This is a house in the country and in my opinion NOT a country house. Not run by Scottish people. The prices are way too high; for what was paying did NOT expect chipped crockery; Pressure in shower / water in tap can drops to a trickle, something that can be resolved; Table cover not changed all week despite paper table covers. When moved a place mat my fingers got covered with sticky gunk under place mat, that was just gross, especially when was just about to eat! Bathrroom sink not cleaned for days. Cleaned it myself in the end. Plastic tea stirrers (not even plastic spoons) Friendly enough family but that's just NOT enough particularly when paying top prices. Food was adequate. Not the best portions or variety. Underneath the pillow case covers, some pillows were REALLY dirty, covered in brown stains. Made me feel physically sick when I saw what I'd slept on! I could go on. Wished stayed at Lovat Arms, Fort August prices not that different and food excellent.

At first glance this place had everything going for it. Good location, off the beaten track, pleasant hosts and a good base for touring the highlands. Then you see the pool table in the guest lounge. Later you realise the bed is like a concrete slab and that there is precious little pressure in the shower when you want it. It's about now that you remember that the room rate is somewhat higher that the average for the area, but somehow the facilities you have on offer don't seem to match the price. On returning from a long walk on the second day you realise that the bed hasn't been made (just straightened) the room hasn't been vaccumed, the tea/coffee supplies in room haven't been repenished and the wet towels from the inadequate shower have not been replaced. Less than satisfactory considering (once again) the room rate. Interestingly, for a Scottish Country House, there is no porridge or Arbroath Smokie option at breakfast and, although there is an evening meal option at Auchterawe, the proprietor seemed to ahve no embarressment at all in telling us that the mjority of the menu was frozen produce, even though the prices were on a par with local restaurants. All in all the Auchterawe could be so much more than it is and, as such, it becomes little more than a big dissapointment. Auchterawe, if you're going to charge top rate and market yourself as a Scottish Country House, then you need to step up to the mark.

Beautiful location, made very welcome, shame about the quality of the room, towels, chipped crockery, not to mention the cheap breakfast and a fried egg that looked good but appeared to have been microwaved as the yolk was solid. To top it all we had a heard of elephants, at least thats what it sounded like, in the bedroom above us, don't know what they were doing all night, moving furniture? who knows! but we didn't sleep for the noise and creaking floor boards. Would class this accommodation in the £50- £60 range, not the £85 we paid. Didn't want to leave with a bad taste in our mouths and never easy to complain to the owners when they are running it, so left having paid sadly never to return.

The Hodson family made us feel very welcome-all extremely helpful and friendly without being intrusive. Our son loved being shown all the animals.
Food was excellent and service was very good.
Our room was comfortable with a spectacular view.