How do I contact the team at the Fife Arms?

You can reach our reception team on 01339 720200 or by emailing mail@thefifearms.com. For room reservations, you can call 01339 720215 or email reservations@thefifearms.com. Our team is always on hand to help with any questions, whether you’re planning a stay, arranging an experience, or simply want to find out more about what we offer.

How do I get to the Fife Arms - by car, train, or nearest airport?

The Fife Arms is located in the village of Braemar, within the Cairngorms National Park.

By car: Around 1.5 hours from Aberdeen and Dundee, and just under 2.5 hours from Edinburgh.

By train: The nearest stations are Aberdeen and Perth, with taxis and car hire available at both.

By air: The closest airport is Aberdeen International (approx. 1.5 hours’ drive). Edinburgh and Inverness airports are also within reach.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is available from 3:00pm on your arrival day. Check-out is by 11:00am. If you’d like to extend your stay, late check-out can be arranged subject to availability and may incur an hourly charge. We’re happy to store your luggage before check-in or after check-out.

Is early check-in or late check-out available?

We’ll do our best to accommodate early arrivals or late departures when possible. Please let us know in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can find our cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

Is the Fife Arms wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the hotel and its restaurants and bars are all wheelchair accessible.

There are also three accessible loos in the public areas, near The Clunie Dining Room, in the Flying Stag, and in the Brae Wing near Bertie’s Whisky Bar.

There is dedicated accessible parking across the road and the hotel porters are on hand to offer any assistance.

Are children allowed to stay at the Fife Arms?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome. Cots and extra beds can be arranged in certain rooms. Please note, guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Does the Fife Arms have a spa?

Yes. The Albamhor Treatment Room offers a selection of treatments inspired by the surrounding landscape. We recommend booking in advance.

Does the Fife Arms have a gym?

The Fife Arms has a state-of-the-art private PT Pod at the rear of the hotel, complete with weights and a screen for remote training sessions. Use is complimentary for hotel guests and the pod is booked in hourly slots. Visit the Wellness page to find out more.

Does the Fife Arms have a pool?

No, there is no swimming pool at the hotel.

What restaurants and bars are at the hotel?

The Clunie Dining Room: Refined Highland cuisine featuring seasonal local produce.

The Flying Stag: A lively public bar serving local ales and hearty favourites.

Elsa’s Bar: Cocktails in an Art Deco inspired setting.

Bertie’s Whisky Bar: A curated collection of over 500 whiskies.

The Cellar: An intimate wine cellar providing sommelier-led tastings.

Do I have to be a resident to eat and drink at the Fife Arms?

Non-residents are welcome to dine in our restaurants and bars. Advance booking is highly recommended, particularly for The Clunie Dining Room.

Is The Fife Arms open during Christmas, Hogmanay, Burns Night, St Andrew’s Day, and the Braemar Gathering?

Yes, and these are some of the most special times to visit. However, we’d recommend booking well in advance as rooms fill quickly.

Can I bring my dog to the Fife Arms?

Yes, dogs are part of the family and are very welcome at the Fife Arms. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can allocate a dog-friendly room.

How many dogs can I bring, and is there a charge?

You may bring up to two dogs per room. A charge of £30 per dog, per night applies, which includes a bed, bowl, and treats on arrival.

Are dogs allowed in all areas of the Fife Arms?

Dogs are welcome in selected bedrooms, the lobby, and the Flying Stag. However, they are not permitted in the drawing room, The Clunie Dining Room, Elsa’s Cocktail Bar, Bertie’s Whisky Bar, or the Albamhor Treatment Rooms.

Is there parking available at the Fife Arms?

There are a small number of spaces in front of the hotel; however, these are not owned by the hotel and cannot be guaranteed. Guests are welcome to unload luggage at the entrance before parking in one of the free village car parks, just a short walk away. Valet parking is also available upon request.

Does the Fife Arms provide transport or transfers?

Yes. Private transfers to and from airports, train stations, or nearby destinations can be arranged by our team.

How do I get to the Fife Arms in winter?

The roads to Braemar are generally well maintained, but we recommend checking weather forecasts in snowy conditions and allowing extra travel time.

Is there electric car charging at the Fife Arms?

Yes, we have two electric vehicle charging points.

What types of rooms and suites are available at the Fife Arms?

The Fife Arms offers a range of 47 rooms and suites. Each is uniquely designed, from Croft rooms inspired by Highland life to Nature & Poetry rooms, the one-of-a-kind Artist’s Studio and Secret Room, and grand Royal and Victoriana suites celebrating Scottish heritage.

Are accessible rooms available for guests with reduced mobility?

Yes, we have accessible rooms designed for guests with limited mobility. Please mention any access requirements when booking so we can allocate a suitable room.

Does the Fife Arms offer room service?

Yes, room service is available for breakfast, light bites, and evening dining during restaurant hours.

Is breakfast included in the room rate?

Breakfast is included in the room rate unless otherwise stated.

Do you need to be a guest of the Fife Arms to dine at The Clunie?

No, you do not need to be a guest at the Fife Arms to dine in The Clunie Dining Room. Non-residents are more than welcome in any of our restaurants and bars.

Does The Clunie accommodate for those with dietary requirements?

Yes. Our chefs are happy to accommodate dietary needs with advance notice. Please inform us when booking.

What is the booking policy for larger groups or private dining?

For larger group reservations or private dining enquiries, please contact a member of our team directly on 01339 720200 or by emailing mail@thefifearms.com and we’ll be happy to help.

Is The Clunie a formal dining experience that I need to dress up for?

Not at all, The Clunie is a relaxed and welcoming place where you can feel completely at ease. Come as you are, whether that’s straight from a walk in the hills or dressed up for a special occasion. What matters most to us is that you enjoy yourself.

What style of cooking does The Clunie use, and what makes it different from other fine dining restaurants in Scotland?

The kitchen specialises in open-fire cooking, crafting dishes that celebrate local, fresh, and seasonal Scottish ingredients, giving the food a distinctive smoky depth and character. The experience goes beyond the food too – the dining room has been transformed by Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca’s large-scale mural, making it as much a cultural experience as a culinary one.

Where does The Clunie source its ingredients, and how does this change with the seasons?

The Clunie sources the finest Scottish produce from local suppliers, gamekeepers, and farmers. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that dishes always reflect what is freshest and most readily available.

Is there a children's menu available at The Clunie?

Yes, The Clunie offers a children’s menu, ensuring families with younger guests are well catered for.

What is the Art Afternoon Tea, and how does it work?

The Art Afternoon Tea is a combined guided art tour and afternoon tea experience, where guests are personally shown around the highlights of the Fife Arms’ extraordinary art collection in the company of a knowledgeable member of staff, before sitting down for afternoon tea.

Who designed the interior of The Clunie Dining Room, and what is the story behind the wall mural?

The interior of The Clunie Dining Room was designed by Russell Sage Studio. One of its most striking features is a large-scale wall mural by Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca, painted in his distinctive cubistoid style. Drawing inspiration from the Clunie River, which runs alongside the restaurant, the mural grows noticeably more fluid closest to the water’s edge, its rhythms and patterns carrying echoes of the flow below. As the light changes throughout the day, forms and colours shift to evoke the river’s coursing waters, the rocks beneath the surface, and the colours of the Highland landscape beyond.

Is The Flying Stag open to non-residents, and do you need to book a table?

No, you do not need to be a guest at the Fife Arms to dine in The Flying Stag. Non-residents are more than welcome in any of our restaurants and bars. While we do welcome walk-ins, a reservation is recommended to garauntee you a table, especially at weekends and on special occasions.

Does The Flying Stag accommodate for those with dietary requirements?

Yes. Our chefs are happy to accommodate dietary needs with advance notice. Please inform us when booking.

What makes The Flying Stag different from a standard hotel pub?

The Flying Stag is home to some remarkable art, including a painting by James Prosek depicting the eponymous Flying Stag – a hybrid of ptarmigan and stag – whose taxidermy likeness is suspended above the bar. Lining the walls are also Gideon Summerfield’s ‘Characters of Braemar’, a series of commissioned drawings of local people, alongside black and white photographs of Braemar life by local photographer, Steven Rennie. The art gives the pub a genuine sense of place, matched by an atmosphere where locals and visitors mix freely over live folk music, hearty Scottish food and local beers and whiskies.

What is the story behind the name and the artwork in The Flying Stag?

The bar takes its name from the eponymous Flying Stag – a unique hybrid animal brought to life by renowned artist James Prosek, whose painting of the creature features in the bar. A union of two iconic residents of the local landscape, the Flying Stag combines the wings of a ptarmigan, a bird that inhabits the highest peaks of the Cairngorms, with the body of a stag, commonly found in the forested Dee Valley below. Known for his paintings of extraordinary hybrid animals, Prosek’s creation has since taken on a life of its own – including as a striking taxidermy piece suspended above the bar itself.

Are dogs welcome in The Flying Stag?

Yes, dogs are more than welcome to join you in The Flying Stag.

Is there a children's menu at The Flying Stag?

Yes, The Flying Stag offers a children’s menu, ensuring families with younger guests are well catered for.

At what times does The Flying Stag serve food?

The Flying Stag serves lunch daily from 12pm–3pm and dinner from 5pm–9pm. The bar is open from 12pm–11pm, so you’re welcome to pop in for a drink outside of kitchen hours too.

What Scottish dishes and drinks are on the menu at The Flying Stag?

The Flying Stag menu is rooted in local, Scottish produce, serving hearty classics that feel right at home in the heart of the Cairngorms. Expect traditional favourites such as haggis, neeps and tatties, fish and chips, pies, and Sunday roasts, alongside seasonal salads and curries. To drink, we pour a great selection of local beers and Scottish whiskies and spirits..

Is there a Sunday roast at The Flying Stag, and how does it differ from The Clunie's Sunday Lunch?

Yes, The Flying Stag serves a Sunday roast alongside its regular pub menu, so you can enjoy a classic roast or opt for something else entirely. For a more structured Sunday dining experience, The Clunie offers a dedicated Sunday Lunch menu with the option of two or three courses at a set price.

What live music can you expect at The Flying Stag, and do you need to book to attend?

Every Wednesday and Friday evening, The Flying Stag comes alive with live performances by local folk musicians from 7:30pm–9pm. Performing guitar, fiddle and voice in both traditional and contemporary Scottish styles, they provide the perfect soundtrack to a meal, a drink, or a game of cards by the fire. No need to book specifically for the music, though we’d always recommend reserving a table in advance to make sure you have a spot for the evening.

What activities and experiences can be booked with the Fife Arms?

From art tours and whisky tastings to fishing, hiking, and local storytelling, our team can help you plan experiences that capture the spirit of the Highlands.

Can I book the Fife Arms for a wedding or private event?

Yes. The Fife Arms hosts weddings, private dinners, and exclusive-use events. Our Events Team would be delighted to assist with planning. View the Private Events page for more information.

Can I join the daily art tour?

Yes, complimentary art tours are available for hotel guests at 4pm each day and can be booked at Reception.

How much notice will I need to book activities?

We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance, as many experiences are led by local experts.

What if it rains during my activity?

We’ll do our best to adapt your plans, whether that’s rescheduling or moving indoors where possible.

What facilities does Braemar have?

Braemar offers local shops, cafés, and galleries, along with a butcher, grocer, and post office.

Where is the nearest city to Braemar?

The nearest city is Aberdeen, approximately 58 miles (1.5 hours) away.

How far is the Fife Arms from the Cairngorms National Park?

The hotel sits within the Cairngorms National Park – surrounded by mountains, forests, and glens.

How far is the Fife Arms from Balmoral Castle?

Balmoral Castle is just a 15-minute drive from the Fife Arms, making it a wonderful and easy day out.