to 1832, the historic buildings have been carefully redesigned to create a kitchen, toilet block and intimate dining areas as the castle's owners look to welcome more locals to their venue. Acquired by Paul and Poppy Szkiler in 2015, the new restaurant marks the latest development in their tenure at the helm of the popular tourist destination and wedding venue. Ayrshire Live was invited to The Azalea to meet the team behind the scenes and try the new restaurant. On arrival, the sole car park adjoins the 1870s castle and is a short walk from the walled garden which predates it and hosts The Azalea. It may be slightly younger but the castle is no less historic after it hosted Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower as the pair planned the D Day landings in 1944. Paul, accompanied by hotel manager Jill, provided a tour of the groups and the gardens as they highlighted what they hoped guests would take from an evening or an afternoon dining at The Azalea. It is a stunning setting with beautifully tended grounds and picturesque scenes around every corner. Upon entering the walled garden, you are presented with the fruits and vegetables that will one day become dinner. Part of the ethos of executive chef Peter Howarth and his team is sustainability and approximately 80 per cent of the menu's herbs have gone from seed to service within the gardens. A refreshing mocktail of the day was presented upon entry, hand-crafted by Jennifer who takes inspiration from the different ingredients grown and hand-picked in the gardens. The historic nature of the glasshouse has not been lost with grape vines that have grown there for over 100 years have been retained in the setting and the old coal-fired heating system have been lovingly restored to ensure it stays warm in the winter. Starters included baked west coast lobster freshly caught from the Firth of Clyde near Ballantrae, Glenapp's garden pea risotto and the splendid grilled fillet of west coast mackerel, spiced aubergine, chilli and garlic oil - who knew aubergine could taste so nice? The menu does change regularly to ensure the chefs can take advantage of what is currently in season. Mains included roast rump of Scottish lamb, Roscoff onion and fennel Tarte Tatin and the perfectly cooked Summerisle four per cent beer-battered west coast cod - the crispy and flavoursome batter is a result of the mixture being left to mature for a couple of days before it meets the freshly-caught cod. For dessert, champagne and rhubarb trifle, chocolate marquise - made with bespoke Glenapp 69 per cent Valrhona chocolate - or the delightful Scottish strawberry pavlova - a perfect seasonal dish with juicy fresh strawberries taken straight from the gardens. It's not just dinner that Glenapp Castle hopes to sell you, its an experience as diners are encouraged to come for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea before - or after - exploring the grounds and all Glenapp has to offer.
