The Fife Arms

Described by the Financial Times as "Scotland's Hottest Hotel," The Fife Arms is a Victorian coaching inn that has been imaginatively restored. The hotel is located in Braemar's historic Scottish village amidst the majestic landscape of the Cairngorms National Park. A Braemar Landmark. Built-in the 19th century, The Fife Arms Hotel is a Braemar landmark and is a category B listed building. Its size is evidence of Braemar's popularity in the wake of Queen Victoria’s visits and her purchase of Balmoral. The building displays many of the area's traditional architectural characteristics with its timber bargeboards, pink and grey granite, and multi-gabled principal elevation. The building has retained all of its timber sash and case windows with their distinctive Arts and Crafts multi-paned upper sashes and many original chimney stacks.

Architect, Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. The plans of the hotel by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, who remodeled the original building, are held by the National Archive of Scotland. Mackenzie was an architect of national repute whose fame grew after royal patronage. He was responsible for the design of Crathie Kirk in 1893 and was subsequently chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Fife for the new Mar Lodge in 1895. Mackenzie was also the Architect for two prestigious projects in central London, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Australia House.

Art At The Fife Arms. Art is central to The Fife Arms experience. As co-founders of the acclaimed global gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Iwan and Manuela Wirth have been passionately dedicated for many years to modern and contemporary art. More than 14,000 pieces, including antiques and specially commissioned artworks, have been thoughtfully integrated into every room, corridor, and corner. Special Commissions. Among these works are large-scale site-specific commissions by internationally-renowned artists from outside of Scotland – Zhang Enli, Guillermo Kuitca, Subodh Gupta, Richard Jackson, and Bharti Kher. The reception also features a special Steinway piano that was creatively reimagined by contemporary artist Mark Bradford.

Rooms & Suites, each of the 46 guestrooms and suites have been thoughtfully decorated with artwork and antiques to tell a story of a local person, place, event, or theme.

Eat & Drink, the Fife Arms, will showcase the finest seasonal produce for which Scotland is world-famous. Many of the ingredients used in the kitchens and bars will be sourced from local suppliers, gamekeepers, and farmers—the Flying Stag from fresh seafood and game to local whiskies and spirits. Traditionally the heart of the village, The Flying Stag, is the hotel’s public bar. Frequented by residents and visitors alike, the public bar offers classic Scottish dishes, real ales, live entertainment, and a selection of over 180 whiskies. The Clunie Dining Room, taking its name from the River Clunie, which runs past the hotel, Clunie Dining Room showcases wood-fire cooking and seasonal Scottish produce in a striking room painted by artist Guillermo Kuitca. The Drawing room, where tradition meets contemporary.

The Drawing Room is one of the hotel’s most picturesque rooms. With walls covered in The Fife Arms tartan and the ceiling featuring a work by leading Chinese artist Zhang Enli, this is a place to enjoy morning coffee, afternoon tea, and the room itself. Elsa’s, this beautiful art deco cocktail bar, was created in honor of the iconic fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, a regular visitor to Braemar. With an interior inspired by her love of shocking pink, Elsa’s is the perfect place for a pre-dinner aperitif or a post-dinner nightcap.