I arrived at JA Mar Hall Resort & Spa on a rainy day. Most people would probably say that rain can take away some of the beauty of a place, but somehow, here, it did the complete opposite. If anything, it made the whole setting feel even more magical. There is something about Scotland that I cannot really explain. Every time I come back, I feel at home. And when I arrived at the hotel, I immediately had that same feeling. Looking out towards the River Clyde and the mountains, surrounded by all that green and mist, I could already imagine coming back in another season just to see how different it would feel.

There was something about the place that made me want to stay and take everything in. Even under a grey sky, the views were beautiful. The rain, the mountains in the distance, and the water made the whole setting feel almost timeless. What I could not quite believe was that we were only about 10 minutes from Glasgow Airport. Looking out at the landscape, it felt as though we had driven much further into the Scottish countryside. It was one of those moments where I thought, there is really nothing more beautiful than Scotland in the rain.

When I walked into the building, I was immediately drawn to the hall. The chandelier, the old details and the scale of the room made an impression straight away. There was something wonderfully atmospheric about the whole entrance, with its grand proportions, dark wood and intricate details. JA Mar Hall was completed in 1845 and designed by Sir Robert Smirke, the architect behind the British Museum. The building has a striking Gothic character, with details such as the quatrefoil motif appearing throughout, while the beautiful cedar panelling and doors were made using wood brought over from Canada.

I had initially assumed the dark colour of the building was simply down to the Scottish weather, but there is a much more interesting story behind it. During the Second World War, the nearby Clydebank shipyards were an important target, so the house was darkened to make it less visible from the air. It escaped the bombing, and the darker exterior was eventually kept as part of its history. The building later became a hospital before being transformed into a hotel in the 1990s.

More recently, JA Mar Hall has undergone an extensive refurbishment, reopening after the work while carefully preserving its listed status and many of its original features. I loved that the renovation did not try to erase the history of the house. Instead, the old architecture, woodwork and details sit alongside new interiors and contemporary art, giving the hotel a sense of character that feels both historic and very much alive.

And then I started noticing the art. Every room seemed to have something different, and I kept stopping to look at the paintings properly. The hotel works with artpistol Gallery, a company connected to alumni of the Glasgow School of Art, so the artwork throughout the hotel is by artists who trained there. I loved that idea because it gave the interiors a very local connection rather than simply filling an old building with decorative pieces.

One of the hotel rooms for dining and breakfast had so many pieces with a sense of humour, which I did not expect. Some of the paintings are very traditional at first glance, but then you notice a modern detail that completely changes them. That is probably what I liked most about the interiors. There is a lot of grandeur, but it does not feel too serious. You can have an enormous old ceiling, beautiful wood panelling and centuries of history, and then suddenly there is something completely unexpected hanging on the wall. It gives the hotel personality.

JA Mar Hall has around 74 bedrooms and suites, including the lodges and garden suites across the estate. My room was the Kilpatrick, named after the hills that frame the view from the hotel. I loved that connection to the landscape because the view really becomes part of the experience. From the room, you could see the mountains in the distance and the River Clyde beyond, making the setting feel wonderfully removed from everyday life.

For this trip, I brought my family with me, so the room was an important part of the stay, especially with a toddler and a baby in tow. It felt comfortable and spacious while still retaining the character and charm of the house. I loved the thoughtful little touches, from the Scottish books left for us to the teddy bear that quickly became a favourite with my toddler, and some lovely chocolate too. These details made the room feel warm and welcoming, and showed how you can personalise your stay with special touches, whether you’re travelling as a family or celebrating something special.

When it comes to Scottish gastronomy, you can't skip eating there because it's definitely part of the experience. The main restaurant, The Dining Room, is led by Executive Chef Brian Scanlan and his brilliant team, with a menu that puts Scottish produce at the centre while keeping the cooking contemporary and elegant. My recommendation is simple: do not leave without trying the Orkney scallop starter. The seared tuna is another dish I would happily order again. One evening, we had the dish of the day, a sea bream with beautifully crisp skin and a colourful presentation. The caviar brought the dish together, while the lobster sauce added just the right amount of richness. The Perthshire fillet of beef was also absolutely divine and, as it is a recurring dish on the menu, I would consider it a must. For a side, I would go for the BBQ carrots with green sauce. They were delicious and worked particularly well alongside the richness of the beef.

Afternoon tea is another experience I would definitely recommend. It is beautifully presented, delicious and exactly the sort of thing that suits the setting of the hotel. There is also a whisky tea, which felt like a particularly Scottish addition and a lovely way to make the experience feel connected to the place. And then there are the bars - Slàinte and The Gallery - which are certainly worth making time for, whether you want something before dinner, a drink afterwards or simply somewhere to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

One of the experiences I would absolutely recommend while staying at JA Mar Hall is a proper whisky tasting. There is something quite special about sitting in one of the rooms of the house, specifically the Slàinte, surrounded by all that history, while being taken through whiskies from different parts of Scotland. Our whisky connoisseur introduced us to some incredible whiskies from around the country and explained more about the different regions and what makes each one distinctive. Needless to say, my husband was very happy.

There are plenty of other experiences at the estate, including golf, falconry, archery, 4x4 and exploring the grounds, but for me, the Mar Hall Spa was the one I appreciated most. After travelling with two small children, having a few hours where I could simply switch off felt like a real luxury. The spa uses Ishga, a Scottish seaweed-based skincare brand, for its treatments, and after my massage I could retreat to the relaxation room and spend some time by the pool.

It genuinely felt like a sanctuary. I think that is what I needed most from this trip: not another activity to fit into the day, but somewhere I could slow down, breathe and have a little time to myself. The treatment, the relaxation room and the pool made the spa one of my favourite parts of our stay.

What I loved most about JA Mar Hall is that it feels like a place you can experience in your own way. You might come for the food, the whisky, the spa, the history, or simply to escape somewhere beautiful for a few days. You can fill your time with experiences, or do very little at all and simply enjoy the views, the quiet and the feeling of being somewhere special.Whether you are looking for adventure, a little peace and time to yourself, or precious time with family and loved ones, there is something here that makes the stay feel personal. For me, that is what makes a place truly memorable: having the freedom to slow down, enjoy the moment and create your own experience.

JA Mar Hall: A Grand Scottish Escape

Avesso Magazine

JA Mar Hall: A Grand Scottish Escape

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