Inverlochy Castle Hotel

Welcome to Inverlochy Castle Hotel, a beautiful 19th century Scottish castle, near Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland. Being in Scotland’s finest Country Hotel, you will enjoy the holiday of a lifetime, where every detail for your comfort and enjoyment has been carefully considered and one which you are sure never to forget.

The area surrounding Inverlochy Castle is rich in landscape and history, to name but a few of these breath-taking places – the falls at Glen Nevis, the monument at Glenfinnan and the mountains of Glencoe.

During a trip to Balmoral in 1873, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting where she wrote in her diaries ‘I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’. Nestling in the foothills of the mighty Ben Nevis, Inverlochy Castle sits amidst some of Scotland’s finest scenery.

ROOMS & SUITES
Each of our 17 bedrooms and suites have their own individual and unique design and character along with spectacular views of the grounds and private loch.

Room facilities include flat screen televisions all disguised as mirrors, personal safe, radio, free fibre internet access, complimentary bottled water from our own water supply and luxurious robes and slippers. All rooms boast luxurious Peter Reed 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linen and Inverlochy Castle’s bespoke range of Penhaligon’s Quercus Toiletries.

GATE LODGE
Inverlochy Castle Hotel Gate Lodge was built in the 19th century in the grounds of Inverlochy Castle and is surrounded by the luscious evergreen trees and the sparkling blue from the nearby loch.

Being in the grounds of Scotland’s finest Country Hotel, you will enjoy the holiday of a lifetime, where every detail for your comfort and enjoyment has been carefully considered and one which you are sure never to forget.

The area surrounding Inverlochy Castle’s Gate Lodge is rich in landscape and history, to name but a few of these breath-taking places – the falls at Glen Nevis, the monument at Glenfinnan and the mountains of Glencoe.

During a trip to Balmoral in 1873, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting where she wrote in her diaries ‘I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’. Nestling in the foothills of the mighty Ben Nevis, Inverlochy Castle sits amidst some of Scotland’s finest scenery.

Dining at ‘Michel Roux Jr at Inverlochy Castle’ is a culinary experience to savour, with the legendary father and son taking the helm of the kitchen and offering the finest dishes using local produce.

Dining is in any of the three dining rooms in the Castle, each decorated with period and elaborate furniture presented as gifts to Inverlochy Castle from the King of Norway, creating a unique experience in unrivalled surroundings.

With the Gate Lodge comprising of one double bedroom and one single room, one bathroom, one shower room and a relaxing living room, the Gate Lodge is the perfect family retreat. Room facilities include smart televisions disguised as mirrors, personal safe, radio and free internet access.

Our beds boast luxurious Peter Reed 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linen and Inverlochy Castle’s bespoke range of Penhaligon Toiletries. The kitchen area provides basic necessities such as fridge, toaster, kettle and a microwave, as all meals are available in the Castle.

MICHEL ROUX JR
Michel Roux Jr was born in 1960 in Pembury, Kent, where his father Albert Roux worked as a private chef for the Cazalet family. His earliest food memories are the smells of the Fairlawne kitchen – pastry, sugar caramelizing and stews – where he played under the table while his father and mother Monique prepared the meals.

After deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps, he left school at 16 for the first of several challenging apprenticeships at Maître Patissier, Hellegouarche in Paris from 1976 to 1979. He was then Commis de Cuisine at Alain Chapel’s signature restaurant at Mionay near Lyon, Michel’s biggest influence.

His military service was spent in the kitchens at the Elysée Palace at the time of Presidents Giscard d’Estaing and François Mitterrand. He also spent time at Boucherie Lamartine and Charcuterie Mothu in Paris, and the Gavers Restaurant in London. After a stint at the Mandarin Hotel in Hong Kong he returned to London and worked at La Tante Claire before joining the family business.

He took over running Le Gavroche in 1991, gradually changing the style of cooking to his own – classic French with a lighter, modern twist. Michel opened Roux at Parliament Square in May 2010 with Restaurant Associates, part of the Compass Group UK and Ireland.

And in November 2010, he opened Roux at The Landau at London’s prestigious luxury hotel, The Langham. Michel was a judge and presenter on the BBC’s popular prime time show, MasterChef: The Professionals, and presented all series of ‘Great British Food Revival.’

Michel fronted BBC2’s ‘Food and Drink,’ in 2014 and presented a documentary on Escoffier, whose revolutionary approach to fine cuisine has inspired Michel and many others. In the same year, Michel went on a journey to create the perfect chocolate for the Le Gavroche Kitchen.

Filmed by the BBC, in Paris he discovered chocolatiers, Cacao Barry and their Or Noir Lab. In 2013, Michel launched his most recent cookbook, ‘The French Kitchen’. Focusing on traditional French home cooking, this is the fifth solo cookery book from Michel.

He is involved with the Roux Experience courses at the ‘Cactus Kitchens’ cookery school. Cactus Kitchens offers people the opportunity to learn to cook within small intimate groups from some of the UK’s finest chefs.

Michel has fronted a brand new four-part Channel 4 series, ‘The Diner’, exploring the hurdles faced by people with disabilities and mental health issues when finding employment. Michel also recently presented a new program on his first ever project with the Disney Channel. ‘First Class Chefs’ which launched in June 2015, is a show where kids aged 9-11 compete to showcase their restaurant skills.

Michel is a keen sportsman and he ran his nineteenth marathon in 2014, to raise funds for VICTA, a charity supporting visually impaired children. He is also an honorary member of the Harlequins rugby club.

THE AFTERNOON TEA
Visit the tranquil surroundings of Inverlochy Castle with our options of Afternoon Tea. Select your choice of tea leaves from our very own tea menu and enjoy our Chef’s savoury sandwiches, freshly made scones and selection of sweet delicacies.

ALBERT HENRI ROUX OBE, KFO
Chef Albert Roux OBE, KFO was head of the famous cooking dynasty behind such establishments as Le Gavroche which was the first restaurant in the UK to be awarded three Michelin Stars. Albert Henri Roux was born on 8 October 1935 at Semur-en-Brionnais, in the region of Saone et Loire in France.

At the age of 14 he began his life-long passion for the culinary arts when he started his career as an apprentice patissier. As a callow youth of 18 years, he came to the UK to spend time as a commis de cuisine in the old hierarchical environment within Nancy Astor’s country home at Cliveden.

Moving up the culinary ladder, he spent one year at the French Embassy in London, followed by his first tenure as a chef at the home of Sir Charles Clore in Belgravia. He was then called up to fulfil his Military Service in Algeria, during which time he was invited on occasion to cook for the Officers’ Mess.

On leaving the Military, Albert took up the post of sous chef at the British Embassy in Paris, where he spent two years before leaving for the UK once again. He was employed as chef to Major Peter Cazelet at the family estate at Fairlawne, Tonbridge in Kent.

He stayed with the Cazelet family for eight happy years. It was the Cazelet family and many of their friends who encouraged and financially helped Albert to open his own restaurant Le Gavroche, which finally he did with his brother Michel in 1967.

OCCASIONS & EVENTS
Inverlochy is Scotland’s finest luxury hotel and restaurant uniquely located amongst the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands of Scotland. It is the perfect venue for romantic Weddings and Business Meetings and has all the magical elements for a truly unforgettable Christmas and New Year.

WEDDINGS
Inverlochy Castle is the perfect location for your very special day, whether it is a small intimate occasion or something slightly larger, we have the setting, the history and the magic touch. Weddings at Inverlochy can be tailored to suit your personal requirements and we can arrange everything on your behalf for the most exclusive, individual and romantic wedding in the Scottish Highlands.

CASTLES. LOCHS & BATTLEFIELDS
Best known as the “Capital of the Highlands”, Inverness is surrounded by countless historical treasures that place it at the heart of Scottish history, as well as stunning landscapes. Your days journey will take you the full length of Loch Ness, a beautiful loch shrouded in mystery, with tales of a large monster living deep beneath the dark expanses.

Cruise the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and hop ashore for a visit to explore historic Urquhart Castle and its turbulent past. Then, visit the final resting place of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army, a desolate stretch of moorland at Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Uprising was finally crushed; and explore the impressive fortifications of Fort George, one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe.

Highlights include:

• Loch Ness Boat Tour
• Visit to Urquhart Castle
• Visit to Culloden Battlefield
• Visit to Fort George

THE ISLE OF SKYE
Explore the magnificent Isle of Skye and visit some of the stunning sites that justify Skye’s status as one of the most beautiful places in the World. Your route today will take you past the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, across to the Isle of Skye on a scenic ferry ride, and through some of Scotland’s most impressive landscaped.

Visit the Trotternish Peninsula, home to Skye’s most striking scenery in the north of the island, every corner reveals a new wonder. Notable features to discover and explore include the Lealt Waterfall and Kilt Rock, the Old Man of Storr, and the Fairy Glen. Then you’ll have the chance to visit Dunvegan Castle.

Highlights include:

• Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Scenic Ferry to the Isle of Skye
• Dunvegan Castle

SPORTING PURSUITS
Enjoy the historic practice of sporting pursuits on nearby estates with a huge variety of hunting, from Red deer, Sika deer, Grouse, Pheasant and Partridge. Excursions can be tailored to your personal requirements. Relish the ever-changing and unpredictable Scottish terrain and weather and learn about the behaviours of our local birds and herds. Success can never be guaranteed but you will be expected to bring home dinner.

WINTER WHISKY TASTING
The three key ingredients of a Scottish experience, Castles, Lochs and Whisky. Learn and savour some of the finest malts from all over Scotland. Our Sommelier will guide you through regions, flavours and different styles of whisky.

From the highest distiller to the smallest distiller he has the flavours of them all, he even has his own Inverlochy Castle Malt distilled right on the door step. Enjoy your dram and the crackling log fire, and relax like royalty.

Classic Malts of Scotland:

• Oban 14 Year Old West Highland Region – OBAN. (Sweet) A 14 year old combining the sophistication of the Highlands with a touch of the peaty style of the Islands. It is rich and full-bodied with a mellow fruity finish.
• Glenkinchie Lowlands Region – GLENKINCHIE. (Ladies whisky) Glenkinchie is a soft, sweetly aromatic malt from the ‘Garden of Scotland’. Is has a fresh, grassy sweetness balanced with a warming, dryish finish.
• Cragganmore 12 Year Old Speyside Region – CRAGGANMORE. (Medium) A 12 year old elegant, sophisticated Speyside with the most complex aroma of any malt. Astonishingly fragrant with sweetish notes and a smoky maltiness on the finish.
• Talisker 10 Year Old Islands Region – TALISKER. A bit smoked. A 10 year old and the only malt produced on Skye. Its seaweedy, smoky nose and sweet maltiness is perfectly complimented by its spicy, long finish.
• Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old Highland Region – DALWHINNIE. A 15 year old gentle, delicate malt from the wild and windswept Highlands. It is subtle, smooth delicately smoky malt with a heathery honey finish.
• Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Region – LAGAVULIN. (This is Smoked.) A 16 year old distinctive and powerful Islay malt. It is deeply smoky and peaty with a velvety, complex finish.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Inverlochy Castle Hotel is situated in Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Take advantage of our stunning location and experience some of the following exciting activities which we can arrange for you.

GOLF
Fort William Golf Club is an 18 hole course measuring some 6200 yards off the white tee and 5464 yards off the yellow tee. You will not only enjoy the test of this challenging course but also experience the magic and splendour of the Lochaber scenery.

Built in 1974 at the foot of Ben Nevis the course offers a great day out for all types of golfer. In the past the course was renowned for being wet due to the Lochaber rain, but major drainage works along with new paths, bridges, tee’s and many new features over the last four years makes Fort William well worth a visit, even the West Coast weather has been great over the last few years.

The 6th at Fort William is one of the finest par 3s in Scotland. Although a short hole measuring only 125 yards, it is very testing with heavy rough off the front of the tee. A 15 foot burn surrounds the green with a bunker on either side and heavy rough and trees through the back.

WHITEWATER RAFTING
Canadian canoes, kayaks, sailing and windsurfing allow you to enjoy the waters of Loch Oich to its fullest. Topo Duo give you an unforgettable whitewater / kayaking experience. The thrills and spills of waterskiing, wake boarding, bumpers and bananas are only surpassed by the jetbike. For relaxation motor boat, row boats and pedalos are ideal.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
If you wish to cycle gentle forest tracks and take in stunning views of beautiful mountain scenery or you want the adrenaline pumping action of the world cup downhill track it can be arranged.

CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING
Clay Pigeon shooting can be arranged within our grounds for all levels of experience. Archery, air rifle and knife and tomahawk throwing allow you to test your aim.

OFF ROAD DRIVING
Try the challenge of handling a four-wheel drive vehicle over rugged terrain in the picturesque countryside of Kinlochleven with Mud Factor.

WINTER ACTIVITIES
With Nevis skiing range at our door, you can take to the snowboards and ski. Instruction, hire and pass packages available.

CLIMBING AT THE ICE FACTOR
As well as being the biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world, it features the UK’s largest articulated rock climbing wall and a competition – standard bouldering hall, making it the perfect place to practise, train and learn every conceivable mountaineering skill.

WILDLIFE, WALKING & PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
Achnacarry Estate is home to an abundance of wildlife including red deer. Wildlife tours will bring you close to wild deer and you may see, Highland cattle, pine martens, wild boar, foxes, otters, rare species of butterflies or many other wild animals.

Tours are in small groups of up to 6 people in two 4×4 vehicles which are in radio contact with each other and we provide everyone with a loan of binoculars, enhancing the opportunities to spot more wildlife.

If you want to gain a closer look, you can go on a camera stalking tour where you will be taken up the hill in an Argo, walk the ridges to find some deer, then stalk in to close range for that perfect photograph. There are lots of birds of prey around Achnacarry including Golden Eagles, White Tailed Sea Eagles, Ospreys, and Buzzards. Several of these birds have known nesting sites.

You should also see Pheasants, Black Game, Grouse or Ptarmigan within the woodland and on the open hillside. Waterfowl are also present on Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig, with Greenshank, Sandpipers and Black Throated divers.

Wildlife and photography tours take place from March to July and can be arranged for groups of up to 6 people for half or full days. We use our Argo 8 wheel drive machine, designed specifically for use on the hill and can take you up to over 2000ft where you can then go for a guided walk, take pictures or have a picnic.

If you would like to go right to the top, then it is not a problem, as the vehicle will go just about anywhere! If you would like to see the magnificent views without walking up the mountains, you can get a lift in the Argo.

Rooms: 17

Price: from 347 EUR per night

Source: www.inverlochycastlehotel.com