new year breaks

Balbirnie House, as one of Scotland’s most historic and important grade A listed mansions, has hosted some wonderful festive celebrations over the last 231 years and this year will certainly be no exception.

The house is quite magnificent in December, with beautiful traditional Christmas trees, halls decked with bows of holly, lovely decorations, and trees outside covered in fairy lights.

Your stay can be as relaxing or active as the mood dictates - a leisurely stroll in the park, a morning’s golf, an afternoon’s drive to St. Andrews, or just browsing through the shelves of the Old Library, relaxing in front of the fires, with possibly the clink of a decanter of port….

Should you be feeling a little more energetic and wish to explore the area, or participate in some sporting activities during your stay, we would be delighted to suggest some alternatives.

ITINERARY

Our residents’ itinerary over New Year is also (in the main) a very relaxed affair.

30th DECEMBER

Upon arrival, settle into your room and then enjoy afternoon tea, served in The Drawing Room.
From 7.00pm onwards we will be serving pink Champagne and Canapés to our residents.
Dinner this evening will consist of our Feature Four Course Dinner in the Orangery, with choices of some of Balbirnie’s favourite ‘signature’ dishes from the last 12 months.

HOGMANAY

After breakfast, you may wish to take a stroll in the park to prepare an appetite for the remainder of the day!
We will be serving a light lunch today in The Long Gallery, consisting of soup, sandwiches and savouries.
Thereafter, you can look forward to a very relaxed afternoon, reading or playing Chess for example.
Just enjoy the day.

Tonight we have the ‘black tie and ball gown’ Grand Hogmanay Ball.
Champagne and canapés will be served at 7.00pm, with the meal itself commencing in The Ballroom at 7.30pm. The evening’s entertainment includes both a band and disco to ensure the music carries on into the night. Our in-house band, ‘Callanish’, play a super mixture of both traditional Scottish ceilidh music and also some modern popular music.

A glass of champagne and Balbirnie’s piper welcome the New Year in at midnight, and dancing continues until 2.00am, at which time, for those feeling peckish, pies are served in The Long Gallery.
We usually have about 160 guests attending The Ball and seating is on tables of twelve, with our residents usually sitting together.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

New Year’s Day is again a leisurely affair, with a delicious Brunch being served in the Orangery from 9.30am till 1.30pm. Today provides the opportunity for guests to have an afternoon out, perhaps to the East Neuk or St Andrews. For those who are a little more adventurous why not join in on the traditional Balbirnie Treasure Hunt and possibly win a Magnum of Champagne! Dinner this evening will consist of 5 Courses of ‘Classic Scotland’.

On the 2nd January guests depart after breakfast.

• 3oth December
  
• Hogmanay (In-house residents and Hogmanay Ball guests only)
  
• New Year’s Day

Three day stay – from £585.00 per person. Price is based on dinner (including the Grand Hogmanay Ball), bed and breakfast, with two people sharing a standard double/twin room.

Deluxe accommodation is available at a supplement of £30.00 per person per night.
Should you wish to stay an extra night, this will be priced from £99.50 per person, based on half board.

For further information or a quotation, please telephone our Special Events organiser (aka ‘Santa’s helper’) or email: reservations@balbirnie.co.uk             

Please note* On the above dates Balbirnie House is reserved for the private use of in-house residents.