The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston joins The Great Inns of Britain and celebrates becoming the second Scottish member of this exclusive collection
Widely revered as one of the finest places to dine in Scotland, The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston is celebrating its latest accolade, becoming only the second Scottish property to join The Great Inns of Britain - a collection of stylish, historic properties, whereby membership is by invitation only. Situated just 30 minutes south of Edinburgh near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston brings The Great Inns of Britain total membership to 24.
Following extensive refurbishment in 2005, Vivienne and Patrick Bardoulet have finally realised their lifelong dream, to open their own hotel and restaurant. Within just two years it proved a hit, bagging a string of awards for outstanding hospitality and cuisine, which include: 3AA Rosettes, AA Restaurant of the Year (Scotland) 2007-2008, Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards Rising Star and an EatScotland Gold Award.
Housed within a former blacksmith’s smiddy, Bardoulet’s (Fine Dining) Restaurant and informal Bistro offer imaginative, seasonal menus that combine the best of local Scottish produce with French influences from Patrick’s homeland, to create dishes that blend traditional with modern, with a good helping of European flavours from his experiences of working in top-rated establishments across England, Ireland, Denmark and Cyprus.
Patrick and his team have hand-picked key suppliers to ensure diners can savour the freshest, locally sourced produce, with many ingredients travelling from just a few miles away. Edinburgh’s Campbells Prime Meat Ltd supplies the majority of the meat selection, while Kelso’s Burnside Farm Foods specialises in fresh poultry and game, sourced from their own and surrounding estates, while Fresh Local Produce in Glasgow ensures that salads, fruit and vegetables are grown no more than 50 mile radius. Sustainably sourced shellfish and seafood is delivered by M & J Seafood, while the finest artisan cheeses, charcuterie, olives, foie gras, caviar and Valrhona chocolate are sourced from a range of European gourmet specialists by Clarks Speciality Foods in nearby Midlothian.
The creative talents of Vivienne Bardoulet have transformed the village’s former Victorian Primary School into eight individually furnished bedrooms that offer the perfect retreat from a day of exploring the local countryside and towns of the Scottish Borders and nearby Edinburgh. Inspired by the couple’s former home in Ancrum, Vivienne has created a real ‘home from home’ with warm, cosy interiors and furnishings.
Perfectly placed for visitors to enjoy walking and cycling, The Horseshoe Inn’s location close to the River Tweed also offers the chance to enjoy a fishing break on one of the world’s greatest rivers. Through a partnership with the Tweed Guide, Scotland’s foremost guiding organization for fly fishing, you can try your hand at fishing for trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon, with expert knowledge and guidance – and all equipment provided.
Patrick Bardoulet says:
“It’s been great to finally realise our dream at The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston and we’ve had some fantastic support since we arrived; and while we’ve become well known within Scotland, I think that our membership to The Great Inns of Britain and the Historic Hotels of Europe will help to bring even more visitors into Eddleston and even Scotland.”
Welcoming the membership of The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston, Sir Thomas Ingilby, Chair and co-founder of the Great Inns of Britain, said:
“The Great Inns of Britain is delighted to welcome The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston, as it becomes only our second Scottish member in the collection, joining The Royal Hotel in Comrie, Perthshire. Each new member brings its own unique offer and characteristics, but all share the essential qualities of The Great Inns –historical charm, first class food and hospitality, coupled with excellent wines and real ales. And now, with The Great Inns elected as members of The Historic Hotels of Europe, I hope that The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston will be marked firmly on the European map.”
Membership of the Great Inns of Britain is by invitation only from the existing members. The collection of independently owned Inns was first established over twelve years ago by the late Paul Whittome, owner of The Hoste Arms at Burnham Market in Norfolk, and Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of The Boar’s Head in Ripley, North Yorkshire.
For more information contact The Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston, Nr Peebles, Scottish Borders, EH45 8QP. T: +44(0)1721 730225 E:
vivienne@horseshoeinn.co.uk W:
www.horseshoeinn.co.uk
For a brochure with details of the 24 Great Inns in the group call 01423 770152. Details also on
www.greatinns.co.uk For further information about the Historic Hotels of Europe visit
www.historichotelsofeurope.com