The Invergarry Hotel (Invergarry Hotel (Invergarry))

Member Name: micksheff

Product:	Invergarry Hotel (Invergarry)
Date:	18/10/08 (142 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely setting

Disadvantages: Restaurant gets very busy and pre-booking is often necessary

The Invergarry Hotel lies beside the A87 which is often referred to as "The road to the Isles". It lies within Glen Garry and the River Garry runs alongside the A87 on the opposite side of the road. All of the rooms at the front of the hotel have wonderful views overlooking the river, although it could be argued that the rooms at the back are quieter. Whilst this argument is doubtless true all of the windows are double glazed and therefore I would personally request a room at the front.

I haven't actually stayed here so I cannot comment on the accommodation side although from the outside the residential areas look very nice and I have peered through the windows into the residents bar on numerous occasions. I have however visited the public bar here many times and I have also eaten in the restaurant.

The public bar is very cosy and has the feel of a real country pub. When I visited in August 2008 the open fires were not lit but one can quite easily imagine them roaring away on a cold winter's night. According to the brochure most of the rooms feature real log fires too.

The restaurant adjoins the main bar. It is quite a large room capable of holding around 100 diners but each time I have been here it has been full. Indeed when I did eat here I pre-booked on the advise of the bar man who told me that if I just turned up and expected a table than I would probably be disappointed.

The food isn't particularly cheap. I paid £18.95 for local Beef pudding that came with boiled potatoes and a selection of fresh vegetables. It was however cooked to perfection and therefore was worth every penny. The portion was not especially large either, which at first was a slight cause for concern considering the price but I was soon to discover that there was an endless supply of fresh vegetables, including potatoes so I think it will be fair to say that I got my moneys worth.

The Hotel itself is steeped in history and dates from 1885. It was originally the seat of the Clan Macdonnell, built by Edward Ellice who later purchased the nearby Glengarry Estate and its castle from the Macdonnells. It was then used as a stagecoach inn and today still retains much of its original charm and character. The present owners purchased the hotel in 2006 and are very much involved in its everyday running, they can often be seen pulling pints in the public bar or clearing tables in the restaurant.

The hotel also owns the entire fishing rights to over 3 miles of the River Garry and nearby Loch Oich. Fishing permits can be obtained from the hotel. The River Garry is especially noted for its vast numbers of Salmon and Brown Trout.

Overall a lovely place.

Summary: A small hotel near Loch Ness