 A special retreat in a picturesque setting, overlooking Largo Bay. Good food, excellent service & golf galore. Bookings to play golf at St Andrews & over 30 courses, including many championship courses.
One of Scotlands Hotels of Distinction, spectacular in every way. A charming setting, on the edge of the picturesque village of Lundin Links, overlooking two championship golf course and Largo Bay, completes the picture that is the Old Manor. Sip a cool drink or take tea on the South-facing terrace. On a clear day you can see for over 30 miles across the golf course, Largo Bay and the Forth Estuary and if you think the view is spectacular, wait till you try the food. A collection of over fifty of Scotlands finest, privately owned hotels. Membership is selective. Ambience, quality and presentation of freshly prepared food, and a dining experience that is always attentive never intrusive, are considered to be essential. Only those offering exceptional standards of service, consistent with best Scottish hospitality, are invited to join Scotlands Hotels of Distinction. Aithernie House was built in the mid 19th Century as a private residence, then seen as being a modern country house. This was long before Lundin Links became a fashionable and busy beach and golf resort with day trippers and holiday makers alike. Former residents included the Russell family, of Tullis Russell the Papermakers fame, for whom Aithernie was a family home in the early nineteen hundreds. Also the Paxton family, a daughter of whom died recently leaving around a million pounds to Multiple Sclerosis Research. In its time Aithernie was a sanatorium; convalescent home during World War two; and even a children's nursery school, though still remaining a private residence throughout. In 1949 a local builder bought the property and converted it to an hotel opening in 1951 as the Beach Hotel. In the late '70s the hotel was extended and the name changed to the Old Manor. The railway, running along the coast to St Andrews, played an important role in making Lundin Links a popular holiday destination, particularly with those from the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and even further afield. The village railway station overlooked the 17th green of Lundin Golf Club and trains deposited passengers in front of Aithernie House. As it ran through Lundin and Leven golf courses the railway caused unusual golfing hazards, both physical and boundary. Many a train was struck by a golf ball and a few golfers by the train! Sadly the infamous Dr Beeching closed the railway in the 1960s. The Hotel traded well through to the end of the '80s but the recession of 1990 to 91 forced it into receivership. The present owners, the Clark family, acquired the hotel in the spring of 1992 and started a phased development of the property. Private en-suite facilities were added to all bedrooms and public areas refurbished to a high standard. Five additional bedrooms were added in 1996 and during autumn 2000 balconies/verandas were built onto the sea facing rooms in the West Wing. The Coachmans Bistro, the hotels second restaurant was opened in 1992 and extended to seat 85 in spring 1998. The Lundie and Largo Conference and Banqueting suite accommodating up to 120 opened in May 1999. Also in 1999 the house immediately to the East of the hotel was purchased and developed into a self contained Lodge comfortably accommodating six adults. The accommodation comprises three twin/double bedrooms, each with full ensuite facilities; a lounge/dining room; full service kitchen; laundry room, gardens and private parking. Residents in the Lodge can call on all the hotel services, including room service. Daily maid service can be provided. Over the years the Old Manor has won several awards including in 1994 and 1995 an AA Rosette for the high and consistent quality of food and service in the Aithernie Restaurant. In 1996 we were awarded two Rosettes which are still retained. The AA also named the Old Manor AA/Consort Scottish Hotel of the Year for 1995 & 1997 & 1999 and AA/Consort National Hotel of the Year (UK & Ireland) in 1999. Several of the Chefs have won gold and silver awards in culinary competitions, the most prolific being Roberta Drummond, Head Chef of the Coachman's Bistro. In 1997 the Hotel became the first hotel in Fife to be awarded four stars by the Scottish Tourist Board. Is there a ghost? Well, some say there is but if so he or she enjoys a contented existence in the peaceful surroundings. No food is ever missing so perhaps the ghost feeds on the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen. We hope that you too will enjoy the gracious ambience of Aithernie and be titillated by the menu to savour James McKay's artistically presented modern culinary creations.
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