Places to stay in the Highlands

**Sir William** · 29th December 11, 09:25 PM

Looking for personal recommendations of places to stay when I visit Scotland in April.

I'll be traveling by myself. I prefer B&Bs or small hotels located near the town center (so I can walk around and explore a bit, check out a local pub, etc) that are nice, friendly, comfortable, and don't cost the price of a new kilt.

I'm planning to stay in the following towns (subject to change of course):
Pitlochry (2 nights)
Inverness (2 nights)
Thurso (1 night)
Stromness (1 night)
Plockton (2 nights)
Fort William or Glencoe (1 night)
Edinburgh - Old Town or New Town (3 nights)

I've stayed at some nice places in Inverness, Glencoe and Old Town Edinburgh previously but I may want to check out some new places.

Thanks.

**Woot22** · 29th December 11, 09:58 PM

Here is a link to a place in Glencoe;
http://www.clachaig.com/

I believe this is the place me and a buddy stopped at while passing through Glencoe while walking the West Highland Way trail back in 2002.

**Sir William** · 30th December 11, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Woot22

Here is a link to a place in Glencoe;
http://www.clachaig.com/

I believe this is the place me and a buddy stopped at while passing through Glencoe while walking the West Highland Way trail back in 2002.

This is where I stayed in 2009 and may return if I don't decide to stay in Fort William. A very nice place and I like their pub. We made a short hike before dinner and another after dinner - the scenery is gorgeous.

**Jock Scot** · 30th December 11, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

This is where I stayed in 2009 and may return if I don't decide to stay in Fort William. A very nice place and I like their pub. We made a short hike before dinner and another after dinner - the scenery is gorgeous.

It is very difficult for a local to advise on the assorted hotel/B&B facilities available to their guests as we do not have to find out! However, we do have a meal , from time to time,at the place you are talking about and very good it is ------once you have fought your way through the crowds of hikers! April could well be a very busy time there, so think well ahead.

**English Bloke** · 30th December 11, 05:56 AM

Some further considerations for you on the current Dumfries Burns supper thread.

**Sir William** · 30th December 11, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Some further considerations for you on the current Dumfries Burns supper thread.

Already noted and commented on. The last weekend is a week before my planned arrival and I'm giving it some very serious consideration.

Finding something to do for an extra 4-5 days is not a problem, but the extra week plays havoc with my budget.

**Sir William** · 30th December 11, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

It is very difficult for a local to advise on the assorted hotel/B&B facilities available to their guests as we do not have to find out!

Completely agree. I would be hard put to recommend a hotel in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, but I can recommend hotels in other US cities where I have stayed. However, I know there are X-Markers who have stayed in Inverness, Pitlochry and Edinburgh.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

However, we do have a meal , from time to time,at the place you are talking about and very good it is ------once you have fought your way through the crowds of hikers! April could well be a very busy time there, so think well ahead.

We also found the food quite good, as were ale and whisky selections, and right now it is still my top choice for the Fort William/Glencoe area. Besides, the sign posted on the registration desk made me feel quite at home. I'm hoping to have all my bookings made within a week or two.

**cessna152towser** · 30th December 11, 07:48 AM

When Ann was alive I used to take her to the Old Pines Hotel at Spean Bridge.
I chose it because of the level access but the accommodation and the food were also excellent. The hotel is just off the main A82 at the Commando Monument as you leave Spean Bridge towards Fort Augustus.
The view from their dining room looks out to Ben Nevis.
It is a twenty minute commute from Fort William.
http://www.oldpines.co.uk/

**Redshank** · 30th December 11, 07:55 AM

Simply try www.visitscotland.com it has the answers to all your questions, every accommodation provider is graded and the site is easily navigated

**Sir William** · 30th December 11, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Redshank

Simply try www.visitscotland.com it has the answers to all your questions, every accommodation provider is graded and the site is easily navigated

I've been using VisitScotland and its a very good resource as well as TripAdvisor. But I wanted to see if anyone had any personal recommendations - places they would recommend or not recommend.

Previously, I've stayed at both a Thistle and Jury hotel in Edinburgh, but this trip I'd prefer to try something smaller. In Inverness I've stayed at the Ramada (with a tour group) and the Talisker B&B, which I liked and may stay at again. I've also stayed at the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, which I also liked and will probably stay at again.

However, there are some real gems out there that aren't always evident though the websites. Another reason is that I'm a travel agent and I'd like to sample some different places so I can make my own recommendations to my clients.