Art House: Scotland’s The Fife Arms Hotel Houses Over 16,000 Antiques And 12,000 Art Pieces, Including Creations By Picasso And The Royal Family - Arts & Culture

The hotel has invited artists to reside in the hotel to enrich their craft such as James Prosek, Alec Finlay, and Orlando Mostyn-Owen among others.

Given the artful environment of The Fife Arms and its location at Braemar, artists have been invited to reside in the hotel to enrich their craft.

Built in the 19th century, The Fife Arms Hotel is one of the works of Scottish architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie—who’s responsible for other prestigious works like Australia House and the Waldorf Hotel in London.

Since The Fife Arms’ conception, art has been the center of its identity. Swiss couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the founders of the acclaimed gallery Hauser & Wirth, spearheaded the curation.

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The five-star hotel sits in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, where travelers go for bespoke getaways. In fact, even royalty were guests, such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Inside, the property houses over 16,000 antiques and 12,000 works of art, from creations of Pablo Picasso to paintings by royalty themselves—Queen Victoria and Prince Charles.

The hotel’s cocktail bar, Elsa, is inspired by Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.


Since The Fife Arms’ conception, art has been the center of its identity. Swiss couple Iwan and
Manuela Wirth, the founders of the acclaimed gallery Hauser & Wirth, spearheaded the curation. Whether acquired or commissioned, the pieces “have been thoughtfully integrated into every room, corridor, and corner.


To discover

Global artists created their commissioned art pieces, including Zhang Enli, Guillermo Kuitca, Subodh Gupta, Richard Jackson, and Bharti Kher. In the lobby, you’ll find a Steinway piano reworked by contemporary artist Mark Bradford.

The Royal Suite


Given the artful environment of The Fife Arms and its location at Braemar, artists have been invited to reside in the hotel. To further enrich their craft by immersing themselves in the surroundings, American artist, writer, and naturalist James Prosek spent weeks in Braemar. Meanwhile, Scottish artist and poet Alec Finlay created “Gathering” while at residence. A mapping of the Highland landscape in poems, essays, photographs, and maps.

The ‘Ancient Quartz’ ceiling by Zhang Enli

Additionally, Orlando Mostyn-Owen traveled to the region from Paris. During his stay, Owen captured the
landscapes and people of Braemar through sketches and paintings.


To explore

While there’s no shortage of art to discover inside, there’s a garden to explore outside the property. The Fife Arms garden, which overlooks River Clunie, was designed by Jinny Blom, a Chelsea Flower Show medallist. Blom has landscaped gardens for Prince Charles and Laurent Perrier, a champagne house founded in 1812.

To book a stay at the historical hotel means a more immersive experience of discovering Braemar. The hotel’s 46 individual guestrooms and suites are traditionally designed with different inspirations. For the aptly named Royal Suites, guests can expect a room inspired by The Fife Arms Hotel’s noble visitors. In another instance, the Scottish Culture.

Images from @thefifearmshotel on Instagram.

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