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Restoration of Rothes Glen mansion to heavenly whisky castle is realisation of dream for owner Damian Riley-Smith


By Lorna Thompson

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FOR the owner of a landmark Speyside mansion, its transformation into a heavenly whisky castle is the realisation of a long-held dream.

This summer marks the opening of Rothes Glen, between Elgin and Rothes, as an exclusive, indulgent experience for whisky connoisseurs.

The mansion has been lovingly restored over the last 18 months by owner Damian Riley-Smith and wife Pippa, who saw its potential as the ideal base for whisky enthusiasts.

Local plumbers, electricians and joiners have been involved in the huge seven-figure renovation project, which is around two weeks' away from completion.

It will offer everything a whisky enthusiast could ask for – tasting room, whisky vault, whisky cabinets, whisky library and, of course, whisky galore from around the world.

The mansion was built in 1893 by architect Charles Doig, known for introducing the pagoda roof to the maltings of Scotland’s distilleries.

Damian founded Whisky Magazine in 1998 and was the force behind a series of Whisky Live festivals started in 2000. He spent 40 summers and winters on the Isle of Jura where his great uncle, the owner of Ardfin Estate there, started Jura Distillery, which inspired his lifelong fascination with whisky.

Damian said: "We probably wouldn't have done this project if it wasn't this house because it's so iconic, so central, in the main drag of whisky country, and so beautiful.

"It has been my long-held dream to create a home from home for those with a passion for the Scottish Highlands and offer the ultimate base for the whisky connoisseur.

"When I found this house was built by the man who built most of the distillery pagodas then it was definitely, for me, meant to be an entertainment place for whisky lovers."

Damian Riley-Smith, who has revamped Rothes Glen as a Speyside home for whisky connoisseurs. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Damian Riley-Smith, who has revamped Rothes Glen as a Speyside home for whisky connoisseurs. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Rothes Glen owner Damian Riley-Smith in the main drawing room. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Rothes Glen owner Damian Riley-Smith in the main drawing room. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The concept is that guests will feel at home with free run of the house and grounds, enjoying a drink when and where they want. Damian said: "The way most of us like to drink premium spirits is you want to do it in a comfortable atmosphere, and not, if possible, be charged too much.

"One of our policies here is all drinks will be at cost. The expense is renting the place.

"Guests will have fine food, lots of tastings, and can wander around and drink anywhere they want, served by a host."

Rothes Glen was the rented holiday home of Herbert Asquith, prime minister between 1908-16, and as a hotel between 1948-98 hosted guests such as Sean Connery.

The renovation work has uncovered Italian marble mosaic flooring which had been perfectly preserved under carpet for around 70 years. Workers also discovered a painted mural behind some plasterboard in the formal dining room depicting a River Spey fisherman, which will be kept on display.

Damian said: "It's turned out to be a slightly bigger house than I thought it was!

"Every bit of furniture I've had to source and buy over the last year and a half, which is fun if you like auctions, which I do.

"But you don't get to have the privilege to restore something like this without a few problems along the way.

"Every bit of window furniture has come off, been cleaned and replaced and there are 97 windows in the house, so that was a fun lockdown project."

As a hotel the building had 25 bedrooms. It has been converted to 11 individually decorated suites with luxurious bathrooms, including an accessible ground-floor suite for disabled access. Another four suites are planned for an upper level of the house. Every suite has been given a name based on the history of the house.

A circular whisky observatory is planned eventually for the top of the house tower.

One of the 11 individually decorated bedrooms at Rothes Glen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
One of the 11 individually decorated bedrooms at Rothes Glen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The central staircase and stained glass laylight at Rothes Glen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The central staircase and stained glass laylight at Rothes Glen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

The couple have been committed to using local suppliers throughout. Curtains were made by Alves-based Cinderella Fabrics, all the fabrics came from Johnstons of Elgin, and most of the furniture from local auctions and antique shops other than the beds which were supplied by Elgin's Grampian Furnishers.

The tasting room is dominated by a bespoke table made of 450 staves by Cabrach-based Barrel Creations.

The couple have also restored the 11 acres of grounds, which include a meadow, a helipad, and a private lochan and island on which they hope to serve meals.

They have employed two housekeepers, a gardener, and a chef is about to be appointed. Two more housekeepers, a full-time host and casual front-of-house staff will be required as the house begins to welcome guests.

Damian said: "We're ready to make the place come to life and have some personality back.

"This year it will be harder to welcome an international audience but we're ready and waiting. I have 20 partners in the world of whisky, from Japan to China, Taiwan to America, and I know they're desperate to come and start using it for their clients.

"Hopefully it looks the part and is a comfortable home for people to come and enjoy. That's what it's meant to be."


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