Greywalls luxury

Jul 23 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

STEP into Greywalls and you step back in time.

Designed by celebrated Edwardian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for Cabinet politician Sir Alfred Lyttleton, the 23-bedroom hotel remains true to its roots and today still preserves an aura of a bygone era, albeit with modern comforts and service.

Leather books abound in the library, the tiered afternoon tea is a veritable feast and as you sink back into a comfy sofa, golfers can be spied going about their business on the nearby Muirfield links.

Charming owner and mine-host Giles Weaver provided us with a fascinating potted history, explaining the rattlebags stone was hewn from a local quarry, with celebrated architect Robert Lorimer having a hand in an extension which added to the original nine bedrooms.

He’s not for telling tales, but it’s rumoured that Edward VII used it as a bolthole when his shenanigans were getting out of hand.

Giles was brought up at the house bought as a holiday home with Horlicks wealth.

“My great grandfather, a chemist, made his fortune from the malted drink. In 1890 the biggest factory in the world was in Racine, Wisconsin,” said Giles.

“It has enjoyed quite a history. It was the Drem station during the last war and held some wild parties.

“The architect once told my mother it was the favourite of all his designs, but he would, wouldn’t he?”

Giles’ parents set-up the hotel in 1948 and he recalled that first dinner came in at one shilling and three pence.

“It was three courses, one was bread and better – and not much butter! And guests needed ration cards. Takings on the first day were one pound and 10s.”

Personal touches abound and far-travelled Giles indicated the garden sundial charting his travels from Muckle Flugga and Gigha to the Cape of Good Hope 6350 distant and Teirra del Fuego 8490 miles away from the East Lothian seashore, where celebrated golf courses abound.

And if you get the chance, make sure your garden tour takes in the tortoises. One of “The Torts,” as the family know them affectionately, was won at a Gullane Fair, way back in 1927!