Prestonfield

With peacocks in the garden, kilt-wearing staff, fire-warmed sitting rooms and antiques at every turn, this 17th-century country house is an indulgent experience. ‘It hits all the senses,’ says a Guide insider. ‘The rich colours, the scent of flowers, walls crammed with art.’ Owned by James Thomson of The Witchery by the Castle, it sits in parkland below Arthur’s Seat ‘yet is only ten minutes from the bustle of Edinburgh’s Princes Street’. Glamorous interiors of brocade sofas, tapestries, art, curios and objets are set against deep-red and purple colours. ‘Rich and romantic’ bedrooms have bold-patterned wallpapers, velvet curtains, beds heaped with cushions – some four-posters require a footstool – rococo mirrors and marbled bathrooms. All spoil with robes, books, magazines, hair straighteners and ‘oh joy, Tunnock’s tea cakes!’ Laze over afternoon tea – on the terrace if warm – ‘staff instinctively know where to find you’, before dinner of Modern British dishes such as Angus feather blade en croûte or pan-fried sea bream with Parmesan risotto. Breakfast is ‘sheer delight’ from home-made scones to omelettes and the full Scottish.