30 July 2012 - Bridge of Earn

G again.

28 July we stayed at Mansfield Castle Hotel. Stephen had booked this before leaving NZ, thinking I would be due a wee bit of luxury after travelling for 3 days over one way roads in the extreme north of Scotland. We found the hotel in Tain without too much difficulty – from the gate way it was imposing with 16^th and 17^th century architecture.

As we drove up the sweeping drive we encountered the pot holes that are a feature of all Scottish roads, be they lowlands or highlands, main roads or one way roads. We chuckled and came to a halt in a weedy court yard – nothing daunted, we leapt from our car and up the steps to the entry.

I noticed a pot valiantly growing a couple of small polyanthus alongside a sizeable prickle and beside the imposing doorways a tub of healthy grass!

And so began our Fawlty Towers type experience.

This facility has all the elegance of a bygone age with fascinating features to attract guests. However distant glimmers do not always mean you have struck gold. I did something at the end of our stay I have never done before. I asked for a feed back form. The receptionist who was obviously of European origin had no idea what I meant – then began a translation exercise – I finally received 3 blank A4 pages. She must have worked out I had a lot to say!! True.

Below I have edited what I handed in , addressed to the management.

During our stay we noticed

• Upon entry to our room an over-powering aroma of air freshener. Having located the device we turned it off and the “smell” retreated.
• Upon needing more fresh air I tried to further open the sash window. I found it was resting upon a teacup. Removing the cup the window dropped onto my arm – bruising resulted. There is no way of properly using this window as it won't stay open with out the tea cup.
• Bathroom window also has a broken sash cord and couldn't stay open.
• We slept without ventilation that night.
• There is no room for a second bedside light.
• There is no table to use for reading or writing in the room.
• There was no hot water for shower in the evening or this morning. This despite there being a large bathroom with jacuzzi ( when Stephen tried to use this device despite tepid water the air vent wouldn't open!!! )
• While he was wrestling with the air vent Stephen saw the underside of soap dish over the bath has a build-up of grime and mould!!!
• The appearance of hotel over all is of “shabby elegance”. While the staircase is stunning fittings in the public areas and the antique furniture are immaculate the tartan carpet in the dining room is ill fitting around one edge of the dance area.This is a health and safety risk. As is the large split and jagged edge in the wooden seat of the park bench outside the entry.
• Tiny details these maybe but the following examples indicate a lack of care and attention which in turn reflects on management and staff concern for their guests.
  • on our way to our bedroom we noticed a rent in the lace curtains covering one of the windows in the hall way.
  • The paper on the walls of our bedroom was peeling in places.
  • 2 missing candles from the 6 stem candelabra in the entrance hall
  • When my husband first arrived the receptionist “got lost” taking him to our room
  • Help with our luggage would have been welcome as there is no lift .
  • Towels in the bedroom are well worn and beds covered with air cell blankets – these were a favourite in the 19700s.

Finally the food

• Dinner was adequate, typical of pub-style fare.
• A digestive gap between courses would have been welcome.
• As dining is a la carte advice at the time the menu is offered of availability of dishes is preferable to leaving guests to make their selection then announcing that dishes were finished when orders were being taken.

Breakfast

• Breakfast was from 7.30 – 9.30 am.We arrived just before 9:00. Finally at 9:15 we were asked if we wanted a hot drink. By that time it was evident that there was only 1 dish of fruit left – prunes. The menu described 4 types of fruit.
• There were no croissants or rolls evident – both listed on the menu.I was advised they had finished. Would I like toast?When I said I would prefer a roll the waitress went to ask. No I was told. They had been busy and its the end of the week. They had run out.
• Toast it is. Stephen decided to have a continental style breakfast also. He couldn't face the inevitable “we have run out' We were served 2 pieces of sandwich sliced toast. When I asked it we could have another 2 slices the response was that only the heel of the loaf was available. I declined!

These are a few of the food fusses – I won't go on anymore – picture is pretty clear.

I concluded my rant this : Mansfield Castle and Hotel could offer a unique experience for guests while retaining its cost effective modus vivendi. As it stands currently I cannot recommend friends and acquaintances stay here.

We then travelled on and arrived here in Bridge of Earn on 29^th.

It is a hotel in a pub, south of Perth – we selected it as we are mid way between Arbroath Abbey, Dunfermline, Stirling and Scone. This is called The Last Cast and it is delightful fresh, clean, well appointed accommodation. No windows rattle in the wind, attention to detail is delightful – even a port-a-cot folded up in the wardrobe. I write at a table which folds away – no need to use public areas or the bed! Dinner 100 yards away at the local restaurant was delicious and beautifully presented – with a 25% discount on the bill due to staying at Last Cast. The bed, pillows and duvet all in as new condition - fresh, soft and sweet smelling, hot water on tap day and night, freshly cooked breakfast delivered soon after placing our order – sharp contrast with the tired Mansfield castle and for less than half the price.

Today it is back on the path of Robert The Bruce. Scone first where he was crowned by Isabel Mac Duff – who paid sorely for her endeavours, poor lady. Thence to Arbroath where the Declaration of Arbroath was written and sent to the Pope. A powerfully written document, believed to have been written by Bernard of Kilwinning – a protege of Bruce's and a man of acute acumen and political savvy.