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The Inn at Lathones
By Largoward - St. Andrews
Fife, Scotland KY9 1JE

Scotland's Inn of the year 2005. Built Circa 1603, it makes the Inn the Oldest example of a Coaching Inn in the St Andrews area. It has been known for over 400 years for its service, and more recently has won many accolades for its food and wine list. It is to this day the Highest graded Inn in Scotland.

13 tog Duvets
Hungarian Goose Down Pillows
Bathrobes and face cloths
Tea and coffee tray
Broadband
Inn room entertainment system
CD Players in all rooms with 75 CD’s to choose from
In room safe
The best beds in the world!!

From the most subtle of the Smithy's to the elegance of The Grey Lady's, all our rooms are equipped with the modern traveler in mind. Top quality beds, courtesy tea/coffee tray, hair dryer, satellite T.V., direct dial telephones, radio and full computer access. Good lighting, work surfaces, mirrors all with well positioned power sockets.  Children up to the age of 12 can share the adults room at no extra cost or we may be able to offer a separate room at an attractive rate. (Subject to availability, ask for details).

The Inn at Lathones has been awarded 2 rosettes again for the fifth year!
Nick White was quoted as saying "I am delighted for the team at Lathones as this proves that consistency and drive they all have to maintaining and improving the quality of service and food we offer". Martin Avey , Executive Chef at the Inn Joined in January and has maintained and enhanced the already high standards Marc had set and is working on new and exciting menus whilst still using the wonderful fresh produce of the area. The Seafood platter we serve are just the best you will come across, as all the seafood is caught the same day as it lands on the table. The Ceasers Salad is the most amazing dish I have ever seen and started life in The USA in the worlds finest Restaurant “The French Laundry".

Golf & Leisure

Fore? - more!
With over 40 golf courses within the Kingdom of Fife, ranging from 9 to 18 hole championship standard, this surely is heaven to any golfer. The Inn stands on a hill centrally dominating the East Neuk, its history dates back to almost the beginning of golf itself. We can help with any itinerary, all you have to do is choose.

For those just starting out or having reached a stage in the game where you need some help or maybe you just fancy the idea of learning the natural Scottish swing, we offer a booking service with some of the finest professionals in the area.

Attractions
Aberdour Castle
14th century castle built by the Douglas family. The gallery on the 1st floor gives an idea of how it was furnished at the time. The castle has a delightful walled garden and dovecot.

Balmerino Abbey
Ruins of a Cistercian Monastery, founded in 1229. The grounds contain an ancient Spanish chestnut tree - one of the oldest in the country.

The British Golf Museum
The British Golf Museum traces the history of golf, in both Britain and abroad, from the middle ages through to the present day.

Cluny Clays
International clay pigeon shooting and archery centre offering the opportunity to watch or try all disciplines of both these sports.

Deep Sea World
Come face to face with Europe's largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks.

Fife Flying Club
Fife Airport comprises Fife Flying Club and the Tipsy Nipper Restaurant and bar.

Kircaldy Museum & Art Gallery
Set in lovely garden grounds, Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery features a superb collection of 19th - 21st Century Scottish paintings.

Fife Folk Museum
The Fife Folk Museum invites you to discover the history of everyday rural life in this area. Located in the small historic burgh of Ceres, this collection has been built up over more than thirty years.

Scottish Deer Center
Free roaming in 55 acres of beautiful countryside are 140 head of deer covering eight species.

Scottish Fisheries Museum
This national museum tells the story of the fishing industry from the earliest times to the present date.

St. Andrew's Castle
See the fascinating mine and counter-mine-rare examples of medieval siege techniques.

Trinity Church
Picturesque 200 year old village church in village setting retaining many original features.

History

St Andrews Oldest Coaching Inn

The history of the Inn goes back over 400 years. The Stables, being the oldest part, is today our bar where The Grey Lady (resident friendly ghost) and her horse reside. The front house was built in the late 17th century and is watched over by a wedding stone placed above the fire place as its lintel. The couple married in the local Kirk in 1718 and were blessed by the Minister in front of the fire before the festivities started. Iona Kirk and Ewan Lindsay ran the Inn ( then a Drovers Inn) from that day on until Iona's death in 1736. It's said that the two were so in love that when Iona died the wedding stone cracked and Ewan died shortly afterwards of unknown causes. I have often wondered since this story was told to me if the Grey Lady is in fact Iona putting her horse away?
The area between St Andrews and Lundin Links was plagued by a highwayman known as "Wee Mad MacGregor" a colorful character who was under five foot and was disfigured on the one side of his body, making his face droop and he drooled from the corner of his mouth, who reputedly drank and ate at the Inn following his "outings".
In more recent times the Inn had its own golf course for the Miners of the area. Coal was mined from the area behind the Inn and across towards the village of Largoward. This went on for over 100 years and only stopped in the late 1920's when due to flooding in the mines it became unviable to carry on. In recent years the Inn has gone through major changes with a retired Sea Captain owning it from the 50's to the 70's and then an American couple who developed the Inn to its current size in the 80's . They then sold at the height of the property boom to a couple who called in the receivers after just one year. The Inn was then brought out of retirement by Mr. James Bell in the early 1990's who refurbished the insides and developed the business until his retirement in June 1997 due to ill health. So the story continues..... Nick & Jocelyn

Rates for 2011

Superior doubles starting from 155 GBP

Deluxe doubles starting from 206 GBP

Master doubles starting from 295 GBP

*Rates include VAT & full Scottish breakfast.

To see photos of the Inn at Lathones please click here.

To see a map of the area surrounding the Inn at Lathones please click here.

For more information or to schedule your stay please contact:
Small & Elegant Hotels, International
801 Monroe NW, Suite 104
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
TEL: (616) 844-6000 / FAX: (616) 844-6042
E-Mail: res@smallandeleganthotels.com

 

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