Welcome to Durn House ...
... the Country House Experience!
Durn House is not your usual B & B but is an elegant grade B listed 18th century Georgian Mansion House offering high quality accommodation along the Banffshire Coast, North East Scotland ... Scotland's Dolphin Coast.
Steeped in history, Durn House has retained many of its original features with huge open fires, superb plasterwork, magnificent stone spiral staircase and very large rooms. Previously owned by the Dunbar family, Durn House has many important historical links including the Battle of Culloden, as well as being home to the famous Scottish Astronomer James Ferguson.
Durn House offers a unique opportunity to relax in an intimate country house where you can be assured of a warm welcome, excellent food and a stunning location. Each guest bedroom is unique in style and has been named with a previous occupant or owner in mind such as the 'Dunbar Suite'.
Set in its own grounds on a quiet country road, by a small stream, Durn House is within easy strolling distance of Portsoy Village, an historic Scottish Fishing Village with its famous 17th Century harbour and coastal views. Durn House provides an ideal location to relax and spend time visiting many local attractions as well as exploring neighbouring favourites including whisky and castle trails, local wildlife, mountains and superb scenery. See our special breaks and packages for quality with value in mind.
Durn house also provides the ideal setting for private functions, including weddings, where the emphasis is on elegance and intimacy.
Durn House is an exclusive, privately owned Georgian Mansion House which oozes elegance and comfort with a country house feel. Durn House has large gardens, plus a new large flood-lit stone patio area which provides a great outdoor entertaining space. With fabulous interior decoration, a large elegant spiral staircase, large open fires, and fabulous overnight accommodation, Durn House provides an exclusive venue for your special day.
Here at Durn House we specialise in 'Artisan' catering, sourcing all our ingredience from small local quality suppliers where possible. Our chef can design a suitable catering package for your special day, be it a full sit down wedding breakfast or an elegant buffet.
Durn House has a calm sophisticated country house style with private elegance thrown in for good measure. With total private use, Durn House provides a very intimate and private place to start a new beginning with close family & friends.
We do have standard wedding packages available on request, however, we can build a full package to suit your needs and budget if required.
Contact us for further details or to arrange an appointment to discuss your requirements.
Tel: 01261 843424 or email durnhouse_aol.com
Welcome to our Accommodation Album
Please click on the right hand bottom corner to
view each of our beautiful guest rooms
Welcome to Durn House
In addition to the use of our elegant drawing room, cosy guest lounge, and our fabulous 'Gentlemen's Club' room, guests can choose from several individualy designed luxurious bedrooms and suites, which are all located on the second and third floors, and all overlooking Durn House gardens, providing comfortable and peaceful accommodation.
All of our bedrooms are individually styled and furnished with fine bed linen, antique furniture, and co-ordinated fabrics.
Guests can choose which available suite they would like to stay in on arrival if no preference is made on reservation. All suites have either a kingsize, superking or an emperor size bed.
Each guest suite has a flat screen TV with DVD player, hair dryer,free toiletries, luxury goose down duvet, fluffy designer towels, bathrobes and a welcome tray .
Durn House provides ample private parking within the grounds. Free wi-fi, safe storage facilties for golf clubs, fishing equipment etc. plus laundry and drying facilities.
We have two bicycles available for daily hire, free for guests staying at Durn House
Dunbar provides exceptional accommodation, with a huge vaulted and exposed beamed ceiling, a super-king size bed made up with with crisp bed linen, a flat screen TV with free-view and DVD player, luxury towels, hair dryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
This spacious suite leads, via double doors, to a huge luxury en-suite spa style bathroom complete with polished slate flooring, a mosaic slate wall, exposed beams, large double end roll top bath and separate frosted glass walk in shower with large drench shower.
Located on the executive floor, there is also access to a private guest lounge with large flat screen TV & DVD, with access to a comprehensive DVD library, reading books, magazines and games ....plus complimentary whisky.
.....gracious luxury
The Ferguson Suite is named after the famous Scottish Astronomer who lived at Durn House in 1620.
Pretty en-suite room with king-size bed, crisp bed linen, flat screen TV with free-view and DVD, luxury towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
The large modern bathroom has a full size bath with traditional shower cradle & taps, separate twin-size shower enclosure complete with power shower.
Located on the executive floor, there is also access to a private guest lounge with large flat screen TV & DVD, with access to a comprehensive DVD library, reading books, magazines and games, plus complimentary whisky.
....simply relaxation!
The Sutherland Suite is so named after the Liberal MP who lived at Durn House in the 19th Century.
A cosy rustic French style room in rusts, golds and cream with a high vaulted ceiling, revealing some of the original structure of the house. A huge Emperor size bed dominates the room, made up with crisp white bed linen and co-ordinated fabrics, flat screen TV with free-view and DVD, luxury towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
Access to a stunning black and white 'boudoir' style private bathroom with a full size bath, separate twin-size shower enclosure with overhead drench plus a hand shower.
Located on the executive floor, there is also access to a private guest lounge with large flat screen TV & DVD, plus a comprehensive DVD library, reading books, magazines and games ....plus complimentary whisky.
....the best sleep ever!
The Culloden Suite is named after the famous battle to which Durn House has strong historical links.
Furnished with co-ordinated traditional fabrics, Culloden is a bright and spacious bedroom with a stunning 6ft Castle Super-King size bed, flat screen TV with free-view and DVD, luxury towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
The large ensuite shower bathroom continues with the bright feel and is furnished with traditional fixtures and fittings to complement the theme.
Culloden overlooks the garden with lovely views of woodland.
....peaceful
The Tartan Room is so called due to the fabulous long tartan curtains and co-ordinated fabrics found in this bedroom, which is very spacious.
Large bright traditional room, with a sea faring theme, with a huge 7ft Emperor bed with co-ordinating tartan furnishings, a flat screen TV with free-view and DVD, luxury towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
Access to private shower room with power shower.
Complete with antique furniture and a great seating area to relax and sip your tea!
....sophisticated
The Silk room is huge!
Guests are amazed with this unusual bow shaped room with three huge original sash windows, each adorned with embroidered silk....hence ...The Silk Room.
A very large twin room co-ordinated in an eau de nil and red colour way, two antique French double beds sit along one wall, plus there is a flat screen TV with free-view and DVD, luxury towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities plus free toiletries.
Large seating area with writing desk.
Traditional sink in room plus access to huge traditional luxury bathroom with deep bath and shower over.
....takes the breath away!
The Durn Suite is simple luxury.
Huge bright bedroom with woodland views to the front of the house via triple sash windows, Super-King size four poster bed complete with crisp fine bed-linen and bolster pillows. The spectacular Durn Suite also has a seating area with armchairs, 42 inch plasma TV. Also supplied are luxury fluffy towels, hairdryer, bathrobes, welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities, plus free toiletries.
An interconnecting door leads to a huge traditional style en-suite bathroom with a large free standing slipper bath dominating the centre of the room. Overlooking Durn gardens, guests can bathe with views. There is also a large separate shower cubicle, with power shower
The bathroom also has an original Portsoy Marble Georgian open fire. Guests can enjoy a fabulous bathing experience with a real fire. Durn Suite is Ideal as a honeymoon suite, or for a special occasion.
............pure indulgence
Durn House reception rooms can also be hired for daytime and evening events, with or without accommodation.
Contact us for further details
email: durnhouse_aol.com
Breakfasts
Breakfast at Durn House is a special event. Taken in the magnificent long dining room with an open fire in the winter months, guests can indulge themselves in local produce and home-made preserves to get the day off to a good start.
...Mains
Venison Sausages in a Red Wine and Redcurrant Sauce
Scottish Salmon with Parma Wrap
Smoked Paprika Chicken
Durn Orange Stew & Herb Dumplings
Vegetable Goulash with Spinach Buttered Noodles
Evening Dining
Here at Durn House we believe in flavoursome home cooking so evening meals at Durn house are something of a treat! We only use local produce where possible and guests are welcome to dine with us when booked in advance. We change our menu's regularly and can cater for most dietary needs.
Please note it is essential to pre-book dinner at least 24 hours in advance. Ideally let us know if you would like to dine with us at time of reservation. Evening meals are available for residents and their guests. The dining room is also available for private functions.
Relax over a leisurely breakfast at a time to suite you. Our breakfasts are freshly cooked to order using home made and local produce where possible. Enjoy local delicious free-range eggs, homemade bread and preserves - all favourites of our guests.
Sample Breakfast Menu
Fresh Juices
Cereals plus home blended Museli and Granola
Various Home Bakes
Home Baked Bread, Toast and Preserves
Fresh Fruit Platter
Mixed Fruit and Plain Yoghurt
Full Scottish Breakfast
Boiled Eggs and Toasties
Local Haddock Kedgeree
Portsoy Smoked Kippers
Traditional Porridge
...Desserts
Home Made Cherry or Apple Pie
Portsoy Ice cream with Home Made Lime Syrup & Mixed Nuts
Home Made Warm Ginger Square & Walnuts
Scottish Strawberries soaked in whisky & honey
Fresh Fruit Salad
Sample Evening Dining Menu
...to Start
Local Salmon Mousse & Oatcakes
Dressed Banffshire Crab
Roe Deer Pate & Toasties
Home- Made Leek & Potato Soup
Warm Pigeon Breast Salad with
Beetroot & Horseradish Cream
Wildlife
Banffshire Coast Dolphins - See the BBC Springwatch team filming the Moray Dolphins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9eINfk0gu4
Along the Coast there is an abundance of wildlife to see
* Take a trip to Troup Head where you will see the RSPBGannet colony plus loads of other sea birds.
* See the seals basking at Portgordon
* Take a trip to the RSPB Osprey Centre
* Go on a boat trip or just get your spyglasses out and spot
the famous Moray Dolphins or a Minke Whale
* Visit the WDCS Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay
Castle Trail
Referred to as Castle Country, the historic Northeast of Scotland is home to around a thousand castles or castle ruins, providing a wealth of history to explore. Each castle has a unique story to tell, so let your mind wander back through the ages or get lost in the beautiful walled gardens where you may discover a traditional tea room serving delicious home baking.
Whisky Trail
Follow the world famous Malt Whisky Trail through the picturesque countryside of Speyside to seven working distilleries, including a fascinating cooperage and a historic distillery. Come for a weekend in May, or in September for the whisky festivals, when distilleries, whisky shops, pubs and villages welcome visitors with drams, nosings, ceilidhs and other parties.
Golf
There are numerous golf courses within a short distance of Durn House including two 'Royal' courses: Royal Tarlair and Duff House Royal. We can arrange packages from £199 per person on a daily dinner, bed & breakfast basis including 1 round of golf at a course of your choice. Call or email us for details.
Portsoy's Traditional Boat Festival
A real family affair providing entertainment for everyone. Launched in 1993, it excites tastes, style, heritage and authenticity and this community project raises the bar year after year. See their website www.scottishtraditionalboatfestival.org.uk and stay at Durn House for a fantastic weekend of events. The festival is held at the end of June or beginning of July each year. The 2012 festival will be 23rd/24th June,
Annual Speyfest Weekend - July each year
Concerts, ceilidhs and stomps. Free to enter Craft fair and Festival Clubs. Some of the biggest names from the world of traditional and contemporary Celtic music. International guests bringing a touch of bluegrass and American roots. All in the beautiful village of Fochabers on the banks of the River Spey.
Special Offer
Valentines Break
Includes:
Dinner Bed & Breakfast
Flowers, Chocolates & Champagne in room on arrival
1 night £150
2nights £250
Available from:
10th - 19th February
Based on two people sharing a double room
10% discount when staying three nights, or more, in a luxury en-suite room on Bed & Breakfast basis
Gift Voucher
1 Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
£99 per couple
2 Night Dinner Bed & Breakfast
£198 per couple
Can be redeemed anytime January - March 2012
A Great, Birthday or any kind of Special Gift
(Subject to availability & excludes some dates)
Spring Special Offer
BOOK NOW
Choose Your Dates
March - May 2012
2 night Classic Car Break for two
Includes
Two nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast
Luxury double en-suite room
Three course Dinner on both nights
1 day Classic MG Car Hire
Only £399
Gift Voucher Available
(based on two people sharing a double room)
(Subject to availability)
Special Offer Reservations
email: us _ Durn House
Click Here
We can also offer self-catering breaks via our sister site:
From an old smugglers house to a cosy out of the way cottage by the sea.
Go on take a break!
Click on the button and take a look!
01261 843424
07709342029
Durn House
Durn Road
Portsoy
Aberdeenshire
AB45 2XT
durnhouse_aol.com
To see availability and tarriffs, please click on the calandar and select the room type that you are looking for. If we appear to be full, please email us at: durnhouse_aol.com we may still be able to help.
For special breaks or special offers, contact us direct via email: durnhouse_aol.com or just click on our contacts page to get in touch.
Please do not hesitate to let us know if we can help in any way.
