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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Does Crossbasket Castle's new restaurant live up to the hype?
At a polished marble bar with high curved mirrors, smart-suited bartenders mix cocktails. Languorous live jazz plays and candles flicker on low tables where glammed-up couples sip champagne. Trocadero's takes its name, inspiration (and even the font) from a legendary local dance hall, nicknamed 'The Troc', which was the place to be in Hamilton in the 1950s. On opening, former performers and regulars, some now in their 90s, were invited to experience the new iteration. So it's a tribute to the 1950s, with a 1920s jazz era speakeasy vibe. Pretty bold for Blantyre, and actually, anywhere in Scotland. I order a martini. I don't have a cigarette holder to twirl or a fringed flapper dress but I can at least match my drink to the scene unfolding. The cocktails take Roaring Twenties phrases as inspiration, including 'Cash or check', a flirtatious way to ask for a kiss, and 'It's the Berries', 1920s slang for something extraordinary. At our table we're given menus big enough to hide behind. Now, to order with restraint, say soup and a scallop to start for £12, or go wild with blow-the-budget caviar at £120? For me it's Shetland crab salad and encouraging my husband to over-order on oysters so I can pinch one. Both are simply prepared but tasty, the oysters with a shallot mignonette, the crab with a retro cocktail sauce cut through with cognac. Seventeenth-Century Crossbasket Castle has been owned by Alison and Steve Timoney since 2011, shortly after it was listed on Scotland's 'Buildings at Risk' register. An initial £10 million investment turned it into a beautiful small hotel (where I'm staying in a room bigger than my first flat). The recent £20 million expansion has created an art-deco style adjacent building, housing 40 luxury bedrooms; two new restaurants: palm-court style Foveran's and Trocadero's; and 50 new local jobs. (Image: Crossbasket Castle) Progressing to main courses and, again, pick your budget, Speyside cote de boeuf for two at £99 or an Ayrshire pork chop for £25? I had been concerned the food would be all shine and no substance but I'm pleasantly surprised. The catch of the day is a chunky charcoal-grilled fillet of sea bass, with a white wine butter sauce and samphire. The fish is sweet and tender, and the smokiness of the grill adds a welcome twist of summer barbecue. Desserts come on a trolley, the first I've seen in years, which is of course the point. Alongside tiramisu and lime mango mousse is a sweet dollop of nostalgia, even if that's nostalgia for a time before my own. Michael Roux Jnr has overseen the menus here and was behind the pass for many of the launch events, adding a little extra celebrity glitz. Though, let's be clear: nobody is here just for the food. It's all about the entertainment, which is building in pace. A solo guitarist is replaced by a jazzy three piece band, then Champagne take to the stage: 11 musicians all clad in sequins and sparkling gold jackets. There are three lead singers, a three-piece brass section, bass, drums, guitar and piano, and a lot of talent and energy as they run through jazz and Motown hits, show tunes and riffs on pop classics. (Image: Crossbasket Castle) At regular interludes (and just at weekends) dancers burst into the room, a riot of sequins and feathered headdresses with prop saxophones and highly choreographed dance routines. The performances are incredible, and it almost feels rude to keep eating while they dance. Later still there are light-up costumes; a dance floor filled with musicians, guests and dancers; and towards final orders a conga line that snakes around the restaurant (which I observe safely from the bar). Dining at Trocadero's is like nowhere I've been before. During the week it's more relaxed, still with live musicians, but not the more frenzied Friday and Saturday nights. Will the underground jazz club nights have staying power once the novelty wears off? Hard to say, but certainly tonight it's packed and people are here for a good time. The food offering is strong, the cocktails are excellent, and it's in easy reach of Glasgow and the Central Belt. I say pack your sequins, leave your inhibitions at the door and join the party! Stoneymeadow Road, East Kilbride, Glasgow, G72 9UE
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I stayed at Crossbasket Castle and enjoyed new entertainment-led dining
Crossbasket Castle's new hotel sits within the grand estate of the historic castle near Glasgow, bringing the addition of 40 upscale bedrooms alongside Trocadero's, a new Art Deco dining room and cocktail bar. They've done a remarkable job of adding something innovative to the hospitality offering while expanding the scale of their luxury experience. Crossbasket Castle has stood, in one form or another, in the 14 acres of grounds at the border of East Kilbride and High Blantyre for six centuries. The new hotel building that now sits alongside the historic landmark has opened following a £20million investment by the 34th and current owners of the castle, Steve and Alison Timoney. They created a luxury hotel and event venue from the 16th-century tower with Georgian and Victorian extensions that they rescued from dereliction in 2016. Since then it has become one of Scotland's leading wedding venues and the fine dining restaurant that was established by Albert Roux and then continued by his son Michel Roux Jr held a 3-Rosette from the AA Restaurant Guide. Michel Roux Jr now oversees the menu at Trocadero's which brings together champagne, lavish dinners and live entertainment from a substantial roster of bands and musicians. Every aspect of the hotel has been carefully crafted, from the pristine gardens to the handcrafted furniture. In contrast to the period opulence of the castle itself, the hotel is modern, stylish and designed to sit within its tranquil surroundings. The interiors are inspired by Art Deco designs of the 1920s and 1930s with opulent fabrics selected to enhance the sophisticated sleek aesthetic, and rich earth tones of green, orange and brown captured in the soft furnishings. Within the new hotel sits two restaurants: Foveran's is an bright and serene atrium where natural daylight floods the room with a palm court-style setting for a laidback breakfast or lunch. Trocadero's is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux who works with chefs at the hotel to create a menu to match the luxury setting. Guests can expect to be transported to a magical bygone era that promises top music entertainment acts, an immersive dining experience, cocktails and an excellent wine list. Inside Trocadero's, guests will find mood lighting, candlelit tables and plush seating, setting the stage for a romantic dining experience, reminiscent of the classic underground jazz clubs which inspired its concept. The restaurant has a dedicated stage, where live performances take place seven nights a week, and its own troupe of dancers. Still to come as part of the new development is the luxury Four Angels Spa which will open at Crossbasket Castle in autumn 2025, alongside two new luxurious eco-cottages that are set to create additional private havens within the castle's estate. Crossbasket Castle is managed by Inverlochy Castle Management International, which operates 12 other independent luxury properties around Scotland, including Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William, and Greywalls Hotel in Gullane. Rooms at Crossbasket Castle Hotel start from £195, within the 40 rooms available there are two suites and four junior suites. There are nine rooms within the castle itself that start from £360. The Roosevelt Ballroom has seating for up to 250 guests. The James Little Hall has seating for 250 for ceremonies and receptions, 120 for dining, and Bailey Room and Stewart room can accommodate events for up to 40 people. Crossbasket Castle, Stoneymeadow Rd, High Blantyre G72 9UE 1 . Crossbasket Castle On arrival at Crossbasket Castle we took advantage of the good weather and explored the gardens and the riverside walk behind the main house. It's a picture perfect setting that now includes the traditional Scottish baronial grandeur of the castle and the modern luxury of the new hotel. | contributed Photo Sales 2 . Crossbasket Castle rooms A stay in a Scottish castle is the kind of experience that many travellers dream about and Crossbasket has a small collection of rooms to transport you to a different age of hospitality. Accommodation includes the Lindsay Tower Suite with rooms spread across four-storeys of a 17th century castle tower, with views across the estate. Each room includes antique furnishings, rich fabrics, heavy curtains and deep carpets. | Crossbasket Photo Sales 3 . Afternoon tea We began our stay with champagne afternoon tea in the drawing room of the castle. In these wonderfully atmospheric surroundings we were served artisan sandwiches and canapes, followed by freshly baked fruit and plain scones with homemade jam and clotted cream before a selection of homemade cakes. We ordered a pot of Afternoon Gold, a black tea blend of floral Darjeeling and fruity Ceylon. This was enjoyed with glasses of Taittinger Brut and rosé champagnes. | Crossbasket Castle Photo Sales 4 . Deluxe Double Bedroom Our room on the ground floor was stylish and comfortable. A separate bathroom with shower, Art Deco flourishes, a big cosy bed, well stocked mini-fridge, coffee machine and tea selection. Created with attention to detail, these are some of the newest luxury rooms you can find in Scotland but are rooted in a classic form of hospitality. They add to the hotel's sense of identity and grand design. | Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo Sales
The National
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
New Scottish restaurant takes step back into the Golden Age
This new restaurant and 40-bedroom Art Deco-inspired hotel is located just outside Blantyre, South Lanarkshire. The main attraction is the 'entertainment-led dining experience', inspired by the heyday of Scotland's old dance halls – including its namesake Trocadero in Hamilton, fondly known as 'The Troc', which offered up escapism, music and dancing every night of the week. My friend and I glammed ourselves up in our 1920s-inspired bedroom, with as much vintage style and red lipstick as we could muster, before descending for a night to remember. Guests emerge through a rich velvet curtain to witness underground prohibition decadence. We stepped into a vast but darkly intimate bar, with candlelit dining and a sweeping stage, channelling vibes of speakeasy glamour, like something straight out of an American movie. Here was rich soft furnishings, curves and geometric shapes reminiscent of Art Deco style, and dapper waiting staff ready to take your cocktail order. Mixologist Panos Damou has curated a cocktail list inspired by the Jazz Age. I toasted the night with a Plum Crusta, rich in fruity flavours and dramatically presented in a smoking glass case. The venue's motto 'Where Champagne Flows and Anything Goes' means a healthy bubbles menu too. Feeling like the Marvellous Mrs Maisel, we were led to our stage-side table as an 11-piece band took the night by the horns. Sequinned flapper-style dancers stepped, kicked, swivelled and shimmied in Charleston fashion. In these opulent surroundings the food could take a back seat, but it certainly does not. The menu is overseen by renowned chef Michel Roux Jnr and the kitchen is under the auspices of executive chef Kevin Barron. We could have indulged in dishes synonymous with luxury, such as caviar, oysters and steak, but I opted for lighter ones – a starter of Shetland crab, followed by a shallot tart tatin with blue cheese and pear. I particularly loved the sheer joy of the traditional dessert trolley steered between the dancers to reach our table, where, from myriad treats, I chose a hazelnut milk chocolate tart. After a night of decadence we walked upstairs to our room and curled up in bed with the Trocadero's newsletter, lulled to sleep with stories of couples who met in the original Hamilton Troc and fell in love. The following morning, breakfast was dished up in Foveran's. Its green hues with a palm motif felt like a calming oasis after the hedonism of the night before. Foveran's serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for guests who desire a quieter dining experience. A yoghurt and juice bar kickstarted our detox, with fresh fruit and bakery items brought to the table. After tucking into Loch Fyne kippers, a walk to the nearby Four Angels waterfall blows the cobwebs away. I immersed myself in Trocadero's transatlantic glamour but there's no denying this is a proudly Scottish project. Most of the food is sourced in Scotland, ideally within a 50-mile radius. The owners, Steve Timoney and Alison Reid-Timoney, are Scottish, with Steve growing up in Easterhouse. Much of the veg and honey served in the hotel comes from the owners' Perthshire estate. And the employment opportunities here are vast, tapping into Scottish music agents, an expansive roster of bands, singers, musicians, dance troupes and choreographers, alongside front of house staff and those working behind the scenes. Trocadero's is a £20 million project and the spa (scheduled to open late this year) is devising its own line of beauty products with AS Apothecary on the Isle of Harris, using ingredients/botanicals from the Timoneys' estate and the castle's 14-acre grounds. Trocadero's represents a golden age in hospitality and a destination like no other, so grab your glad rags and hot foot it to the liveliest spot just outside town. It stages entertainment seven nights a week but browse the music calendar if you seek big band vibes. We saw the fantastic Champagne on stage. Also look out for Soul Sundays – a traditional Sunday lunch with added live music performances. To find out more, visit
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Scotsman
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I stayed in stunning new Scottish castle hotel - and was transported to the roaring 20s
A new hotel in the grounds of a Scottish castle opened in April, and Rosalind Erskine visited to find a lush escape filled with 1920s decor and a meal to remember. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Living in Glasgow, I love the city's much-lauded green spaces and I, luckily, live close to the botanic gardens where I spend a lot of the summer walking the dog or relaxing in the (all too infrequent) sunny days. But, as with most city-dwellers, I relish the opportunity to escape to the countryside for a slice of peace and quiet. Somewhere that's close to Glasgow but feels about a million miles away is Crossbasket Castle, known to locals for years as Crossbasket House. Situated in High Blantyre, on the outskirts of Glasgow, Alison and Steve Timoney bought Crossbasket Castle in 2011, a year after it was listed on Scotland's 'Buildings At Risk' Register. The couple spent £10M restoring the castle, including its tower which dates back to the 15th century. The castle is now a very boutique hotel, with only nine rooms, and sits in 14 acres of grounds which include picturesque gardens, a riverside walk, and a waterfall. Five-star Crossbasket Castle has unveiled its new hotel and entertainment-led restaurant | contributed The next chapter in this historic landmark's history is the opening of a 40 bedroom, stand alone hotel within the grounds. This new £20M addition, which opened in late March, will be joined by a spa and two eco-lodges later this year. The new hotel is also home to two restaurants, an all-day-dining restaurant called Foveran's and the Michel Roux Jnr managed Trocadero's, an entertainment-led venue. I visited in late April to stay in the new building, and dine in at Trocadero's and was not only transported away from Glasgow but back to the glamorous 1920s. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Budget or boutique? From around £250 per night for a classic room, this is a boutique offering. Room service The entire hotel, including the rooms, have a 1920s, art deco inspired interior with rich earth, neutral and pastel tones, and metallic accents throughout the reception area and rooms. Our twin room, which overlooked the grounds, had a neutral colour palette with statement shell-like headboard, seating area with scalloped chairs and ensuite with bathtub and stand-alone shower. You can still stay in the much more traditionally decorated, and atmospheric castle. Lauren Murphy Photography Wining and dining At the new hotel the big draw for dinner is Trocadero's. This new entertainment-led restaurant, which has the tagline 'where champagne flows and anything goes' is a nod to the celebrated 1950s dance hall in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, of the same name. As with the hotel, guests will feel they've been transported to a bygone era as soon as they walk through the velvet curtain. The restaurant is huge, with a sunken dining room you descend into from the bar. With its deep red walls, multiple mirrors, low lighting and art-deco style, it's like a very stylish take on the famous Overlook Hotel's Gold Room. But thankfully the bar staff are alive, well and make a mean martini. Rich, brass tones, dark timber panelling and candlelit tables give this room a more intimate feel than belies its size, but the stage at the end of the dining room gives a glimpse of what's to come. We tucked into a decadent dinner starting with a caviar bar and seafood platter followed by lobster and ribeye steak (some dishes are carved or presented tableside by the dapper staff). Flapper-style dancers get livelier as the night goes on, ending with a full 10 piece live band with three singers. The night ended at the bar, with another cocktail and a conga line. I've never been on a cruise but it has that feel to it - something totally different but not for those that want a quiet night of conversation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Trocadero's restaurant will be overseen by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux | Lauren Murphy Photography Hotel guests can enjoy an a la carte breakfast in Foveran's, which also has a juice, yoghurt and make your own Bloody Mary station, for those that didn't over indulge in champagne the night before. This light-filled space with green painted trellising and plush seating is filled with plants for a palm-court style. Little extras Our room had Penhaligon's Quercus toiletries, robes, slippers, a well stocked mini bar and Nespresso machine as well as fresh milk and tea. USB chargers, a smart TV and an iPad to control lights and amenities are also on hand. Worth getting out of bed for The grounds at Crossbasket are ideal for a walk, and it's worth seeking out the river and waterfall for some tranquillity. Afternoon tea in the castle is well worth booking, and the total opposite of dinner at Trocadero's. Traditional finger sandwiches and homemade cakes are served alongside Taittinger champagne in the hushed drawing rooms of this historic home. Guestbook comments Crossbasket Castle opened its doors in May 2016, having been restored from the brink of ruin into one of Scotland's most luxurious, five-star hotel and events venues by owners Alison and Steve Timoney. The essence of romance, indulgence and pure escapism has been captured in Crossbasket Castle's new 40-bedroom hotel that neighbours the existing castle. Although just 12 miles from Glasgow, Crossbasket Castle feels much further as it's surrounded by beautiful countryside and contained within lush private gardens. Crossbasket Castle Hotel, Spa & Restaurant Stoneymeadow Rd Glasgow G72 9UE
