Tag Archives: English Channel

Dakota Edinburgh

It’s ten years since we were last here. Back then we were staying here for our daughter’s wedding which was held at nearby Hopetoun House. This time we were just on our way to the airport to do a pick-up. From the outside Dakota Edinburgh looks like a rather austere black box but inside it’s opulent interior tells a completely different story.

Internal view of Dakota Hotel
the Bar/Grille

It’s the creation of Ken McCulloch and his wife, interior designer Amanda Rosa. In the past they have been responsible for such iconic places as One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, the Columbus Hotel in Monaco and the Malmaison hotel group.

A shaggy dog sculpture at Dakota Hotel
This  had us fooled for a minute. Just a life size ornament!

More recently they made the first  Dakota Deluxe Hotel in Glasgow and now there are three in Scotland and two in England. Why Dakota? The name was inspired by the revolution that took place after the first flight of the Dakota airliner between New York and Chicago in 1936. It provided sophisticated style and impeccable service at prices people could afford. That’s what this place is all about. But could they provide a half decent scone? That was the question on everyone’s lips. Okay, maybe not everyone!

It all kicked off beautifully when they came to explain that their scones were all made to order so it might take a wee while. No problem, we weren’t going anywhere and we had to get rid of a light lunch in the meantime. A scone at Dakota HotelWhen they did arrive it was all presented as you would expect at the Dakota. A little bowl of clotted cream, an individually wrapped pat of butter and a pot of jam for each scone.  But, of course, it’s all in the tasting. No disappointments here, they were delicious. Lovely and warm with that slightly crunchy exterior we are so fond of. No hesitation … topscone!

What would they give?

Sometimes on our scone adventures it makes us ponder on how fortunate we are. While we sit here in the lap of luxury there are fathers loading their families into tiny rubber boats to try and sail across the Channel. Families at the Belarus/Polish border that have travelled from the Middle East and Africa in search of a better life and are left freezing and hungry. Unable to go forwards or backwards. It’s hellish. By comparison we lead completely charmed lives. Do we feel guilty? Not personally but it’s hard to escape the fact that our wonderful Britain has usually played a major role in creating the misery from which these poor folks are trying to escape. What would they give for a scone at Dakota?Internal view of Dakota Hotel

Discretionary?

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Dakota Edinburgh even though it’s not exactly the cheapest … £13 for two coffees and two scones. The only downside came when a 10% ‘discretionary’ service charge was added to the bill. A candle at Dakota HotelPresumably because it’s ‘discretionary’ you can ask for it to be removed but how many people do that? There’s a note at the bottom of the bill saying it will be passed on to the staff. Is this an admission that they don’t pay the staff enough? The service we received was excellent but we would prefer they didn’t do it this way. Just saying! But then we remember, with our charmed lives, that we actually have absolutely nothing to complain about.

EH30 9QZ        tel: 0131 319 3690      Dakota Hotel

///lifts.kind.unlocking

Gordon House

Dornoch is a beautiful little town just north of Inverness. In her schooldays Pat used to come here on holiday. It is centered round the Cathedral which held its first service in 1239. However, recently it has become more famous for the christening of Madonna’s son Rocco in 2000. There is also a world class golf course (voted 5th best course outside the USA) and a fantastic blue flag beach. In many ways Dornoch has it all. However, the burning question is, can any of its many eateries  produce a decent scone?

Amongst all the antique shops and hotels there are lots of possibilities but we eventually chose Gordon House on the High Street close to the cathedral.Lots going on here as well because Gordon House combines a gift shop, art gallery and café. Great selection of delicious looking home baking but of course it had to be the scones for us.
After a poor start to the day the weather

Internal view at Gordon House in Dornoch
Cafe area behind the displays

had cleared up nicely so we sat outside and watched the good people of the town going about their business. The last witch to be burned to death in Scotland met her unfortunate end here in 1727. We were hoping the same fate had not been dished out to the scones.

Talking of witches, we hear that the Home Secretary thinks that the UK will face its worst constitutional crisis since Edward VIII abdicated if Scots get involved in democracy … and London has banned bagpipes!

Bonkers

The world truly has gone bonkers. A scone at Gordon House in Dornoch This snippet from NewsBiscuit kind of sums it up. “Meanwhile along the north coast of France coastguards and emergency services have been working round the clock to cope with boat loads of Daily Mail readers crossing the Channel in dangerously overcrowded makeshift vessels. ‘They come here seeking a better life and to get away from persecution,’ said François Berthand, manager of the Calais Detention Centre known locally as ‘Little England’. ‘They come here telling tales of being forced to eat Tunnocks tea-cakes, ceilidh dancing and longer-term deficit reduction strategies. Some weep uncontrollably and hug and kiss us. When they start being nice to the French, you know something must have really spooked them’”.

Lighting

No worries about burnt scones though, when they arrived they looked ‘proper’ and tasted really good. No cream but sometimes you just have to rough it. We also think that the artist exhibiting in the gallery was the self same artist who baked the scones. Now that’s talent. It is always nice to come across a place which is making a big effort to cater to a wide range of customers, and succeeding. Well done … but change that LED lighting. It may be efficient but it looks weird, you can get warmer ones!

IV25 3SH             tel: 01862 811737          Gordon House