How to spend a long weekend at Glen Dye

As head of design for Glen Dye I’m no stranger to the glen.

It’s always a welcome trip north and a huge privilege to be able to spend time with our amazing team in the untameable Scottish Highlands.

Whether it’s working on campaigns to document the estate and the people who make it great or sign painting at Taigh, a small intimate weekend of folk music we held in the spring of 2023; whatever it is, I’m keen to spend as much time there as possible for obvious reasons.

After many visits, I realised I had never ventured outside of the estate boundary. There’s so much to do right here on Glen Dye, but I was keen to experience it as our guests might, what else is there to: see, do, visit, eat. That sort of thing.

So, in the late summer of 2024, that’s just what I did. Me and my partner/best-friend made the long drive north (via Tebay, of course) to spend a long weekend in the glen.

I’ll document our weekend below as an itinerary, of sorts, which you are more than welcome to reappropriate as you wish. Maybe you’ll find it useful when planning your own trip.

I hope you enjoy.

THURSDAY

Travelling day.

After a long drive from Chester, we arrived at around 5pm to perfect Scottish sunshine.

Following 7 hours of driving we were very quick to light the hot tub, open a beer and get settled in.

We would be staying in The Hayloft, whose picture perfect window and private platform are better in person than any photo can muster.

FRIDAY

Tàrmachan Cafe, Braemar, The Fife Arms and a cairn walk.

We ventured west, into the Cairngorms with Grampians in sight; worth it for the scenic drive to Braemar alone.

We stopped at Tàrmachan Cafe for coffee. Owners Tom and Caitlin hosted a supper club at Glen Dye years ago, and I’ve been aggressively liking everything on their Instagram since. It’s in a beautiful building, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, with exceptional coffee and pastries. 10/10 would recommend.

Onwards into Braemar; we idled around the village. Of note, Tor Workshop, a superb furniture workshop maker taking serious pride in their craft, and the Hazelnut Pâtisserie, similarly with seriously impressive quality. Don’t be as clumsy as me and drop the box on the way home though.

Our main reason for visiting Braemar was for lunch at The Fife Arms. I’ve been a long-time fan of its branding (by Here.), for its attention to detail and playful executions. It’s a good people watching spot with a real mix of characters; the golfers, the Americans, the tourists and the locals all watched over by the eponymous stag hanging above the bar.

Our final stop was to loop back round and drive to Balmoral (unbeknown to us the royals were in residence, which cut our planned hike abruptly short). We took the trail to the Prince Albert Cairn; the ascent is short and sharp, enveloped in deep Scottish landscape, the creaking pines gave way to the most monumental pyramid and magnificent views over the Cairngorms.

Tired, full and step-count ticked off we headed back to Glen Dye to cook a leisurely dinner and enjoy the now splattered patisserie.

SATURDAY

St Cyrus, Stonehaven and The Seed Store Restaurant.

Recommended courtesy of Caroline, with the accolade of being one of her favourite beaches, we headed out to St Cyrus which, for a Saturday, was almost deserted.

Too windy to sit and enjoy Costa del Aberdeenshire, we went for a great long walk along a wide stretch of beach which was invigorating and hunger-inducing in equal measure.

To satisfy the latter we drove around to Stonehaven via Dunnottar Castle, with The Bay in our sights. No wonder the beaches were empty, half of The Highlands was snaked around the narrow stainless steel countertop, stacked from floor to ceiling with various awards.

We managed to nab the last two seats at the 12-cover Seed Store Restaurant on Saturday evening, immaculately placed under the pines we met new friends, ate incredible food; traditional Scottish faire including an estate venison main and boozy Cranachan for pud.

BYOB, relaxed, and elevated in a very simple way, it was a lovely evening. So much so that when dinner ended all of the guests reconvened in the Glen Dye Arms for a late night aperitif.

SUNDAY

The Adventure Trail and Clachnaben.

Keen to use our stay as an opportunity to slow down, we had a very gentle Sunday: a leisurely breakfast, a long shower and a few chapters of a book.

Jamie read Young Mungo by Douglas Stewart, while I opted for Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski. Both of which I’d really recommend.

After two days of day-tripping, I really wanted to show Jamie more of Glen Dye (well, some of it anyway).

Heading down to The Discovery and Adventure Centre I wanted to show him my latest project, the Adventure Trail. Please do it when you visit! You will hopefully learn a thing or two and explore some of Glen Dye that’s often unseen.

I’m biased, but having worked really hard on it with Caroline and the GD team, I think it’s great (and Jamie had no choice but to agree).

The trail is only about a mile long which we used as a warm up for a late afternoon hike to the top of Clachnaben; the kind of ‘mountain’ that’s attainable to summit, with no less of a thrill when you reach its peak and drink in those incredible views.

MONDAY

Woodland Sauna, Arran Bakery and home.

No trip to Glen Dye is complete without a wood-fired sauna among the tall pines. So every time I go I try to find an excuse, and in this case it was a farewell steam and a promise to not leave it so long next time.

On the way home we detoured via Dunkeld, specifically to visit Aran Bakery. I met Flora a few years back at the last Camp Good Life in North Wales and often use her recipes. I’ve been looking for an excuse to go and it was 100% worth it and 10/10 excellent.

(Even despite Dunkeld’s moronic ‘cash only’ parking system!)

SUMMARY

So, there you have it.

Like all good British holiday-goers I managed to squeeze in a complaint about parking/traffic/travel right at the end to take the shine off what was an immaculate, edifying and cup-filling stay in a truly special place.

Yes (as if you hadn’t already guessed), this is essentially a wax lyrical advertorial. But I hope it helps you give Glen Dye some thought next time you’re planning a holiday. Whether it’s for a few days or a whole week as a couple, a family or a big group.

Be warned though, this place will stick around in your heart and in your head long after you check-out.

Thanks for reading!

Best wishes

Rhys x