A guide to unlocking Scotland’s centuries-old way of living
Coorie comes from an old Scots word meaning to nestle or snuggle. But in recent years, the idea of coorie has grown and morphed to describe a particularly meaningful and intentional way of life here in Scotland.
It means embracing the great outdoors come rain or shine. It means taking a step back from the hectic everyday and zooming in on the simple moments that matter most – coffee with friends, a bracing loch swim, the warmth of a hearth fire on a winter’s evening.
Coorie is an art; something to be practised and lived and felt, both in day-to-day life and during our rare holidays and escapes.
Luxury Scotland properties are no strangers to coorie. Let’s explore the most wonderful experiences you could enjoy this winter – and see if we can’t unlock a little coorie along the way.
Enjoy nature’s most spectacular show
Winter at The Torridon effortlessly embodies coorie – the epic outdoors on your doorstep, a roaring fire after the breathtaking cold, a sense of sustainable and mindful living that permeates every stay.
With three nights under the country's darkest skies, you can explore the cosmos with an expert-led Stargazing Experience, savour a bespoke whisky experience in the library, and take every sumptuous meal in either the 1887 restaurant or Bo & Muc brasserie.
Book some or all of this itinerary by contacting The Torridon directly at: info@thetorridon.com.
Swing by day, sip by night
Visit the luxurious and elegant country hotel, Greywalls, to discover coorie on the coast. The hotel’s Whisky & Tee Getaway starts with 18 holes at Gullane Golf Course No. 2 (set on East Lothian’s breathtaking shoreline) and is followed by a warming fireside dram in the Greywalls lounge and a three-course dinner at Chez Roux Restaurant – all before finally slumping, wonderfully, into a cosy cottage room bed. Visit Greywalls for more information.
New year, renewed you
Just outside Edinburgh Old Town, Prestonfield House invites you to experience its unique world of historical grandeur, contemporary luxury, and warm Scottish hospitality with its Just For January package. Expect complimentary champagne, a three-course table d’hote dinner in Rhubarb, and an overnight stay in your choice of room or suite.
With its private estate and roaming peacocks, Prestonfield House elevates the concept of Coorie with its unique blend of baroque elegance and countryside charm.
Lay your best plan this January
For a Burns Night like none you’ve seen before, venture south this January to Dumfries and Galloway’s only luxury boutique hotel – Knockinaam Lodge – for its Robert Burns and Birds of Prey Special Break. Following an intimate whisky tasting and seven-course dinner on Friday, your Saturday will involve a full Scottish breakfast, magnificent Birds of Prey Experience and a Rabbie Burns-inspired tasting menu. Nae bad.
Friday 24th and Saturday 25th January 2025 – mark your calendar.
Skye’s the limit
With its rich Scottish history, fabulous cuisine and breathtaking natural beauty, Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye is all coorie, all the time. And with a Low Season Offer making your third night’s stay free of charge, including breakfast and dinner, there’s every reason to make the voyage to Scotland’s most famous island this winter.
A soulful retreat
Escape it all this winter with a stay at Glencoe House. This highland mansion is as secluded as it is beautiful – a place to hunker down in magnificent comfort or a base for explorations, including skiing, across Scotland’s most famous glen. Whether you choose a stunning suite or two-storey Strathcona Lodge, every stay at Glencoe House offers the cosy comfort and gorgeous wilderness that defines coorie.
First published 13 December 2024. Information correct at time of going to press.
