The Torridon Hotel was built in 1887 by William King-Noel, the first Earl of Lovelace, to serve as a Victorian hunting lodge nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Wester Ross, Scotland. William King-Noel was a British nobleman, scientist, and politician who married Ada Lovelace, the renowned mathematician and early computing pioneer and was also the daughter of the poet Lord Byron.
The couple would spend weeks at the lodge over spring and summer, entertaining a who’s who of Victorian society at the lodge, a blend of Victorian Gothic architecture with opulence, comfort, and Victorian interior grandeur. Guests could enjoy the breathtaking views of the local landscape encompassing lochs, mountains, and forests and hunting red deer, grouse, and other native game. The lodge was a true Highland hideaway for Ada and William, a world away from their busy schedules and lives in London.
Over the years, the property changed ownership and purpose, evolving from a private residence to a hotel. The building and interiors remained relatively unchanged, retaining their character and charm, even with the addition of modern technology and services. However, by 1992, the hotel’s reputation was languishing as the estate and lodge began showing signs of neglect and desperately needed investment. Thankfully, husband and wife David and Geraldine Gregory saw its potential, bought the property, invested heavily, and rebranded the site as The Loch Torridon Country House Hotel. David and Geraldine had a clear vision that the hotel should be a destination where guests feel like it’s a home-from-home balanced with world-class Scottish hospitality.
A significant change in the story of The Loch Torridon Country House Hotel came in 1999 with the appointment of David and Geraldine’s daughter, Rohaise Rose-Bristow and her husband Dan, who took over the management of the hotel and estate. Rohaise and Dan eventually bought the business outright in 2004, giving them complete control over the future and direction of the hotel and estate, with the ambition of creating one of Europe’s best independent luxury hotels and destinations.
Since taking ownership, Rohaise and Dan have focused on providing guests with curated experiences that immerse them in the Scottish Highlands’ natural beauty, heritage, and flavours. Several unique experiences are available, including guided mountain walks, sea kayaking, archery and clay pigeon shooting, star gazing, and more. The cuisine features ingredients and produce grown in the estate’s kitchen garden or sourced from the best local suppliers.
Rohaise and Dan expanded the whisky bar, which now features over 350 single malt whiskies from across Scotland alongside some international brands. Around 2014, Rohaise and Dan noticed an increase in the number of Scottish Gins and brands available. They were impressed by the diversity and quality of these new Scottish Gins and added several to the bar’s menu, which proved very popular with their guests.
Rohaise and Dan noticed a growing range of Highland Scottish Gins as the Scottish Gin category grew, but nothing specific to Torridion. Rohaise and Dan began a journey in 2017 to create a Torridon Scottish Gin that reflected the local landscape and what makes it unique – the land, mountains, lochs and the sea. Working with Dunnet Bay Distillery, the couple and their culinary team used the rich bounty of local, wild botanicals and botanicals from the hotel’s kitchen garden to develop the final Arcturus Torridon Gin Original Edition. The brand draws its name from a first-magnitude star in the constellation of Boötes, amongst the brightest stars that can be seen from Earth and is related to the stag and the rising of the star Arcturus. Long term Rohaise and Dan would love to build an on-site distillery and visitors experience, further enhancing their current range of guest experiences.
Arcturus Torridon Gin Original Edition is the signature London Dry Scottish Gin from Arcturus. The local landscape inspired the choice of botanicals, which include a selection of classic gin botanicals, including juniper, alongside scots lovage from The Torridon kitchen garden, bilberries and rowanberries from local mountains and kelp seaweed from the local coast and shores of the sea lochs.
On the nose, juniper and freshly cut herbs give a noticeable, refreshing herbaceousness and a scent of dried berries with a subtle hint of the sea. On the palate, piney juniper is married with a pithy, slightly tart fruit note and some salinity that moves into an earthy herbaceousness. The finish provides further green, herby notes balanced with some earthy spices and a brief note of pine needles.
Key Botanical(s): Bilberries, Rowanberries, Scots Lovage
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 41.5% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange, tonic and ice.
Arcturus Torridon Gin Scots Pine Edition is the second London Dry Scottish Gin release from Arcturus. This Scottish Gin combines a selection of botanicals featured in the signature Arcturus Torridon Gin Original Edition with Douglas Fir and Scots Pine needles sourced from trees on the estate.
On the nose, bright, fresh pine and forest notes are accompanied by hints of lemon citrus and fragrant rosemary. On the palate, piney juniper transitions to lemon citrus and subtle herby rosemary notes. On the finish, herbaceous notes linger with hints of zingy citrus, underlined by a crisp, fresh, minty menthol note.
Scottish pine trees are the only native pine trees in the UK, and pollen records for the species in Scotland date back as far as 8500 years. The trees eventually became extinct in most of the British Isles except Scotland.
Key Botanical(s): Douglas Fir, Lemon Verbena, Scots Pine Needles
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 41.5% ABV
Goes great with: A sprig of rosemary, tonic and ice.
Whether it’s a relaxing break away from the world or the chance to put on your walking boots and rekindle a love of the great outdoors, The Torridon has provided a place of sanctuary to its visitors since 1887.
Originally a Victorian shooting lodge, the building has been carefully and tastefully restored to retain its Victorian splendour with contemporary touches and modern comforts.
With 18 bedrooms, an AA 3 rosette restaurant led by Head Chef Paul Green, Torridon Kitchen Garden and the Gin Botanical Garden, a bar housing over 365 whiskies and 120 gins, The Torridon provides the perfect backdrop to relax and enjoy Scotland’s larder.
Tour: No
Gin School: No
Cafe: No
Bar: No
Shop: No
Booking: Learn more about The Torridon Hotel here
Learn more about Arcturus Torridon Gin by visiting the links below.
