grandfather mountain bed and breakfast

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games bed and breakfast

There is an ancient connection between the Scottish Isles, The Baird House bed and breakfast and these Appalachian mountains. John Baird left his ancestral home in Scotland in 1650 and sailed the Atlantic to New Jersey. 135 years later John’s grandson, Ezekiel Baird, traveled from New Jersey with his wife settling in what is now Valle Crucis building their home which is now the Baird House Bed and Breakfast inn ( the oldest house in the county ) near Boone, NC. As time progressed more people of Scottish & Irish ancestry settled in this area bringing with them a culture rich in music and tradition.

Probably the most influential family in this part of the Blue Ridge is that of Hugh MacRae who, in the late 1800’s bought & developed land in and around Grandfather Mountain. Following his death his family was instrumental in starting what is now one of the largest gathering of the Scottish clans in the world. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is a 4 day celebration of music, food, sporting events and dancing beginning Thursday July 8th. Make your plans to attend the games and make your reservations to stay at the Baird House, a Grandfather Mountain bed and breakfast, a 20 minute drive from the games. Grandfather Mountain is close to many an Asheville bed and breakfast, about an hour and a half drive.

grandfather mountain bed and breakfast

Our guests’ 6 favorite places on the property

We moved here in October 1997 & officially opened for business April 1, 1998. We’re blessed to have many returning guests who, upon checking in, go to the first favorite place which is the dining room table. It is here where they find the famous and cherished homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Favorite place #2 would be the dining tables where we serve a large hot breakfast daily. We really do try to serve a breakfast big enough so that guests won’t have to eat lunch somewhere. Not only are Deede’s breakfasts out of this world delicious but people genuinely enjoy meeting & socializing with others at the table(s).

The third favorite place ( during Spring, Summer & Fall ) are the porches which overlook the pasture into the river or directly into the river or overlook the barn and the upper pasture. This is the only Boone bed and breakfast on the river. It is common for people to sit in the rockers or cushioned chairs to read, watch the river go by, look for deer beside/in/crossing the river right in front of the inn. Newly made friends from breakfast also gather for more socializing. It’s not uncommon for guests to enjoy their fav adult beverages there (porch medicine).

Next is the hammock, out front,in the shade,under the cedar trees. That says it all.

The #4 place is anywhere along the river ( which actually is our front yard )especially directly in front of the main house. Gabby, our 1/2 Golden Retreiver and 1/2 Yellow Lab, loves it when people throw rocks into the river … she jumps in and finds a rock then brings it up on the bank then waits,tail wagging, for another rock to be thrown in. This is the only Valle Crucis bed and breakfast on the river.

Finally, the firepit. We keep lots of firewood on hand and when guests request a fire we can get one blazing in 10 to 15 minutes. Nights are often cool in the summer and a lot of wood goes up in smoke during  June, July and August. Like moths to a flame are people to the firepit when we light it up. A good spot to close out the day, especially with a glass of wine.

We tell people that we can keep them as busy as they want to be or as relaxed as they want to be. These 6 places  definately fall under the “Relaxed” category.