'Most beautiful' Scottish hotel with award-winning restaurant reopens under new management after shock closure

A Highland hotel and restaurant that has been described as Scotland’s ‘most beautiful’ has reopened under new management.

Boath House, which was originally closed down in January, is situated just outside the seaside village of Nairn.

The venue had previously been under the ownership of Cabin Studio - the team behind London’s Sessions Arts Club - since 2022. The hotel restaurant, the Dining Room, had been given a nod from Michelin Guide in late 2023 and the Garden Cafe was popular with guests, locals and families.

The shock closure of what was once described as “the most beautiful Regency House in Scotland” was confirmed on January 23, with Begbies Traynor Group having been appointed as liquidators of the company due to its “financial position”.

Boath House is near Nairn | Liam Black

Now fans of the art-filled property with its stunning grounds will be pleased to know the restaurant has reopened under a new management group of four couples, and with a new head chef.

The venue’s team has said the aim now is to better involve the local Nairn community and work closely with owners Steven and Lorna Mayne. The Garden Cafe is open Wednesdays to Sunday from 10am-4pm, with a new farm shop, and the new dining room restaurant, named Moines and led by head chef Iain Nicholson, will open this summer.

Posting about the reopening, the team wrote: “Boath House opens a new chapter in March 2025, led by a fresh, in-house management group. We’re excited to bring new energy to this timeless Highland retreat, creating a place of warmth and connection.

“We're thoughtfully reimagining every aspect of the Boath House experience with our community at heart, creating a sanctuary where both neighbours and those visiting this incredible corner of the world can gather, connect and create lasting memories. We look forward to welcoming you back.”

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Speaking to the Inverness Courier, new general manager Chris Lewis said: “It’s quite overwhelming to see this support already. We are a completely new company, but we felt there was a cloud. So as a management company we decided that we wanted people to know as quickly as possible that we intended this to be reborn as a place for everyone, and meet them, and to let them see what is all about.

“We are reopening Boath House as we imagine it should be. For us, it’s a place where local people can come and share local products and just enjoy a place of beauty. It’s a community place, a place for family.”

Cabin Studio took on the hotel and restaurant and opened the venue in 2022 after it had been on the market for offers over £1.975 million. The seasonal tasting menu, tranquil surroundings and art-filled rooms made for an ideal escape, with national titles such as Vogue giving the destination rave reviews.

Former chefs Katie Austin and Phil Mcenaney were named as “ones to watch” by the Good Food Guide and had overseen the Dining Room restaurant getting a Michelin recommendation. Under the previous family owners, the restaurant had been awarded One Michelin Star.

Find out more about Boath House and make a booking via their website.