Spirits, stars and mystery: three experiences in Boat of Garten for a winter break with a twist
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Winter is fast approaching - frosty days, the festive frenzy and nights stretching long and dark are around the corner.
With them comes the call for a short break, a pause in which to slow down and indulge in a cosy ambience with a hot cuppa or a dram in front of a fire, diving into flavours and trying out something new and different.
And what better way to celebrate the season than to escape to the mountains for a weekend getaway? Few places can wrap you up in the magic of winter like the Cairngorms.
Whether you want a cosy and relaxing retreat or add some fun to your time away, the Boat Country Inn and Restaurant in Boat of Garden has got you covered with a series of special experiences and offers to embrace the cold season.
Indulge in the flavours of the Highlands
Why not spend a weekend celebrating the region's twin culinary treasures?
The hotel offers a special package for visitors to experience the flavours of its wild game and its whisky-making heritage.
While staying in the beautiful setting of Boat of Garten and cosying up in the Boat Country Inn’s warm and welcoming rooms, you will also be able to savour the local craft through delicious and unique whisky tasting, with rare and exceptional drams and a guider private experience, and an even more mouthwatering fine-dining experience indulging in locally-sourced venison.
And whilst you are there, why not visit the newest whisky distillery in the area, The Cairn?
An immersive murder mystery weekend
The Inn's most intriguing winter offering might be its murder mystery weekend, "Mind Your Manors." Set in the fictional Cluckington Hall, guests become sleuths in a tale of artistic intrigue. The two-night experience transforms the cosy Highland Inn into a stage where every guest plays a part in unravelling a carefully crafted mystery.
This is a truly immersive experience, which will start from the moment of your arrival. Enjoy the cosy accommodation at the Inn, delicious, period-appropriate meals and add to the fun dressing up as part of the aristocratic elite or the hardworking manor staff.
So, if you are looking for a thrill to kickstart the new year, this weekend offer is made for you
Dancing with the Northern Lights
Perhaps the most magical offering comes after nightfall. The Boat Country Inn's Dark Skies Weekend takes advantage of the area's incredibly unpolluted night sky. Under the guidance of local expert John Halliday, guests learn not just to spot constellations but to understand the mythology behind them – from Greek to Celtic traditions. Armed with nothing more than their mobile phones and Halliday's expertise in night photography, visitors will have a chance to capture the celestial display above. And, with a bit of luck, there's even the chance to witness the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights.
New and different experiences can help us find a new dimension to winter, which is not a time to escape from, but rather a season to embrace – preferably with a good mystery, a dram of whisky, or a star-filled sky overhead.
