Located in the remote wilderness of the picturesque Glen Shiel, which lies together the route to the Isle of Skye, The Cluanie Inn oozes rustic Scottish attraction and character, but with a fairly special Indian-inspired twist that shines via with some of the cuisine. The inn kinds part of Black Sheep Inns, a little team of boutique inns, lodges and places to eat in Lochaber and Inverness-shire, owned by Mumbai-based mostly hospitality corporation, Mars Hospitality Team.
The welcome
Immediately after a lengthy generate, we have been given a warm welcome by Sara on reception, in advance of being shown to our space personally. Almost everywhere was extremely homely and welcoming, with seating areas exactly where you can just sit and go through a guide or get pleasure from a wee dram – just like a common Scottish inn should be. We had been travelling with our pet dog for this trip, so were being also shown designated regions where four-legged friends could be exercised.
The home
We stayed in place 4 – a canine-helpful Highland Suite with a wood four poster bed. The décor is incredibly fitting with an old entire world attraction about it, tartan-esque wallpaper, all traditionally furnished with antique pottery and ornaments, and with Scottish artworks adorning the partitions.
Tea and coffee facilities and complimentary Highland Spring water are supplied, as is a assortment of journals – Nationwide Geographic Traveller, Nation Everyday living, Condé Nast Traveller and a guide to the finest places to pay a visit to in Skye and Lochalsh.
In the wardrobe there is a secure, and an ironing board and iron, and the in-area phone links to reception, housekeeping and the responsibility manager, to the spa at sister hotel The Whispering Pine Lodge, as effectively as to the various eating possibilities at each of the Black Sheep Lodges.
The home windows from the home glimpse out around the hills and on one particular night we had been fortunate ample to place wild deer correct exterior our window.
The lavatory
Our en suite rest room consisted of a large whirlpool bath, complete with jets and coloured lights, with a shower about it, as well as a basin and WC. Really do not be alarmed by the drinking water which can be brown in appearance – like a great deal of Scotland, the drinking water is derived from catchments dominated by balanced peatlands which are in truth naturally of higher excellent but do contain dissolved natural and organic carbon.
Supplied toiletries are from the Highland Soap Co. – aloe vera shampoo, entire body wash, conditioner and soap with a subtle, woody fragrance of wild nettle and heather. Gowns and slippers, and a hairdyrer, are also supplied.
The amenities
Inspired by the rugged life of Highlanders, The Cluanie Bar & Kitchen area serves mountain-influenced delicacies a menu of American and Scottish classics such as burgers, ribs and steaks, as very well as worldwide favourites, specifically Indian and pan-Asian alternatives. You can dine in the bar or dining locations – each offer a lively and casual ambience for travellers and locals alike.
The Chargrilled Broccoli Florets – broccoli marinated with yoghurt and garlic, topped with toasted pine nuts – are a wholesome and appetising option from the starters, while the Crunchy Lentil Bites served with a coconut mustard seed dip will be sure to satisfy the hungriest of walkers.
My favorite was the Trio of Prawns, Mussels and Calamari – seafood cooked in a chilli coriander broth served with a slice of grilled sourdough.
But look out also for the Cajun Hen Quesadillas – toasted tortillas with Cajun-spiced rooster, sweet peppers, red onion and Monterey Jack cheese – for an similarly enjoyable alternate.
Mains involve The Highlander Cheeseburger – chargrilled beef patty topped with cheese and served with fries, a range of pizzas these types of as the Out in the Wild pizza (chorizo, Italian sausage, ham, mozzarella and mustard greens) and a range of international specials.
The Dal Makhani is a classic North Indian gradual-cooked lentil curry that I can highly suggest. Alternatively try the Spaghetti Aglio e Olio – spaghetti tossed in garlic, olive oil, chilli flakes and Parmesan, with the selection to include rooster, prawns or salmon.
The personal bar is a pretty space to unwind, serving wines, beers and ciders, not to point out an considerable assortment of whisky.
Totally free WiFi is offered at The Cluanie Inn and we located that it worked very well in the course of the building, even with the distant site.
The inn also doubles as a self-support petrol station which I’m sure has been a welcome sight for a lot of a traveller frantically stressing about the future opportunity to re-gas. And throughout the highway, Black Sheep Hotels’ hottest addition is the Landour Bakehouse – a excellent prevent-off for freshly-baked goods, some from recipes relationship back again to the 1900s. The bakehouse receives its identify from the British-era cantonment of Landour, at an elevation of 7,000 toes in the Himalayas, the place Scottish citizens are reported to have when exchanged recipes and large-altitude baking guidelines, to start with by means of conversation but then subsequently in several editions of The Landour Cookbook.
The bakehouse is a relaxed and entertaining end-off inside a signal reads “We do not have WiFi. Chat to just about every other. Faux it’s 1895.” even though yet another with an arrow pointing up the highway reads “Complaints Section – 100 miles”.
Site
The Cluanie Inn is situated along the A87 in the Scottish Highlands, on the Moor of A’Chralaig on Glen Shiel, at the western end of Cluanie Loch. Walks are obtainable from the doorstep of the inn – within The Cluanie Estate – as well as on nearby hills and Munros like, among the some others, the 7 Munros of the South Glen Shiel Ridge.
1 of the nearest points of interest of notice is Eilean Donan Castle, which is a 30-moment generate absent and sits at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. This iconic 13th Century Scottish castle has highlighted in several an Instagram feed as well as films these as Highlander (1986) and James Bond – The Earth is Not Plenty of (1999).
Whilst in that place, we also took the option to check out the pretty village of Plockton and the Kyle of Lochalsh. Plockton enjoys a gentle weather by Scottish expectations, many thanks to going through east, away from the prevailing winds, and you will even see palm trees rising there.
Our travel from The Cluanie Inn in the opposite route to our subsequent prevent, Whispering Pine Lodge, was also incredibly picturesque with gorgeous loch views, the bonus of spotting a lone piper greet a compact tour enterprise, and the prospect for a beautiful woodland stroll in Glen Garry pinewoods managed by the Foresty Commission.
Other great touches
A welcome platter on arrival with fruit, cookies and the words ‘Welcome To The Inn….” penned in chocolate greeted us in our area on arrival.
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Expense
Glen Twin or Glen Double rooms get started from £130 for every evening.
The Highland Suite starts off from £168 per night.
The greatest little bit
While The Cluanie Inn is complete of rustic attraction, arguably the very best issue about it is its remote placing. Number of places in the British isles provide this amount of solitude – a exceptional Scottish wilderness that is about 30 minutes’ push from wherever of be aware, still is surrounded by 21 simply-obtainable Munros. The Glen Shiel valley is a place where you can really get away from it all.
Even while we are living relatively shut to the border with Scotland, our 6-7 hour travel to The Cluanie Inn can make you respect the vastness of Scotland, particularly when you take into consideration that it would acquire a further 4 hours nevertheless to generate to John O’Groats.
The remaining verdict
The Cluanie Inn is a welcome stopover for readers en route to Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, although also acting as a spot in its very own correct – not just for walkers intrigued in Munro-bagging but for company seeking a remote reprieve from the hustle and bustle of their standard daily life.
https://www.youtube.com/view?v=tnhr6Hv33T0
Disclosure: Our keep was courtesy of The Cluanie Inn from Black Sheep Motels.