INVERLOCHY CASTLE, Fort William, Inverness-shire
Inverlochy Castle was built around 1892. The original 13th-century Inverlochy Castle, which was one of the few that escaped destruction by Robert the Bruce, is now a picturesque ruin which lies just a couple of miles down the road from its present namesake.
It really is gorgeous. Situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and surrounded by five hundred acres of fabulously landscaped gardens, leading down to its own loch. There are enough activities in and around Inverlochy to satisfy most tastes. Walking is one of the most popular activities and the area has more than its share of great walking country soaked in the dramatic, often tragic, history of the Highlands.
There's much to see and do in and around Inverlochy itself. You can learn the ancient art of Falconry, go clay pigeon shooting or enjoy traditional Scottish pursuits such as salmon fishing (in season), grouse shooting and deer stalking. Some of the best skiing in Scotland is on the nearby mountain of Aonach Mor only four miles from Inverlochy Castle, where the country's first gondola was installed in 1989
FARLEYER HOUSE HOTEL, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
Another fine hotel. Farleyer House started life in the 16th century as a humble croft on the old castle Menzies estate at Aberfeldy overlooking the beautiful Tay Valley. Following the 1745 rebellion, when Charles Stuart was given refuge in the Castle, the croft was enlarged to become the bailiff's residence. Later, it was again enlarged to its present size to become the main residence for the head of the Clan Menzies.
Farleyer House has a distinctively homely atmosphere. Its sitting rooms, furnished with antiques, comfortable armchairs, shelves of books and paintings on the walls, plus real log fires, feels more like a large private country home than a hotel. It really is a delightful place.
A brisk 5-mile walk will take you to Kenmore, one of the most beautifully situated villages in Scotland, overlooking Loch Tay. The 16th-century village inn claims to be the oldest in Scotland. Robbie Burns was here in 1787 and verses he wrote about Kenmore are preserved on a chimney-piece.
Another fun thing to do is to explore the surrounding hills on all-terrain vehicles - four-by-four single seaters which will take you where other vehicles fear to tread. The hotel can arrange this for you. Other activites at Farleyer include grouse, pheasant and duck shooting, clay shooting and archery. And if you are there at Hogmanay you'll be in for some traditional Scottish dancing.
TAYCHREGGAN HOTEL, Loch Awe, Argyll
Taychreggan Hotel is an old stone house which has rested on the shores of Loch Awe for the past 300 years. Most of the beautifully appointed bedrooms overlook the loch and there's a nice sense of style about the whole place. As with the other two hotels, close attention is paid to the preparation and presentation of food. They are just as proud of what they call their "shameful" range of malt whiskies - morethan fifty in all.
If you really really want to get away from it all you can do it here. Taychreggan is a particularly peaceful place. You wake up in the morning to the sound of gently lapping water and bird calls you can't recognize. It's a bird-watchers paradise, with over ninety species in the area.
If climbing is your thing, this is the place to be. The Munros are separate mountains over 3000 feet and there are more than 20 within ninety minutes drive from the Taychreggan Hotel. Arrangements can made for you to go sea fishing and diving (from March to December), horse riding, shooting and fishing, and even microlighting and gliding. Pike fishing is all year round and Taychreggan has two boats, with or without outboards, for the use of guests, so why not try your luck?
FURTHER INFORMATION:
INVERLOCHY CASTLE:
CONTACT: Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, Fort William, Scotland, PH33 6SN. Tel: 01397 702177. Fax: 01397 702953.
FARLEYER HOUSE HOTEL -
CONTACT: Farleyer House Hotel, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, PH15 2JE. Tel: 01887-820332 Fax: 01887-829430. For details and brochure telephone The Virgin Hotel Collection Central Reservations freephone number on 0800 716919.
TAYCHREGGAN HOTEL
CONTACT: Taychreggan Hotel, Kilchrenan, By Taynuilt, Argyll PA35 1HQ, Scotland. Tel: 01866-833211/366. Fax: 01866-833244. For details and brochure telephone The Virgin Hotel Collection Central Reservations freephone number on 0800 716919.
Cathy Smith - I have Miss McGinn to thank for my becoming a writer. I was in her class for only two years from age nine to eleven. In what we called ...
