Our writer, Rachel McAlley enjoyed a night of luxury at The Leddie in Scotland recently, where she embraced Scottish hospitality at its finest, alongside pure comfort in this quaint village hotel.
I travelled by train from York to Edinburgh, and then by car onwards to my destination, The Leddie. It took around 4 hours from my front door to The Leddie’s front door. The scenery throughout the train journey took in lots of hilly landscape and plenty of coastline. It was wonderful to sit back and enjoy these surroundings.
Aberlady is a beautiful coastal village in East Lothian (just a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh). Likewise, with stunning views across the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve.
This region of Scotland is known as Scotland’s iconic golf coast as it plays host to 22 golf courses, where visitors travel from around the world to play the famous courses. Moreover, there are plenty of walks that visitors enjoy around Aberlady Bay and the village, with the option of hiring electric bikes to take in more of the local area.
The Leddie
I checked in to the boutique hotel, The Leddie, which has been open just over a year under new owners and management. The Leddie is part of The Marram Hotel Collection and was recently recommended in The Times Top 100 Places to Stay (2025).
In just over twelve months, The Leddie has gone from newcomer, to one of East Lothian’s most talked-about destinations. A 27-bedroom boutique hotel with restaurant, beer garden, and bar that has delivered a strong performance across food, rooms and service, and earned itself an AA Rosette. As a result, I was super excited to see my room.
The front of house reception team were able to help with all my questions about the hotel’s history, and restaurant reservations. Plus, they offered ideas on what was worth doing in the local area.
Lunch Menu
I arrived in time to order lunch and dine in the hotel’s restaurant. They offer a lunchtime set menu of 2 courses for £19 or 3 courses for £24. I opted for the 2-course special, and went for smoked applewood cheese croquettes to start. My main was steak & ale pie with wholegrain mustard mash and greens.
The slight smokiness in the croquettes was superb especially alongside the crisp outer crumb. In addition, the red onion chutney was the perfect accompaniment. The steak from the pie simply melted in my mouth, the gravy was smooth, rich, and filled with flavour.
The Cottage
Post lunch I was taken to my room, one of the private cottage suites in the hotel’s grounds and unpacked my suitcase whilst watching the TV sat on the comfy sofa.
The cottage suite has its own private gate, courtyard, and outdoor table and chairs. The room itself housed a king-sized bed, large sofa, giant TV, Nespresso machine, fridge, and a safe. Plus, a separate corridor with huge wardrobe, and open plan bathroom with rainforest shower. The cottage also offers towelling robes, slippers, a complimentary selection of Scottish shortbread and a dram of whisky before bed.
I spent the afternoon in the village and the local convenience store, Margiotta, which was more like an upmarket supermarket. They sell gorgeous local produce including Scottish Tablet and have an outstanding selection of bakery items.
Back in my room I got ready for dinner, and headed to the restaurant. The hotel was buzzing with guests, from people checking in, to locals dining with friends and family. I was shown to my table and offered a menu.
Dinner at The Leddie
Everything looked tasty, but after seeing what the diners were having next to me, I had decided what to have. Burrata with maple roasted squash, confit pear, and brown butter dressing (£16) for my starter. For the main course I chose fish and chips with crushed peas, tartare sauce and lemon (£19.90). Finally, the dessert I devoured was caramelised pear mille-feuille with amaretto cream, almond praline, and salted caramel (£9.50).
Firstly, I must say that the burrata was one of the freshest, and creamiest cheeses I have ever had, it was perfectly balanced with the squash and pear. Secondly, the chips were outstanding, and even a little girl on a table close by said they were the best chips she’d ever had! Thirdly, the mille-feuille was exceptional – I’d be surprised if the pastry chef hasn’t had formal training in delicate pastries, because it was so beautiful to look at and was absolutely divine to eat.
I hung around the bar area for a short while post-dinner as I wanted to chat to the bar staff about their cocktails and beers. I ended up having a mocktail, the nojito, made with apple juice, fresh mint, citrus, and soda. It was a really refreshing drink to end my evening with.
After watching TV back in my room, I realised there had been a turn-down service and my pillows were plumped, and bedding turned down for the night. I couldn’t have asked for anything better as I hopped into bed for a restful night’s sleep.
The Leddie Breakfast
The highlight of any hotel stay is looking forward to enjoying a breakfast, so when I was greeted with all the staff smiling, I knew it was going to be a good day. The menu comprised of a starter course and main breakfast, of which I opted for the banana and berry bowl to start, followed by The Leddie’s scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on sourdough toast.
When in Scotland I always try to have smoked salmon, because to me it’s the best in the world, and I wasn’t disappointed. My plate was stacked with 3 huge slices of locally sourced smoked salmon and perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. I was in my breakfast element!
The Leddie is quietly situated, off the main street in Aberlady and the cottage, where I stayed is located at rear of the hotel, away from any sounds from the village. All-in-all, I found my suite perfect in every way. I was even given an umbrella to use between the cottage and the hotel entrance. Luckily it didn’t rain at any point of my visit to The Leddie, so I didn’t make use of the brolly!
I spent the rest of the morning until checkout time in my room on my laptop working, and I can honestly say it was a gorgeous room to work from.
Why not book in for the autumn coastal escape package. Priced from £115 per person sharing, including 1-night stay, choice of luxurious rooms, 3-course dinner, à la carte breakfast, and a welcome drink for each guest. Book now at The Leddie.
Yarrow Cookery School
Whilst in Aberlady I took the opportunity to visit the newly opened Yarrow Cookery School in nearby Longniddry. I had a look around and met the founders, Richard and Sophia Yarrow.
Yarrow is the UK’s first fossil fuel free destination cookery school, located in a stunning 450-year old steading. Now a shopping, dining and drinking, experience-driven venue. Moreover, visitors can learn how to cook at Yarrow Cookery School, plus make floral arrangements at In Bloom Studio. Also, they can browse the local independent food and wine retailer, Margiotta. Equally, guests can use the gym, have a haircut, or go for a cuppa at Perk Coffee Shop. There’s plenty to do whilst on site, and there’s a restaurant opening in the near future too.
Cookery Course Information
I spent an hour chatting with both Richard and Sophia about their background in cooking and baking. We discussed where they are both from, and why they chose Longniddry for their cookery school.
Richard is from the local region, and Sophia is a Londoner, they met whilst Richard was in London, and ‘the rest is history’ as they say! Being from Scotland and having worked in hospitality for many years, Richard knew he wanted to be in Scotland fulltime. After working around the UK and Ireland he decided to cook from home and start cookery lessons. This is where the idea for the cookery school came in to fruition.
Guests can book onto existing dates for pasta making courses, seafood dishes, and cocktails and canape events. Additionally, they can book a private event tailored for their specific requirements. There are family-friendly courses, kids cooking classes and so much more. Having looked online at Yarrow’s current events you’ll be hard-pressed to book as they all sell out within days! Which can only mean one thing, they are brilliant at what they do.
I can attest to anything bakery related being delicious, as Richard made some gorgeous brioche buns, which I happily tucked into whilst there! Get yourself booked on a course, I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy every element of the visit.
Check out Yarrow Cookery School to find out more.
Words by Rachel McAlley aka @LadyRach
