Yew House, Stirlingshire

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Sleeps up to 14

Enjoying a fascinating history and standing in splendour, the luxurious Scottish retreat Yew House sits in 450 acres of gardens on the edge of the charming village of Kippen in Stirlingshire. It boasts seven lavish bedroom suites, sensational living spaces, a high-end kitchen, a games room, a glorious Victorian walled garden with alfresco dining and an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub and a fabulous air of sophistication and grandeur. Now owned by the third baronet of Rossie, Sir James Hutchison, the house has been occupied by his family for over one hundred years. Sir James’ maternal great-grandfather, Archibald Colville ran the largest steel works in Scotland, David Colville & Sons. It is understood that during the 1920’s his wife was said to be the first person to host ‘cocktail parties’ in Scotland with Fortnum & Mason commissioned to entertain the guests in lavish style. The Fortnum & Mason carriage would be sent on the overnight train from London to Scotland where on arrival at Stirling Station, the horse drawn carriage would head to the house for the evening’s glamorous entertainment. The original Georgian House stands in the grounds of an old monastic sanctuary said to be linked to Inchmahome Priory on the island of Inchmahome in the nearby Lake of Menteith. The giant yew tree next to the house was planted by the Augustinian Canons that lived there nearly eight hundred years ago. The tree in listed in John Lowe’s 1897 book ‘The Yew Trees of Great Britain and Ireland.

Kippen is an enchanting village in West Stirlingshire which lies between the Gargunnock Hills and the Fintry Hills, overlooking the Carse of Forth. The village is nine miles west of Stirling, twenty miles north of Glasgow and only forty five minutes from Edinburgh airport. Yew House is a fifteen minute walk from the centre of the village where guests can enjoy two cosy, atmospheric pubs and restaurants, a local shop, a butcher and a lovely delicatessen. Though you may like to stay put in this characterful home and its phenomenal grounds, there are plenty of attractions close by including the Blair Drummond Safari Park, Inchmahome Priory and the Lake of Menteith, Doune Ponds, Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling Golf Club, Doune and Sterling Castles, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Golfers may also want to fit in a round of golf at Gleneagles. The beauty of Yew House is that it is totally private and perfect for a special occasion yet everything is on the doorstep.  

Yew House enjoys elegant, period decor. You feel so special when you arrive and tour the house. The living spaces are beautifully finished and you will realise immediately that you will make magical holiday memories in this exquisite home. The magnificent drawing room boasts plush velvet sofas and chairs, lavish rugs, vintage furniture and a truly fabulous feature fireplace. It is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks or a late night glass of whisky by the fire. Lavish drapes fall by the beautiful, enormous sash windows that drown this fabulous room in natural light and offer spectacular garden views. A wonderful chandelier drops from the intricate ceiling rose. The library is another wonder in deep red tones with sumptuous sofas surrounded by leather-bound books. You may want to disappear with the Sunday newspapers and a cup of tea to this characterful room. You will dine in style in the Victorian dining room which comfortably seats all of the guests in your party. It offers an ambience of bygone splendour. With a wall of rich wooden cabinetry, vintage rugs, warm decor, a feature fireplace, gorgeous period features and another set of enormous sash windows, the room is absolutely perfect for a celebration feast. The kitchen is sensational, a superb, sociable space with exquisite cabinetry, a central island with stools, a butler’s sink, an aga, an induction hob, a double oven, an American styled fridge freezer, wine coolers and a Nespresso coffee machine. The chefs in your group will be in awe of this magnificent space and its top notch appliances. It even enjoys an adjoining scullery. If you have some emails you need to catch up on, the ground floor is also home to an office as well as a delightful garden room and a handy cloakroom.

The games room is in the basement, a fun space with a table tennis table, darts and board games. It is ideal for some healthy competition and a likely den if you have teenagers with you.

Five sumptuous bedroom suites, including the glorious master, are located on the first floor and a further two on the second. Every room enjoys its own style and character. You will discover bold painted panels, delicate wallpapers, vintage furniture, opulent soft furnishings and the comfiest of beds. There are two rooms with kingsize beds, two with doubles, one with twins and two with flexible sleeping so you can choose if you have twins or large doubles. The master enjoys access to a balcony which offers far-reaching views of the garden. Though the house may be ancient, the bathrooms are luxurious and immaculate. They offer a mixture of gorgeous slipper baths, contemporary walk-in showers and beautiful tiling.

The grounds of Yew House are simply astonishing. Brimming with ancient, towering trees, meadows, a stream, lush lawns, topiary and mature borders, you can wander for hours enjoying its beauty. The Victorian Walled Garden is stunning and now the home of a new outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining area, hot tub and shower. Just imagine, popping a few champagne corks and lazing in the nine seater hot tub with beautiful gardens all around! The outdoor kitchen comes with a gas barbecue, perfect for the barbecue masters in your holiday group to cook a feast. There are some delightful games for family fun including croquet, boules and swingball.

Yew House offers privacy and luxury in equal measures. It is captivating, luxurious and supremely comfortable. You will feel a little as though you have stepped back in time! There is something for everyone both at the house and close by. Horse riding, watersports, fishing, hiking, visiting historical sites, mountain biking, cycling, hunting, archery, shopping and gourmet dining can all easily be on the agenda.

Yew House is nestled in a 450 acre estate surrounded by nature. It sits on the edge of the pretty village of Kippen which offers two wonderful pubs and a few shops which are within walking distance of the house.

The historic city of Stirling is nearby on the River Forth, surrounded by rich farmland. Once the capital of Scotland, the city is dominated by Stirling Castle, a fabulous visitor attraction. The castle boasts a Royal Palace, the Chapel Royal, the Regimental Museum and lots for young ones. From its dramatic rocky eyre, the fortress definitely rewards your stroll along Stirling’s cobbled main street with spectacular views over the stunning Stirlingshire countryside. Stirling is home to some of Scotland’s most epic events which you will learn about when visiting its historic attractions. Stirling’s famous landmark, The National Wallace Monument overlooks the scene of Sir William Wallace’s greatest victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The Old Town Jail tells the tale of crime and punishment in the Royal Burgh of Stirling. Another jewel is The Church of the Holy Rude which was founded in the 12th century. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is wonderful. Surrounded by portraits of Bonnie Prince Charlie, William Wallace and others, you will discover some astonishing artefacts such as the oldest football from 1540 and the oldest curling stone from 1511.

Those that love outdoor activities can enjoy horse-back riding at Castle Rednock, mountain biking, cycling, archery, kayaking and an excellent range of watersports at Go Country Adventure, Loch Ard, hiking in the local hills and fishing in the Lake of Menteith.

The Lake of Menteith is situated on the Carse of Stirling. Until the 19th century, it was known as the Loch of Menteith. There are some small islands on the lake, the largest being Inchmahome with its ancient monastery. The Earl of Menteith founded Inchmahome Priory in 1238. Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots visited and in fact, Mary Queen of Scots was hidden there for a few weeks aged four. It is an Augustinian Monastery in a truly idyllic setting. The woodlands surrounding the monastery are carpeted in wildflowers, adding to its appeal. Three of the Spanish chestnuts on the island are listed in Scotland’s top one hundred trees. Visitors can take a boat trip from the Port of Menteith from March until September each year. To return, you turn the signal post around. To the west of Lake Menteith is Flanders Moss, one of the largest remaining bogs in Scotland. The lake is very popular for fishing and the Port of Menteith Fisheries rent out boats so that you can catch rainbow and brown trout. If the lake freezes over during a harsh winter, the lake is the scene of the ‘Bonspiel’, an outdoor curling tournament.

It is very easy to combine your stay in Yew House with a trip to Edinburgh. The captivating City of Edinburgh enjoys a wealth of top attractions for the whole family, excellent shopping opportunities and sensational fine dining. With a stunning backdrop of the dramatic Arthur’s Seat, the Pentland Hills and Edinburgh’s waterfront, this ever popular city is a remarkable place to visit. You can take a cruise on the River Forth, explore the ancient castle, shop until you drop, wander through the cosmopolitan streets of the Port of Leith, listen to bagpipes and dine until you burst. At the top of the Royal Mile on the top of Castle Rock, you can visit Edinburgh Castle, the number one visitor attraction in Scotland and the most iconic building in the city. Perched on the top of an extinct volcano, the castle and its esplanade offers astonishing views of Edinburgh. Inside, you can visit St Margaret’s Chapel, The National War Memorial and the Half Moon Battery. The regal Crown Square is home to the Grand Hall and Scotland’s crown jewels. Edinburgh is especially popular during the August Festival and at Christmas and New Year. Edinburgh is home to three excellent galleries, The National Gallery on the Mound, the Portrait Gallery on Queen Street and the Gallery of Modern Art. The Scottish National Gallery boasts some of the world’s finest art by the likes of Rembrandt, Monet and Raphael. The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world, celebrating the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott. It was built in the 19th century and is one of the most striking landmarks on the Edinburgh city skyline. Visitors can climb the 287 steps to enjoy far reaching views of the city and surrounding countryside. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Some areas of the Palace are open to the public including the State Apartments, the Throne Room and the Morning Drawing Room. The Royal Botanic Gardens are located in Stockbridge, a very attractive area twenty minutes walk from the city centre. You will discover a beautiful collection of more than 100,000 plants and 70 acres of stunning green space. The Royal Yacht Britannia was Her Majesty The Queen’s floating palace for over 40 years and is one of the city’s best attractions. You can enjoy a complimentary audio tour and follow in the footsteps of royalty exploring this wonderful yacht that is permanently moored beside Ocean Terminal.