The Craigie Hotel, originally Craigie House owned by zoologist James Cossar Ewart, is the ideal place for experiencing and enjoying both Edinburgh and the surrounding Pentlands. Located in the heart of Penicuik, its buckets of rustic Scottish charm and delicious afternoon tea menu make it a fantastic ending to a day spent either shopping or roaming through the countryside.
The Craigie Hotel boasts a truly excellent venue. First built as a countryside home in 1885, the building was then converted to a hotel following the death of its owner in 1933 and remained that way until the most recent refurbishment, a £2.3 million project completed in 2017. Here you’ll find an expansive secluded beer garden ideal for the warmer weather, and a cosy dining room with stunning wood panelling features and chairs and banquettes following a rich colour palette of oak and wine. Keep your eyes peeled for pictures of former resident James Cossar Ewart with the zebras that aided in his research.
Available 7 days a week between noon and 5pm, the afternoon tea menu showcases the best of Scottish produce. The Craigie places a huge emphasis on local brands and produce, and have sourced the tastiest ingredients possible to create this menu. Diners are presented with a selection of three finger sandwiches (smoked salmon and cream cheese, smoked applewood cheddar and Arran tomato chutney, and coronation chicken) before moving onto mini sausage rolls, available in pork, apple and thyme, and brie and spinach. Things then get a little sweeter, with homemade scones with jam and clotted cream, before topping the whole thing off with a selection of cakes and sweet treats.
It’s easy to see why afternoon tea at The Craigie Hotel is such a popular affair. Be sure to book 24 hours in advance in order to secure your place!