The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
One could argue that most successful chefs don’t just love food. They love cooking. Cooking for the people we cherish is a manifestation of love; an undertaking to ensure that they are nourished, healthy, and well-fed. A good cook is also motivated by knowing that eating delicious food is one of life’s pleasures that makes people happy. For many chefs the next logical step in the culinary arts is hospitality. Today, top chefs have created restaurants with rooms where their restaurant is the destination, often hours away, where their patron travels for a dining experience worthy of the effort to get there. Once there, they will want to stay the night, unrushed or stressed about the drive back. Their foodie getaway may end after the next day’s breakfast or perhaps they’ll make a romantic weekend out of it. And that’s just what Tom Kitchin, one of Scotland’s most renowned chefs, has done at The Bonnie Badger in Scotland.
The Bonnie Badger is nothing short of a triumph for Tom Kitchin and his wife and business partner, Michaela. What they’ve done is taken a rundown dilapidated pub and turned it into a sublime coastal getaway. The Bonnie Bader is a few things. Yes, it is still a pub with pints, and of course a proud offering of Scottish whisky, as well as a crew of friendly locals there to bend the elbow. Beyond that, it is an exceptional restaurant, serving delicious wholesome food based on hyper-local ingredients. Lastly, The Bonnie Badger is a warm and welcoming place to spend the night. It doesn’t feel much like a hotel; it’s not that formal. It is a laid-back place where you can get away for a few days, have great food, enjoy the area, and have a comfortable rest for the night.
The Bonnie Badger’s owners are Scotland’s culinary dynamic duo, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela. Tom Kitchin is celebrated for his culinary expertise and dedication to showcasing Scottish produce. He gained prominence through his Edinburgh restaurant, The Kitchin, which was awarded a Michelin star. The couple’s venture into hotel ownership with The Bonnie Badger extends their commitment to high-quality hospitality. Michaela Kitchin brings her experience in hospitality management, ensuring that the inn operates smoothly and maintains the high standards associated with its brand. The Bonnie Badger is an extension of their shared vision that emphasizes excellent service, locally sourced cuisine, and a welcoming atmosphere and has been awarded a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand and 5 AA Gold Stars.
Tom and Michaela’s restaurant with rooms opened in 2018, however, the building dates back to 1836 when it originally served as a traditional coaching inn. After acquiring the inn, Tom and Michaela began their meticulous renovation of the building, completely gutting it while preserving its historic charm and then integrating modern amenities and design elements. Today The Bonnie Badger pays homage to the building’s rich past while offering a seamless blend of old-world elegance and contemporary comfort.
The Bonnie Badger is located in Gullane, a picturesque coastal village and the ideal getaway from Edinburgh, or any other city. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh but feels like you are in another country. Gullane is a quaint little village on the beautiful East Lothian coast with a few shops, rich turn-of-the-century architecture, and mostly residential areas that range from lovely row houses to Victorian-era mansions. The area is mainly known for two things: golf and beaches.
For golf enthusiasts, Gullane boasts several championship golf courses and in fact, there are 22 courses in the area. The village is home to the famous Muirfield Golf Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the world, frequently hosting The Open Championship. With its challenging links and breathtaking views, Gullane Golf Club also attracts players of all skill levels seeking to experience the essence of Scottish golfing tradition.
The next thing that his area is known for its beaches and natural beauty. A 10-minute walk away from The Bonnie Badger is the Gullane Beach. It is a beautiful wide beach with sweeping sand dunes, soft sand, and beautiful views making it ideal for wonderful barefoot walks. You’ll see the town’s folk there walking their dogs, jogging as well as children playing. A bit further away you’ll find the Yellowcraig Beach, a quieter and more remote stretch of sand amidst the backdrop of crashing waves and dramatic cliffs. This is Scotland so don’t expect warm waters however many are known to love a refreshing brisk dip in the Firth of Forth to get the heart pumping.
Make no mistakes about it, The Bonnie Bader is old; almost 200 years. And you’ll see that instantly from the exterior that retains its classic 19th-century character with rough stone walls covered in ivy. But inside is fresh and contemporary with a mix of centuries-old remnants including wooden beams, rustic brick walls, and crackling fireplaces that preserve the historic charm of the building.
The décor blends traditional Scottish touches with tartan fabrics with modern lighting, sleek finishes, and contemporary art. The style has a noticeably Scandinavian design as well, influenced by Michalea’s heritage, fresh and clean with wood surfaces and designs inspired by nature. The result is a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels both timeless and current.
The public areas include the restaurant, bar, and lounges. When the weather is good, locals and visitors love to be outdoors. The Bonnie Badger provides a beautiful garden area for dining and entertainment al fresco surrounded by lush greenery, thoughtful landscaping, and comfortable seating areas.
The Stables at The Bonnie Badger is the main dining area, offering a refined yet relaxed culinary experience. The menu is a celebration of Scotland’s rich culinary heritage, featuring ingredients sourced from a collective of passionate Scottish suppliers. What is on your plate is typically brought in that day from local farms, fisheries, and artisan producers. Meat and game are brought in whole, in furs and feathers, and all the butchering is done in-house. Dishes are crafted with a focus on freshness, seasonality, and sustainability.
The culinary team, led by Tom and his crew of experienced chefs, brings out the best in these ingredients through innovative and traditional cooking techniques. Diners can enjoy a variety of dishes, from succulent Scottish lamb and freshly caught seafood to hearty stews and vibrant vegetarian options. Signature dishes include venison, haggis, and smoked salmon, all prepared with a modern twist. The menu also features delectable desserts, such as traditional cranachan and sticky toffee pudding. Each dish is crafted with precision, reflecting a blend of tradition and innovation, providing guests with an unforgettable culinary experience in a warm, rustic setting.
With good weather, guests love to be out of doors on the garden terrace. There they’ll dine on tables surrounded by greenery and landscaping or under a canopy. Many will opt for the barbeque prepared before them on the Big Green Egg which adds to the experience. Guests can indulge in dishes such as freshly caught seafood platters, hearty Scotch beef steaks, and seasonal vegetarian creations.
Back indoors, the Broc Bar serves a range of gastropub dishes, with a fresh, modern twist on Scottish classics and carefully curated wines, cocktails, spirits, local craft beers, and ales.
After a hearty meal, game of golf, or exploring the area, guest will want to retire to their room for a comfortable night’s rest. The Bonnie Badger offers 12 rooms and one suite, all individually designed with a blend of traditional Scottish decor with each having its own unique character and charm.
The rooms epitomize understated luxury with modern comforts of plush bedding, bespoke furniture, and high-end amenities. Attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the carefully chosen fabrics to the thoughtful touches like bespoke Scottish hand-made Siabann toiletries or a pot of hot chocolate with delicious sweet treats at night.
Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including classic rooms, superior rooms, and suites, each tailored to different needs and preferences. The most romantic room is the Ridge Suite with a four-poster bed and an egg-shaped bathtub for two.
To understand The Bonnie Badger and the dining experience is to understand Tom’s obsession. His mission is to uplift Scotland’s food culture and all the wonderful produce that the lands nearby produce. This principle impacts the local communities as well. One of the staff’s father is a farmer who produces the potatoes, the fisherman who harvests the fresh oysters lives in the village, and the hunter who sourced the venison lives in the next town over.
On your morning walks, you may see one of the chefs out and about in a field or the woods. From afar it looks like he’s lost his car keys, but in fact, he’s foraging for mushrooms herbs, and flowers that you’ll see in your meal later that day. Tom’s mantra is From Nature to the Plate and that’s just what they do. As local as they can get it, sustainable, and responsibly farmed, caught, or harvested. And it goes beyond the food; the team sources local products for the hotel, works with local designers from the artwork to the furniture to the wallpaper and bathroom amenities. And it touches the staff as well with many of whom are from the area and may work a morning shift so they can take their kids to school and be there to pick them up when school lets out.
The Bonnie Badger is as much of a feeling as it is a place. It is a place to go where you know that you will be well looked after with authentic and inspired Scottish hospitality.
