A Highland Retreat Honors Coco Chanel's Scottish Love Affair
A luxury hotel in the Scottish Highlands has opened a new bedroom dedicated to fashion icon Coco Chanel. The Fife Arms in Braemar designed the suite to reflect her deep connection with Scotland, blending Parisian elegance with Highland influences. Guests can now book the room for stays starting at £1,000 per night. The suite draws inspiration from Chanel’s 1920s visits to Scotland, where she stayed with Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster. Her time in the Highlands sparked a lifelong passion for fishing, and she later became known for her skill in fly fishing. The room’s design also nods to her Parisian apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, featuring a wheatsheaf chandelier and an Art Deco vanity mirror.
Russell Sage Studio led the project, incorporating Scottish elements that shaped Chanel’s work. The wallpaper replicates a pattern from Rosehall House near Lairg, a manor she once decorated. Specially woven tweeds from Linton mill, in deep greens and burgundies, reference fabrics she discovered in 1928. These materials later appeared in her iconic fashion collections. Inside, the suite includes a walk-in wardrobe, a private bar, and a freestanding copper bath set within an arched alcove. The design balances French sophistication with the rugged charm of the Scottish countryside, mirroring Chanel’s own blend of influences.
The new bedroom at The Fife Arms celebrates Chanel’s enduring ties to Scotland. It combines her signature Parisian style with Highland traditions, from tweed textiles to fishing-inspired details. The suite is now available for guests, offering a unique stay rooted in fashion history.
