Rufflets was designed by Dundee architect Donald Mills in 1924, a respected architect with works including the University Hall for St. Andrews University. Her client was Anne Brydon Gilroy, the widow of a jute magnate. Her initials are inscribed as “ABG 1924” in the south garden portal's keystone, now treated as a memento of her past ownership.
The design follows that of a turreted mansion house, integrating conventions found in Scottish baronial styles. This explains the symmetry and stonework of the main manor building, before any expansions were done in the decades that followed. Since its conversion into a hotel in 1952, the core architectural character of Rufflets has been preserved and enhanced. While the symmetry was altered, the style, scale, and compositional relationship to the surrounding gardens and woodland remained intact. New wings and buildings, though built using modern techniques and following contemporary layouts, complement the original house's design.
The interior spaces embrace current-day aesthetics, though old architecture is tastefully integrated into the overall themes. A notable example is the entranceway and reception desk with its two arched portals. Newer buildings, such as the shepherd huts, instead have a rustic and adventurous ambiance, creating a charming contrast with the manor's refined countenance. Also part of the hotel's modernization includes accessibility for elderly and impaired guests. Several rooms are designated as wheelchair-friendly and come equipped with features like grab rails for assistance.
