Scotland’s ‘first farm hospitality destination’ opens in stunning rural setting
“In UK and international terms, we also think our credentials as an authentic farm hospitality destination are second to none” – George Mackintosh
What is being billed as Scotland’s first farm hospitality destination has officially opened following a decade-long restoration process.
Papple by Haddington’s owner, Scottish tech entrepreneur George Mackintosh, is hoping that the East Lothian venue can rival Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire and The Newt and Hauser & Wirth in Somerset as one of the UK’s top farm hospitality businesses.
Papple, which has been carefully restored over the last decade, is based on the Whittingehame Estate that was once owned by British prime minister AJ Balfour. The farm buildings and steadings have a storied history as a model farm, leading the advancement of agricultural methods and technology.
Mackintosh said: “Against the backdrop of a stunning rural setting, Papple combines high-end luxury accommodation, a business retreat, and agricultural heritage and contemporary arts with local food and drinks with fine wine at a venue which is very much one of a kind in Scotland.
“In UK and international terms, we also think our credentials as an authentic farm hospitality destination are second to none.”
AJ Balfour’s niece, Lady Eve Balfour, who spent her early years on the estate, went on to become a farmer, educator and a founding figure in the organic farming movement, co-founding and becoming the first chairperson of the Soil Association in 1946.
King Charles III is the royal patron of the Soil Association, a position he has held since 1999. And last month, Eve’s Court, a restaurant, cafe and wine bar, was opened at the venue, recalling the impression Lady Balfour made at Papple.
Papple offers self-catered and fully catered accommodation in five properties on the small estate. The Farmhouse, The Grieve's Cottage, the two Bothies and The Granary are styled with a mix of contemporary and period furniture. Modern art adorns the wall together with the 1860 architect’s drawings of the farm buildings.
Owned by Mackintosh and his wife Eri since 2016, Papple Steading has been developed alongside renowned Scottish architect Richard Murphy, founder of Richard Murphy Architects.
Last year, Papple opened the Richard Demarco Gallery, featuring a range of works from the Demarco Archive, one of the most highly-rated post-War contemporary arts collections in Europe.
The latest exhibition in the Gallery, Drive, features original photography of Jim Clark, the son of a farmer from the Scottish Borders who went on to become a two-time Formula One world champion in the 1960s.
Officially opened by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, Papple has also entered a multi-year sponsorship of East Lothian Food and Drink to showcase the best food and drink producers from across the county.
Sir Tom Devine, professor emeritus of Scottish history and palaeography at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The faithful and meticulous restoration of Papple Steading beautifully preserves the historic buildings which recall Scotland’s world leading role in the agricultural revolution while offering the modern visitor a range of new facilities to enjoy.
“The Mackintosh family fully deserve warmest congratulations and thanks for this truly imaginative restoration of an important site.”
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