A well-known but unfounded legend suggests that the word marmalade comes from Mary, Queen of Scots, whose servants supposedly said in French, “Marie est malade,” meaning “Mary is sick.” The story goes that marmalade was served to her when she was unwell, and the phrase was eventually associated with the preserve. However, this explanation is not supported by historical evidence.
So let’s focus on the real story and its connection to Craigendarroch Suites, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Scotland. It’s one of my favorite Hilton Grand Vacations international properties, and I would gladly recommend it as your next European destination. It sits just a few miles down a two-lane road from Balmoral Castle, the longtime summer retreat of England’s royal family, including Queen Victoria (who is said to have loved marmalade). Victoria purchased Balmoral in 1852, immediately rebuilt it, then reportedly ate a great deal of marmalade there until her death in 1901. Her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, also spent considerable time at Balmoral and was also said to enjoy marmalade. Elizabeth II died at Balmoral in 2022, but at 3:10 in the afternoon, so thankfully it had nothing to do with breakfast.
Now let’s travel even further back to 1797, when Janet Keiller of Ballater was making quince preserves with Seville oranges and either left strips of orange peel in the recipe or simply forgot to remove them. Either way, it was a delicious mistake that marked the invention of what became known as chip marmalade, which eventually grew into a breakfast staple across the United Kingdom. Janet was clearly a jelly rock star and she and her son James formed James Keiller and Sons and became fabulously wealthy.
With all that money rolling in, the Keiller descendants decided to build a massive orange sandstone mansion on the outskirts of Ballater, Marmalade House. That orange-colored landmark is now the beautiful main building of what we know today as Craigendarroch Suites, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club. I find it to be the most distinctive property in the entire Hilton Grand Vacations portfolio. The rooms are modern and well-appointed, the views are excellent and the staff is superb. As a nod to history, the resort’s main restaurant is called The Keiller Brasserie & Lounge and it is very good. (I personally think the stylish bar should be called Janet’s Place to honor the woman who started it all, but I have no power over these matters here in the blogosphere.)
It’s worth noting that Balmoral Castle is a 50,000‑square‑foot, 52‑room house with 40 bedrooms set on 50,000 acres. Somehow, over all those years, they never managed to build a swimming pool. As a result, the late Diana, Princess of Wales and her two young sons, Princes William and Harry, reportedly made the short trip down the road to what is now Hilton Grand Vacations Craigendarroch to swim during their summer visits to Balmoral. I’m fairly certain Diana didn’t have any Hilton Grand Vacations Points to her name, it turns out very few royals do, so perhaps someone at the swim desk took pity and let them in for free. If you visit today, you can swim in the very same pool as Diana and the boys, though I’m confident the water has been changed since then. And while you’re there, have some marmalade.
Read “Spring Fling In Portugal: A Journey Through Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais And The Algarve” to learn about another Member’s fascinating European adventure.
Key Takeaways
Jelly as a British Breakfast Obsession: Marmalade’s cultural grip runs deep, especially in Scotland and England.
Royal Ties to Ballater: Balmoral Castle connects queens, tradition and a love of marmalade.
Marmalade as an Accidental Invention: A local Ballater recipe mistake helped create caip marmalade as we know it.
A Resort With a Deep History: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Craigendarroch Suites Scotland began as Marmalade House, built by the Keiller family.
FAQs
Q: What does marmalade have to do with Hilton Grand Vacations Craigendarroch?
A: The resort’s main building was once Marmalade House, built by descendants of the family who helped make Ballater famous for marmalade.
Q: What makes Hilton Grand Vacations Club Craigendarroch Suites Scotland stand out as a place to stay?
A: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Craigendarroch Suites Scotland blends distinctive historic architecture with modern accommodations, scenic Highland views and thoughtful nods to its past.
Q: Did members of the royal family visit Craigendarroch Suites, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club?
A: While staying at Balmoral, Princess Diana and her sons reportedly visited Craigendarroch Suites, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club to enjoy its swimming pool.
