Christmas
Christmas is a very special time, and here at Muckrach Lodge we have created a very special Scottish Highland Christmas package for you. Join us over three or four days of feasting, relaxing and resting in our beautiful Country House Hotel. Roaring log fires, softly playing Christmas carols and the wonderful fragrances of spruce Christmas trees, cinnamon and nutmeg will envelop you as you enjoy everything that is wonderful about this time of year.
This package is not bookable online.
Christmas in the Cairngorms National Park is very special. With the mountains covered in snow from November through to early June, the Cairngorms makes any Christmas experience very festive. The mountains have a great ski resort, a roaming reindeer herd and a steam train that offers Santa rides. A delight for adults and children alike.
The Cairngorm mountains have webcams where you can monitor the weather.www.cairngormmountain.co.uk
Wednesday December 23rd
Arrive to have afternoon tea, or a wee dram of something stronger if you prefer. Settle in, maybe go for a stroll, and return to prepare for a pre dinner aperitif to meet your fellow guests. Then, choose your three course supper from our A la Carte menu, and your wine from our extensive wine list. This meal will be served in the restaurant at your own table.
Christmas Eve
After breakfast, your time is your own until 6:30pm when Champagne and Canapés are served in the bar. In many European countries, Christmas Eve supper is a very important meal in the holiday calendar. Here at Muckrach you can enjoy our special four course menu exquisitely prepared by our Head Chef and her team using the finest ingredients - some local and some from a little further afield.
During the evening enjoy some live Scottish music
After dinner, retire to the bar for an after dinner cognac, one of our many malt whiskies, or perhaps a cocktail from our extensive list*.
CHRISTMAS DAY
A leisurely breakfast is served from 9 to 10:30am. Then, after maybe a walk or some other local activity, join us for a sherry at 1pm, receive your complimentary Christmas gift, listen to some carols and prepare for Christmas Dinner, which will be served at 1.30pm.
Pear, celeriac and stilton veloute
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Duck liver and fresh truffle pate, tea smoked duck breast, Mostarda fruits
Assiette of Scottish Salmon: Hot smoked, Local Speyside smoked salmon, wild salmon poached with dill and white wine,
white balsamic glaze and lemon puree
Artichoke risotto, stuffed red and green peppers, sun dried tomato pesto sauce, parmesan crisps
...
Mint and champagne sorbet
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Roast Turkey, goose fat roasted potatoes, roast chestnut and brandy soaked apricot stuffing, locally made chipolata sausages, nutmeg Brussels sprouts, honey glazed carrots and parsnips, wilted greens.
Roast ribeye of local beef, horseradish creamed potatoes, red wine and port jus, curly kale, baby purple and white carrots and turnip and thyme puree
Pan seared halibut, butter spinach, parsnip puree, saffron and vanilla sauce
Wild mushroom Stronganoff, onion and chestnut parcels, mixed bean and garlic cassoulet, timbale of basmati rice
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Muckrach's own made Christmas pudding, brandy butter,
and a choice of cream or a pecan and butterscotch sauce
A selection of sorbets: limoncello, pear and cinnamon and kir royal,
tuille basket, meringue figures
Dark chocolate and orange, milk chocolate and Baileys mousse,
chocolate and raspberry tart, white chocolate ice cream
A selection of Scottish artisan cheeses, homemade walnut, hazelnut and plain oat cakes.
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Tea or Coffee and an assiette of Christmas cakes;
Mini Christmas pies, Stollen slice, baby Christmas log, Eccelfechan tart
After dinner, enjoy the fire in the lounge. Feel free to join in some parlour games,
board games or card games, all of which will be available.
Boxing Day
Enjoy a leisurely brunch from 9am to 12 noon. Relax with the papers, or a DVD in your room, or brave the elements. Many activities are available on the Rothiemurchus Estate a short drive away and we can book things for you in advance. Our indoor games will also be available for you if the weather is too awful. Dinner is a lighter meal than the previous two days, with healthy consommés, salads, terrines and vegetables. Our four courses will culminate with a whole Stilton, served with crisp celery as the perfect accompaniment.
December 27th
After a fine Muckrach breakfast, it'll be time sadly to re-enter the world outside of the festive oasis you have enjoyed. We would, of course, love to see you next year.
Accommodation in our small, bijoux bedrooms is £275 per person for 2 nights, £395 for 3 nights and £512 for four nights. Superior rooms available at an additional £25 per person per night. Suites and family suites also available. Discounts available for children 0 - 3 years 90% (includes cot) 3 - 10 50% and 10 - 14 25%