Love, love me do: Roman Camp Country Manor Hotel (From The Northern Echo)

Love, love me do: Roman Camp Country Manor Hotel

6:28pm Monday 3rd October 2011 in Reviews

The Roman Camp Country House Hotel in Perthshire boasts a star-studded roster of former guests. NIGEL BURTON follows in famous footsteps...

HOW many people can say they have shared a hotel room with The Beatles? I can, although to be strictly accurate, the famous Sixties super-group weren't there at the same time.

But there's no doubt that they were guests and our room at the Roman Camp Country House Hotel was named the Star suite in honour of Richard Starkey MBE, who is better known by his stage name of Ringo Starr.

To prove it there is a photo of screaming crowds – virtually all the girls in Perthshire, and quite a few of the men by the look of it, who descended on the 20-acre gardens for a glimpse of the group - when they stayed at the hotel in the Sixties. Next to the photo there's a framed note of thanks signed by John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Is it the real thing I wondered? Well, the note hanging on the frame outside our suite is actually a copy – the real McCoy is kept under lock-and-key for obvious reasons (the last authentic Beatles autograph on eBay went for more than £3,000).

The Beatles spent two nights at the hotel in April 1964. They had just played to a packed ABC cinema, in Edinburgh, and, as they weren't at the height of their international popularity, they all shared the one suite.

Nevertheless, when news of their arrival spread, children from local schools poured out of their classrooms and stampeded down the hotel's private drive where they waited patiently outside for a word from their idols.

Several lucky villagers still have photos of the time when The Beatles came to town. Others missed out when the headmaster turned up and herded the would-be groupies back to school.

Although they only stayed at the hotel for a couple of nights, Roman Camp's restful atmosphere struck a chord with the group.

A relative of John Lennon's is a regular guest. During one stay he showed hotel staff a hand-written note from the group – which features hard-drawn cartoons of each Beatle together with instructions on how to find the hotel.

Neil Aspinall, the group's road manager chose Roman Camp in a vain bid to avoid the glare of publicity. The Beatles dubbed their peaceful retreat the “hideaway hotel” - and they were spot on.

Although Roman Camp is just off the high street in Callander, the tree-lined driveway leads to a wonderful 400-year-old Manor House surrounded on three sides by peaceful gardens and the serene River Leny on the fourth.

Roman Camp takes its name from the large mound of earthwork that's visible if you look across the meadow to the south of the gardens. This is believed to have been the work of the Romans who manned the fort at nearby Bocastle to the north of the town. The four-acre fort was occupied during the first century AD, being one of the fortifications built by the Romans to defend and preserve the land they had captured in the Scottish lowlands.

The hotel itself has been subject to various extensions and modifications but it retains an essential quirky quality, low ceilings, floors that rise steeply and a maze of little corridors, that makes it a fascinating place to stay.

It was originally a modest 17th Century manor house used by the Earl of Moray as a shooting lodge.

In 1897, it was acquired by Reginald Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher, who entertained many distinguished guests including Prime Ministers AJ Balfour and Ramsay MacDonald.

Lord Esher's son married Zena Dare, an English singer and actress who was the Cheryl Cole of her day. As a result, the house was a regular haunt for Thespians and entertainers looking to escape the hurly burly of London.

One such visitor was the writer JM Barrie, who wrote part of Peter Pan while staying as a guest, and has another of the hotel's suites named after him.

During this time, the house was extensively remodelled. As well as twin towers on the north and east sides, one containing a tiny stone chapel, Lord Esher added a wonderful library which retains all of its period charm today and is a fantastic place to retreat with a brandy after enjoying a meal in the restaurant. With its wooden carved floor-to-ceiling bookcases, oak wooden panelling and authentic period detail, the library is straight out of an Agatha Christie murder mystery as is the neighbouring drawing room which has an impressive fireplace at its centre and a large bay window which looks out onto the gardens and the gently flowing stream beyond.

Roman Camp was redeveloped as a hotel in 1939 and has held a reputation as one of Scotland's finest country house retreats ever since – not least for the quality of the food served in the circular restaurant.

Only last month, it was awarded three AA Rosettes in the prestigious national AA Hospitality Awards – the 14th consecutive year it has been recognised for its fine dining.

Head chef Ian McNaught, who has worked at the hotel for more than 12 years and is a Master Chef of Great Britain, describes his style as modern Scottish cuisine with a French influence.

As far as is possible, all the ingredients are sourced locally and guests can choose from a la carte, five-course tasting or vegetarian menus.

Relaxing in the Star Suite, it was hard to believe we were following in the footsteps of The Beatles but, such was the size of the rooms, it was easy to see how all four rock stars could stay in the same suite. If you have kids, a maid will slip into the suite while you're out and open up a sofa bed so the younger guests can sleep in the main room – leaving mum and dad to the generous four-poster in the bedroom.

The hotel is also a favourite venue for honeymooners and as a location for wedding shoots.

After a relaxing couple of days it wasn't hard to see why it's still a favourite venue for musicians, entertainers and actors.

As well as the Fab Four, other famous names to have stayed at the hotel include Dame Diana Rigg, Michael Palin (who was a guest, along with several other cast members, during the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and, more recently, Rebus-actor Ken Stott.

Roman Camp offers all the glamour and none of the clamour – the perfect place for a peaceful break. Just keep your hands off the framed autographs.

Room rates: Single bed and breakfast per night: £95 Standard bed and breakfast: £150 Superior bed and breakfast: £195 Suite bed and breakfast: £225 Dinner menu (set five courses): £49 A la Carte menu: £55 average For details of special offers and late bookings call 01877-330003 or email via the website romancamphotel.co.uk