Brigadoon in the Blue Ridge: The Luxuries of Virginia’s Primland
In the folklore of certain European countries, there often exists the tale of a wondrous locale that appears only sporadically – and only to those with good fortune.
Such was the premise of the postwar Broadway hit “Brigadoon” in which two American tourists on a hunting trip stumble upon a mysteriously beautiful Scottish village that appears only one day every century.
Even without knowledge of the Lerner and Loewe score, visitors who find their way to Primland, a 12,000-acre luxury resort atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in southern Virginia might start humming “Almost Like Being in Love.”
As the commonwealth’s tourism motto states, “Virginia is for lovers” – and Primland is a refulgent paradise for those who are lovers of nature, golf, hunting, and the eco-conscious sensibility associated with Native Americans.
Nearly two-thirds the size of Scotland, Primland is located 2,800 feet above the Dan River Gorge, which is often called “the Grand Canyon of Virginia.” Long-term residents of the region knew the area for its timber operations (and moonshine), as well as for its bountiful fishing and hunting, which attracted Didier Primat, a French entrepreneur (and a scion of the Schlumberger oil dynasty), who began purchasing tracts of land in 1977.
It’s the bluish tint of the evergreen trees that give the Blue Ridge Mountains their name and if you arrive at Primland in the early morning or at gloaming, the vistas across the mountaintops are as blue as rolling waves on the Aegean.
Primland initially received national attention for its celebrated golf course, which was designed by Donald Steel, the first architect since 1913 to lend a hand to St. Andrews in Scotland. Golf periodicals from around the world enthused about the Highland Course at Primland for its breathtaking panoramic vistas and the course’s mountaintop locale.
Opened in 2009, the Lodge at Primland took the art of luxury to new heights, with a location atop one of the region’s highest peaks. As you round the bend on the private Didier Primat Parkway, you glimpse through the trees a magnificent structure that puts you in mind of “Downton Abbey.”
The 72,000-square-foot, LEED-certified Lodge at Primland is, as General Manager Mara Bouvier contends, “the showpiece centerpiece of the property” with 26 guest rooms and suites, as well as a spa, indoor pool, fitness center, ballroom, game room, golf shop, theater, and two restaurants.
Visitors who enter into the Great Hall with its twin fireplaces and a 32-foot ceiling are likely to gape in wonder at the wall of windows with its spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Accented with wood, stone, marble, and mosaics, the capacious suites at the Lodge are the epitome of luxurious mountain lodge living, complete with living room, kitchen, and bedroom, master bath and powder room, and balcony. Outfitted with leather walls and Frette linens, automated Lutron shades, and an abundance of space, the suites at the Lodge afford stunning views onto Primland’s property.
A four-story silvery silo alongside the Lodge is actually the Observatory, which houses a 30-foot diameter astronomy dome, making Primland the only US resort to feature a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 telescope in an observatory. On clear evenings, guests at Primland can view galaxies more than 27 million light years away.
What Monsieur Primat sought in creating his luxurious retreat was a sense of escape in a remote setting. Or as Primland‘s motto states, “May your dreams carry you above and beyond.”
One of the more heavily-forested states in the US, Virginia, particularly in the southern part of the commonwealth, can evoke the Scottish highlands. There’s a deep tranquility at Primland, provoked by the rolling hills of blue and the lushly-forested valleys and an infinitude of blue sky. As you wander the property, either on the fairways of the golf course or along more than 90 miles of hiking and biking trails (which include sections of the Appalachian Trail), you’ll feel Primat’s desire to respect nature in a manner that honors the legacy of the eight Native American tribes that called Primland home.
Apart from the Lodge, accommodations at Primland include Primland Mountain Homes and three Fairway Cottages, constructed of indigenous materials and designed to reflect Virginia’s architectural heritage. The recent addition of the Golden Eagle Tree House, which clings to a precipice 2,000 above the Dan River Gorge, has proven so popular with guests that it’s nearly always occupied and plans are underway for two more tree homes.
With such an abundance of natural beauty, it’s possible to remain blissfully seated on the broad terraces of the Lodge for long stretches of time. Should you tire, however, of birdsong and the swooping of hawks and swallows and glimpses of deer, pheasant, quail, and turkey, there is a surfeit of activities available at Primland including fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, tennis, stargazing, sporting clays, wingshooting, hunting and ATV (all-terrain vehicle) trail riding.
Primland‘s focus on the Native American traditions of honor, love, and respect for the planet and all living things is beautifully balanced by the sincere hospitality of Primland‘s staff that exemplifies a region that has cultivated charm into an art form.
Primland‘s gifted staff includes a spa manager, a golf professional, an activities director, a trailmaster, and, unique among most American luxury resorts, a starmaster, who conducts Primland‘s celebrated “Tour of the Universe,” which takes place on clear nights.
For those fortunate enough to be in attendance on one of Primland‘s stargazing evenings, there’s an unmistakable sense of awe at witnessing the observatory dome slide open and rotate in tandem with the telescope as the celestial heavens are revealed.
With a wave of his laser pointer, Primland‘s starmaster touches the distant galaxies – and like that, the stars, planets, and nebulae, all millions of light years away, are within a finger’s grasp.
“Look deep into nature,” wrote Einstein, “and then you will understand everything better.” At Primland, you gaze deeply – and with a renewed sense of wonder.
High atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in southern Virginia alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll find your own Brigadoon in a place called Primland.
Additional Information:
The Spa at Primland: According to the Native American legend of Shenandoah, the Virginia locale was so beautiful that the stars in the heavens placed their most precious jewels in the river and valley.
The Spa at Primland honors the Native American belief in the interconnectedness of the outer world with the interior world of mind, body, and spirit. A board-certified doctor of naturopathy, who is a descendant of the Choctaw Indian tribe, supervises Native American rituals and ceremonies.
The Primland signature massage, for example, is an amalgam of European spa rituals and Native American healing practices, including the use of feathers and tribal animal cards. Apart from treatments, private classes are offered in yoga, Pilates, meditation, and Chi Kung.
In keeping with the Native American belief that turquoise is the most sacred stone, turquoise is evident throughout the Spa at Primland. Believed to be a fragment of the sky that has fallen to earth, turquoise is considered to be the stone of eternal youth. A respite at the Spa at Primland is the next best thing.
Dining at Primland: Under the direction of Executive Chef Gunnar Thompson, the Lodge at Primland house two restaurants: the 19th Hole and Elements (which requires jackets for gentlemen in the evenings). A third restaurant, the Stables Saloon, is built atop Primland’s old stables and is particularly popular for those who enjoy feeding on the fruits of the hunt.
A 12-person Chef’s Table in the kitchen at Elements is available for a nine-course tasting menu – with wine pairings, if desired – and cooking classes are also available.
The kitchens at Primland focus on seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients from local growers and purveyors. Many of the sustainable ingredients are harvested from Primland’s organic garden – though, one of the most popular items of the menu is called “Pig Candy,” which addresses the nation’s obsession with bacon and is certain to please any and all bacon addicts.
The Highland Course at Primland: One of the nation’s few golf courses certified by Audubon International for its eco-conscious concerns, the Highland Course at Primland is situated high above the Dan River Gorge and the Pinnacles of Dan.
Designed by Donald Steel, the Highland Course at Primland meanders over the mountain landscape, with breathtaking views over ridge tops and deep into lush valleys. The course’s numerous accolades include its top ranking by “Golf Digest,” “Golfweek,” and “Travel and Leisure Golf,” which designated the Highland Course as one of “America’s 10 Best New Courses.”
At nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, the Highland Course achieves an effortless balance between golf and nature – and is nothing less than the earthly equivalent of golfers’ heaven.
Getting There: Primland is approximately two hours by car from the Charlotte airport. From Greensboro and Roanoke, the drive is about ninety minutes. The private Blue Ridge Airport is less than 45 minutes from Primland‘s gates.
