The tranquillity of the Dumfries and Galloway coast made Knockinaam Lodge the perfect location for Winston Churchill and General Dwight Eisenhower to agree the final preparations for the D-Day landings when they met there with their Chiefs of Staff in 1944.
Today, this same unspoiled 32 acres in one of the most secluded and beautiful parts of Scotland, together with the exquisite skills of Head Chef Tony Pierce and the hotel’s unique place in history, makes Knockinaam Lodge one of the UK’s the finest country hotels. Indeed, guests today who reserve the Churchill suite can luxuriate in the same massive original Victorian bath once enjoyed by Britain’s wartime leader!
History to book!
The house enjoys a unique place in literary history also, being the inspiration for John Buchan in his classic ‘The 39 Steps’. Knockinaam was the house that its hero Hannay fled to, as he came over the hill to see a grey stone Victorian hunting lodge with its vast expanse of lawn sweeping down to the sea…
Michelin rated
The food too is remarkable at Knockinaam Lodge. Head Chef Tony Pierce has presided over the kitchens there since 1994, where he has built upon the skills honed earlier in his career at Llangoed Hall, Inverlochy Castle, The Box Tree, Mallory Court and the Gleneagles Hotel. Pierce has worked only in Michelin star rated establishments for the past 15 years, and Knockinaam is the only establishment in Dumfries and Galloway to have a Michelin star rating. This Michelin accolade has been maintained at Knockinaam since 1988, giving it one of the finest culinary records in the country.
The perfect complement
The cellars at Knockinaam feature over 500 wines from around the world, with over 200 French wines and a further 200 examples of the best from Italy, California, Australia and other leading producers from around the world.
Collector’s items
With over 150 malt whiskies in its bar, Knockinaam enjoys one of the finest collections in the country anywhere, including several cask strength bottlings. Its collection of lowland malts is particularly well regarded, and includes gems such as the near impossible to find 1966 Loch Lomond single malt – the 89th bottling of only 250 special edition decanters made!
Fair weather friend
The hotel enjoyed 130 days of summer sunshine and 30% less rainfall than in Glasgow last year – thanks to Knockinaam’s unique location basking in the Gulf Stream!
