Bunchrew House Inverness

Bunchrew House is a living example of 16th-century architecture. There are few 400-year-old buildings in the Highlands today. Offering similar levels of luxury today Bunchrew House is a place where you are always surrounded by history.

When you’re planning to visit Inverness and you’re looking to stay in a four-star hotel, there are a few to choose from. As you would expect from any hotel with four stars, they’re all good. So your choice will come down to which hotel suits your purpose.

We can’t speak for the others, of course, so let us tell you some of the reasons people visit Bunchrew House Hotel – and come back again! You’ll find Bunchrew House Hotel just outside Inverness on the road to Beauly.

The hotel nestles quietly in its own grounds on the southern shore of the Beauly Firth. This is a quiet place, removed just far enough away from the bustle of Inverness city center without being too far away from it.

The hotel is noted locally as a lovely venue for weddings and has built a reputation as such. However, when VisitScotland granted the hotel a “Four Star Country House Hotel” grading, it was for much more than just the ability to host a memorable wedding day!

Five Star Views
It’s often said that location is everything. At Bunchrew House Hotel, you’ll find the location means some stunning views. Even when it’s raining! With an unspoiled view to the north and west, you can enjoy some spectacular sunsets.

This is one of those hotels where the experience is memorable. That’s why people enjoy visiting so much they want to come back. To make Bunchrew House Hotel one of your memorable experiences, click here to book today!

The Early Days (1505 – 1622)
Bunchrew comes from the old Gaelic word ‘Buncrev’ or ‘Buncrieve’ meaning the ‘root of the tree’ or ‘the wooded slope’. The house was started as far back as 1505 by Alexander of Lovat, but then had just two rooms.

It would have been the type of dwelling known at the time as a “black house” and the family would have lived in it along with their animals. There is a fine reconstruction of this type of house at the Battlefield at Culloden.

The original wall still stands behind the wood panelling in the Drawing Room. The House was enlarged to near its present state by Simon the eighth Lord Lovat, for his wife Lady Jane Stuart, a cousin of the Earl of Moray. It was completed in 1621.

Lady Jane’s Habit
The house was built largely due to the ambition of Lady Jane who had her husband build two grand houses – one at Dalcross and one at Bunchrew.

Although she preferred Bunchrew as a residence she had Dalcross (near where Inverness airport stands today) built in order to keep up with her cousin who was at that time building Castle Stuart (also near the airport). All three residences were finished in 1621.

Sadly Lady Jane did not live long to enjoy her two houses and died at Bunchrew in 1622. The cause of her death is not certain – it might have been perfectly innocent or just perhaps, she might have asked her husband to build her another house!

The Recent Past
The House became an hotel in 1986 and was opened by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, then Scottish Secretary of State. Its character has been largely retained and visitors can enjoy the comfort and extremely relaxing and welcoming ambience and imagine how it must have been to live there in a different time.

We have had many famous visitors including controversial author Andrew Morton, Ted Danson and Joely Richardson (when they were filming Loch Ness), World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, singer Belinda Carlisle, Penelope Keith and Iain Banks, award-winning Scottish author, to name but a few.

Ghostly presence
Bunchrew is an old house and like all such houses when she settles down for the night, your senses can play all sorts of tricks on you. You might hear a soft clink or creak or scrape and fool yourself that you’ve seen something move out of the corner of your eye.

Chances are that it’s just the sound of the last dying embers dropping in the fires, or floorboards contracting or a shadow thrown by a lamp…….. or is it??? It just might be that you’ve been privileged to experience Isobel, our elderly and extremely benign ghost who occasionally walks the corridors at night.

She is the long deceased daughter of Sir Gilbert Ogilvie of Powrie and wife to Kenneth 12th Chief of the Clan MacKenzie. Apart from her nocturnal ramblings she has a favourite table in the restaurant – we won’t tell you which one until you’re seated!

Rooms at Bunchrew
Bunchrew’s luxury 4 star hotel rooms in Inverness are individually decorated and have their own unique character and sense of style. The rooms do not have numbers but are named after local places and Scottish clans associated with the House.

In each room you will be surrounded by opulence and history with all the modern amenieties one would would expect from a luxury country house hotel. Small touches such as fresh milk being left in your fridge daily adds to the homely atmosphere.

Some rooms have four poster beds, some have stunning views over the water, while others look out over the gardens and the Loving Tree, the ancient Cedar of Lebanon.. One has its own conservatory while another has a whirlpool bath.

Whichever room you stay in, you will not be disappointed; the peaceful location and clean, clear air, not forgetting the comfortable beds, will assure you of a good night’s sleep.

Premium Rooms
Our 4 Premium Rooms are all different in size and decor. They are our largest rooms – minimum size 320 square feet (30 square metres).

All have sea views and en-suite bathrooms. Each has a TV and free wi-fi, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Two of our Premium Rooms are in the oldest part of the House, dating back to the 17th century.

Superior Rooms
Our 5 Superior Rooms are all different in size and decor, a minimum size of 210 square feet (20 square metres). Two have lovely views towards the Beauly-firth and the other three overlook the gardens. Each has a TV and free wi-fi, plus tea and coffee-making facilities.

Classic Rooms
Our 7 Classic Rooms are all different in size and decor. They have a minimum size of 180 square feet (17 square metres). Three overlook the Beauly Firth and the rest have fine views of our gardens. All have en-suite bathrooms, a TV and free wi-fi, plus tea and coffee making facilities.

Wine & Dine At Bunchrew House
Dining at Bunchrew House is a real experience. Our wood-panelled restaurant has fabulous views over the water to the Black Isle and the mountains beyond and when dining with us during the summer you’ll often see the most magnificent sunsets and in winter the twinkling lights of the Kessock Bridge.

Two Rosette Dining
Every meal, from breakfast in the morning, through afternoon teas and dinner at night, is prepared and served with a little bit of style and panache. Tables are laid “old school” with crystal glasses and silver cutlery on proper linen tablecloths.

This is the sort of hotel you come to when you want to unwind. Whether as part of a longer visit to Scotland or a business trip to the city of Inverness. This is a place where you can shrug off the cares of the day, take a stroll in the gardens, relax in front of a roaring log fire and soak up the atmosphere.

Indeed, atmosphere and character is something this hotel has aplenty! This isn’t a shiny new four-star city hotel. It’s an old mansion house. It’s not full to the brim with tour groups. You come down to breakfast in the morning to find a table waiting for you.

The original parts of this building date back to 1621. So there’s a wee bit of pedigree developed since then. Certainly one worthy of the four-star hotel grading. There are dinner inclusive packages available so you can experience the beautifully prepared dinner for yourself!

Public Rooms 
Our Drawing Room is the heart of the House and exudes an air of easy comfort and relaxation, with dark wood-panelling and fire-places at both ends of the room. Log fires (and central heating!) mean that when the wind is whistling outside and snow is on the ground, you can sink back in your chair and feel warm and secure.

This room is the oldest part of the house, with an original wall from 1505 hidden behind the panelling. A stone plaque dated 1621 over one fire-place records the marriage of Simon the eighth Lord Lovat and Lady Jane Stuart, a cousin of the Earl of Moray.

Our Cocktail Bar is cosy and welcoming – just the place to relax and unwind in front of the log fire with one of our fine malt whiskies. The windows look out onto the gardens and in particular The Loving Tree.

The Mackenzie Room is used as a small dining room for parties of up to 14 or as a meeting room. It has a log fire and fine views over the Beauly Firth.

Bunchrew grounds and gardens
The garden has lovely rolling lawns surrounded by mature shrubs and magnificent trees. Pride of place belongs to our 250 year old Cedar of Lebanon, locally known as the The Loving Tree. A holly tree at the edge of our top lawn is claimed to be the oldest in Scotland.

Many specimen trees were planted more than a century ago and small signs are pinned to many of them indicating the species. We also have our own herb garden which ensures a constant supply of fresh herbs for the kitchen.

Bunchrew is a haven for wildlife and the garden is home to huge numbers of birds and animals. We have a resident family of red squirrels, and pine martens, brown hares and roe deer are regular visitors.

Owls and buzzards nest in the trees and the shore beside the House teems with wading birds including herons from the near by heronry. In the summer months a family of ospreys regularly fishes only yards from our sea wall. On occasion seals and dolphins can be spotted in the Firth.

Guests are encouraged to take tea and refreshments on the front lawn or on the rear lawn nest to The Firth. Paths lead through the woodlands and around the estate.

Weddings
We are delighted that you are considering Bunchrew House Hotel for your wedding celebration. With two AA rosettes and a recommendation from Michelin, you will understand why we have gained a deserved reputation for fine food.

We pursue these high standards, whether it be in creating an intimate dinner for two, or a wedding meal for 92. We are very proud to be using such fabulous, locally sourced Scottish produce from our trusted suppliers in the Highlands, and all of our dishes are expertly prepared by our kitchen team.

Your wedding meal is an important part of your wedding celebrations. We will be delighted to help, and advise you on your choices.

Many weddings follow the traditional pattern of a set menu, but if required, we are able to offer a choice of two starters, two main courses and two desserts as well as a vegetarian and vegan options.

The many wedding couples we have served over the years have told us how much they appreciated our personal approach in helping them decide on all aspects of their big day.

Those opting for an exclusive use wedding have often said how wonderful it was to feel like the lord and lady of the house, with all of our team dedicated to serving them and their family and friends!

Things to do
When you visit Inverness, Bunchrew House is the perfect place to base yourself whatever your interests might be.

There is so much to see and do in the area – fabulous castles and historic places of interest – superb golf courses (including Castle Stuart) – the finest stalking or fishing – walking or cycling through some of the best natural scenery in the world – skiing at two of Scotland’s main slopes – full calendar of special events such as Highland Games.

Cycling
Cycling in the Highlands is extremely popular with many miles of quiet Forestry tracks and road. The Great Glen Way goes from Fort William in the south west to Inverness and follows the Caledonian Canal route and all the main Great Glen Lochs, including Loch Ness.

Great Glen Cycle Route Location – A82 between Fort William and Inverness Length/Difficulty – 80 miles but can be broken into sections, up to 20 hours, Easy to Difficult Special Features – This linear route takes you along forest tracks, canal tow-paths and purpose built cycle trails through the stunning scenery of the Great Glen. Try the whole route or just a short section. Shops, pubs and toilets along the way.

Cruise on Loch Ness
Take a half day trip down world-famous Loch Ness and visit Urquhart Castle. The northern end of Loch Ness is about 10 minutes drive from Bunchrew House.

A drive down one side of the Loch and back along the other is a good day out for sight-seeing. It is also possible to fish on Loch Ness with the necessary permits which we can arrange. Historic Scotland’s award-winning visitor centre at Urquhart Castle ruin near Drumnadrochit is well worth a visit.

Distilleries
Scotland is the home of the ‘water of life’ (‘uisge beatha’ in the gaelic tongue) or Scotch Whisky as most of the world knows it. The purest water and finest barley are combined to produce an amber nectar which other countries can only view with envy.

Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, The Macallan, Glen Ord, Balvenie – the names roll off the tongue and are just some of the fine examples of a unique drink which once appreciated can give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

Bunchrew is near to several Highland distilleries – our local whisky is Glen Ord and we are only an hour’s drive from the famous ‘Malt Whisky Trail’.

Dolphins Cruise
The Moray Firth is home to a resident colony of 150 bottle nose dolphins, plus porpoise, seal and the occasional orca or minke whale. Special dolphin watching boat trips run throughout the summer months leaving from Inverness and Avoch. Perhaps the best trip however is with Ecoventures in Cromarty.

They operate all the year round, weather permitting, and as well as offering you an excellent chance of spotting these magical creatures, will take you close to huge sea-bird colonies.

The dolphins are very sociable creatures and can be remarkably unafraid of humans but on occasion they will not come up to the boats at all. That is their right as wild animals and all three boat companies operate a voluntary policy of not crowding these magnificent beasts.

If you don’t fancy or can’t fit in a boat trip, it is also possible to watch from the shore. Good vantage points are North and South Kessock, Nairn Beach, Fort George and Chanonry Point.

Golfing
Within 90 minutes’ drive of Bunchrew you will find 25 golf courses – to suit all standards of player from the deadly serious whose desire is to pit their skills against the toughest courses, to the occasional golfer who just enjoys getting out in the fresh air. Here are some of our favourites courses:-

Royal Dornoch Championship (50 minutes)
A links course to match the best – regularly in the world’s top twenty and a true test of skill – especially when the wind blows

Castle Stuart Golf Links (15 minutes)

A championship links course overlooking the Moray Firth and well-known landmarks that are synonymous with Inverness and the Black Isle – Kessock bridge and Chanonry Lighthouse perhaps the most notable.

Nairn (20 minutes)
Nairn Golf Club & Nairn Dunbar Golf Club – Nairn is one of the best courses in Scotland – regularly hosts championships and was the venue for the 1999 Walker Cup match. Nairn Dunbar has also hosted many national events – Northern Open and Senior Open Amateur Championship to name a couple.

Boat of Garten (35 minutes)
Fabulous setting in the shadow of the stunning Cairngorm Mountains – near the famous Loch Garten ospreys.

Inverness (10 minutes)
Long established parkland course – great test of golf in the Highland Capital

Fortrose and Rosemarkie (20 minutes)
One of the Highlands’ hidden gems – a course almost totally encircled by the sea – stunning views from every tee – the famous Moray Firth dolphins can often be seen from the first 8 fairways

Strathpeffer (25 minutes)
Real Highland golf, not long but probably one of the most difficult courses to score on – first nine are a real climb but it’s worthwhile when you see the spectacular views from the top

Aigas (20 minutes)
9 holes, but a joy – hidden amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the Highlands right beside the river Beauly.

Shooting
The shooting in the Highlands is excellent, – grouse, partridge, pheasant, rough shooting and of course stalking. We can put you in touch with the experts up here who’ll look after your every need. We can provide packed lunches, secure gun storage and drying facilities

Whether you stay with us for shooting or fishing, you’ll find that Bunchrew makes the perfect place to return to after a hard day by the river or on the hill. Roaring log fires, fabulous 2 Rosette food and a fine selection of wines and whiskies will warm your cockles and make a perfect end to your day.

Sight-seeing from Bunchrew
The area is steeped in history. Close by is Culloden – site of the last battle ever fought on British soil in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hopes of taking over the Scottish throne were dashed by ‘Butcher Cumberland’. The Culloden Visitor Centre is highly recommended.

There are inhabited castles at Cawdor, Brodie and Dunrobin. Fifteen minutes drive away is the world famous Loch Ness of monster fame.

The vistor centre at Urquhart Castle beside Loch Ness is definitely worth a visit as is Loch Ness 2000 – the official story of Nessie. Or take a boat trip down the Caledonian Canal and onto Loch Ness with Jacobite Cruises.

In Reelig Glen, just 5 miles from Bunchrew, stands Dughall Mor, a Douglas Fir, which has recently been confirmed as the tallest tree in Britain (if not Europe!) at over 64 metres, 210 feet.

Walking
The countryside around Inverness offers walking opportunities of every kind, from the visitor who just wants a gentle stroll to the serious hill walker who’ll find Munros a plenty to bag.

Walking is reckoned to be the safest, most flexible and possibly least expensive exercise you can take. We can advise on many routes, show you our maps and provide a packed lunch.

Website: www.bunchrewhousehotel.com

Rooms: 15

Price: from 409 EUR per night