The still waters of Loch Lomond shimmer under the morning sun, their surface mirroring the rugged beauty of the surrounding Highlands. Here, in one of the UK’s most stunning landscapes, tranquillity is about to be shattered by the noise of an SUV thundering along the glorious roads, escaping from the ordinary.
Except this SUV is silent, powered by nothing but electricity. There’s no engine roar, no vibrations or rattles, and no fumes from a noisy exhaust. I’m in the new Lexus RZ 300e, arriving at Cameron House
, the five-star luxury hotel and golf resort that will be my home for my time in Scotland.
Perched on the edge of Loch Lomond, this 18th-century haven embodies all the historic charm and traditional elegance you would expect from a luxury Scottish retreat. The towering gothic windows, wood-panelled corridors, and kilted doormen create an atmosphere that blends heritage with a warm, welcoming sophistication.
Cameron House — ravaged by a devastating fire in 2017 — offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Its rooms range from classic accommodation in the Auld House to apartments in a contemporary building added during the rebuild, alongside turreted suites and exclusive lodges.
They all radiate warmth and reflect modern Scottish design, with rich tartans, leather accents, plush bedding, and luxurious toiletries all curated to enhance comfort. Glenmorangie whiskey, Scottish fudge, and a few shortbread biscuits welcome me into my room. It feels personal, not corporate, and leaves me feeling welcome and appreciated.
The luxury extends far beyond a simple (or extravagant) hotel room. An evening Champagne cruise aboard the hotel’s private yacht, the Celtic Warrior, offers a serene journey over Loch Lomond’s 24-mile stretch. It was the perfect way to relax after a mildly adventurous ride along the loch’s coastal paths and roads on an electric bike, exploring the rugged beauty of Trossachs National Park. For golf enthusiasts, the UK’s most prestigious courses are nearby, and for a truly unique experience, a seaplane ride provides breathtaking views of the lochs and mountains from above.
For those seeking a culinary journey, Cameron House provides multiple options. The Cameron Grill, the resort’s signature restaurant, highlights Scottish cuisine with local produce like West Coast lobster and Aberdeenshire lamb. La Vista, overlooking the marina and loch, offers modern Italian dishes alongside classics, while The Tavern provides a more informal space for hearty food. The Michelin-starred Tamburrini & Wishart restaurant closed in 2023, leaving the nearest fine dining choices a 45-minute journey from the hotel.
The Great Scots Bar is the perfect place to finish the day, providing panoramic views of Loch Lomond that pair perfectly with a dram of whisky or two. The lengthy whiskey menu is matched by rare wines, all served by staff who know what they’re talking about.
Lexus designers also know what they’re talking about. The bold spindle grille found on many Lexus models is missing on the RZ 300e, the electric motor not needing to breathe so much cool air as something with a petrol engine. The slab-fronted result isn’t as elegant, but it works well and stands as a point of differentiation from the swarms of Audi, BMW and Mercedes SUVs on the roads.
The RZ 300e is the follow-up to the Lexus RZ 450e. The numbers mean nothing, apart from suggesting one is more powerful than the other. That holds true, as the 450e has twin electric motors driving all four wheels. The new 300e loses the rear motor and, with it, a bit of performance. It’s no slouch, with the 204hp motor enabling the car to hit 62mph in eight seconds — when was the last time you needed something quicker? — but it’s notably slower than the 450e’s 5.3 seconds.
Where it does gain is on range, or how far it can go on one charge of the battery, adding 25 miles and reaching as far as 297 miles in total. There’s no new battery pack; the 300e uses the same 71.4kWh unit (with 64kWh of that being useable) as its sportier sibling, but efficiency gains and lower weight make the difference. New 18-inch alloy wheels help, too, but also add to the excellent ride quality, with the RZ gliding over the Scottish bumps and potholes.
And, despite having ‘only’ 204hp, it makes good progress on these glorious roads. We’re outside the usual tourist season, and it’s not raining, so they’re quiet, dry, and with good visibility and sightlines, allowing us to make swift progress with exceptional refinement. Efficiency averaged 3.1 miles per kWh, despite my heavy right foot, which translates to around 205 miles of real-world range — not great, and a long way from the promised 297 miles, but perfectly adequate for a scenic Scottish adventure. You’ll do better on regular day-to-day driving.
Inside, Lexus excels with a meticulously crafted interior that prioritises comfort and usability. The split-opening centre console exemplifies the thoughtful design, allowing unrestricted access whether driving or being a passenger. It’s a little thing, but it makes a difference.
Elsewhere, the ‘Tazuna concept’ cockpit design ensures that essential controls are easily accessible within a small range of hand or eye movements, apparently inspired by the small adjustments of the reins a rider uses to control a horse. It’s all supported by a 14-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, although that’s somewhat less successful than Lexus might like. Still, there’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you can avoid the rather unintuitive system and use your own maps, music streaming, and apps.
The cabin is so well isolated from the outside that it’s as serene as the calm loch waters. Wind noise is kept at bay, the roar from the tyres is dulled to a faint murmur, and the near-silent electric powertrain never makes its presence felt.
It feels tranquil and luxurious, as if it’s a mobile extension of Cameron House itself.
Lexus RZ 300e Premium Plus
Price: £54,595
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
Cameron House Hotel
Price: From £350
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.