We spent 9 days in Scotland and this hotel was a highlight. We only stayed there for one night in May but would have loved to have stayed there for an extended visits. I recommend this hotel for many reasons:
• The tree-lined drive to the hotel entrance is flanked on one side by a picturesque duck pond and on the other side by a walled flower garden. Note that you will have use your room key to access the garden.
• An unexpected bonus were giant Sequoia trees and a sculpture carved out of an old tree.
• The hotel itself is an architecturally interesting building with a central three-story building flanked by two-story wings. A portion of the building dates back to the 1500s; however, the main portion of the building was built by the Forbes family in the 1700s. The central three-story Georgian building is covered with ivy.
• The hotel is historically interesting as Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here as did his headquarters the night before the Battle of Culloden. If you are visiting the battle site then this completes your historical experience.
• This hotel should be on the bucket list of any Outlander fan as a very important episode of that series is centered on the Culloden House. A different but similar house was actually used for the film set.
• As many have noted, the interior of the hotel is magnificent and decorated to fit the period. As many have noted, the Adams Lounge is a comfortable room to enjoy a beverage of your choice. I chose to sample one of their many Scotch drinks, a single malt Talisker, which was wonderful. While you wait in the lounge, they will bring you the menu and let you make you selection before being seated.
• You pass through the drawing room before being seated in the dining room. Both have interesting period plaster relief decorations. The dining room is somewhat formal and it is important to realize that there is a dress code that does not allow trainers (sneakers) and requires collared shirts for men. When asked the front desk said that there is not a specific dress code for women. One website states that jeans are not allowed; however, this is not true as I specifically asked if they were allowed. In sum, I consider the dress code to be smart casual.
• The rooms come in various sizes and configurations so it is difficult to review rooms; however, our room was very large with a comfortable bed and two bathrooms. The bathrooms were both modern with good water pressure and abundant hot water. The rooms and bedding were very clean.
• The service is outstanding. Like everyone else, we enjoyed the humor and wit of Kyle.
In sum, I give my strongest recommendation for this hotel. It would be suitable for either one night or as a base to explore the Inverness area. If I were returning to Scotland for a second visit, I would stay here again and I would be especially interested in staying here during the fall when the ivy is changing colors. It is important to note that this hotel would not be the best choice for those with who are not able to use stairs as there is no ramp at the entrance and the hotel does not have a lift. A minor quibble is that the service is a bit over attentive to our tastes as the staff do stand at the end of the room watching you dine to be sure that you do not need anything. For some diners, who like this type of service, this may be preferable. Finally, I thought that at least one fireplace such as in the drawing room could have been lit to take off the slight chill and add to the warmth of a very large room.
