AIRDS HOTEL

Gourmet living on the shores of Loch Linnhe

ITS LOCATION IN PRETTY Port Appin in the West Highlands with unbeatable views of Loch Linnhe makes The Airds a great base on Scotland’s west coast. This is where you fall under the spell of mountains stretching from water to sky, where the light is luminescent, and peace is almost palpable.

The hotel continues such lightness of heart. Built during the 18th century as a ferry inn, its warm, hospitable vibe pervades the two comfy reception rooms with flowers, books and log fires. The little conservatory is just the place for clocking that wonderful scenery, while nicely done-up bedrooms in country-house colours deliver on all fronts, too.

Guests come not least for the cooking of J Paul Burns, Scottish Hotel Chef of the Year 2004. Meals might include Aberdeen Angus beef, fillet of turbot or lasagne of wild mushrooms with asparagus and pesto. Desserts are toothsome, and the presentation is slick. Owners Shaun and Jenny McKivragan and their staff sprinkle service with stardust.

Picnic hampers and champagne

The chef’s award-winning cooking is right up there; expect great fish, beef, game and true veggie delights. Order a picnic hamper and a bottle of champagne and take scenic walks along the loch or arrange a boat trip. You can go island-hopping to Lismore, Mull and Iona, shoot, fish and ride, or simply laze by the fireside. Stella McCartney has stayed, not to mention plenty of gourmets, painters and hill walkers.


The Airds Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North

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CULINARY WEEKENDS AT AIRDS HOTEL AND RESTAURANT

Dine on gorgeous gourmet cuisine at renowned Airds Hotel and Restaurant in pretty Port Appin

This package at Airds Hotel is a foodies fantasy. These two special weekends give you tea on arrival, dinner every night in the renowned restaurant, full Scottish breakfast every morning and light lunch two days running. If you develope a taste for gourmet cooking (and you will) then don't despair, because full cookery classes on two days are also included in the package. Prices start from GBP 360 - 505 per person for three nights. Book in advance though, as this offer only applies to the weekends of 18th April and 24th October.

*Quote Culinary Weekend on our request form.

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Head chef Paul Burns and Airds restaurant have been showered in culinary awards. Dinner menus change daily and there's an occasional Gourmet evening here complete with a seven-course gastro-extravaganza. Start perhaps with a trio of cured scottish salmon with soft herb salad and dill sauce, follow with roast fillet of cod with langoustines, tapenade crust, herb mash and chive velouté, and round off with a de-lish warm date pudding with butterscotch sauce.


Dining out
For a change, you could try the lochside Pierhouse in Port Appin.

See & do
You're in walking, cycling and fishing country here, and most outdoor activities can be arranged. The dramatic scenery of Glencoe and the misty ruggedness of Rannoch Moor are just 35 minutes away. You can also visit Ben Nevis – Britain's highest peak – taking the gondola up and joining one of the walking trails at the top. Take the ferry to the Isle of Mull or secluded Lismore , see the romantic silhouette of Eilean Donan castle, or visit the seal pups and otters at Oban Sea Life Centre.

Shop
Oban has a good range of shops selling Scottish woollens and and souvenirs.

Play
This is a place for early nights or loch-side stargazing.

Dates
September
Catch the Scottish sailing championships on your doorstep at Loch Linnhe

GETTING THERE

Location
Port Appin, Appin, Argyll PA38 4DF

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains and ferries
Oban – 20 miles

Seaplane
You can fly from Glasgow to Oban by seaplane for roughly GBP 145pp. For details, call 0870 242 1457.

Taxis
GBP 180 from Glasgow Airport

Airport
Glasgow – 100 miles

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 250-350

Open/closed
Closed 8-28 January

Check-in
2:30pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9:45am

Room service
Available 24 hours a day

Children
Welcome. High tea provided; no children under 8 allowed in the dining room at dinner.

Pets
By arrangement

Air conditioning
No

Languages
English, some Gaelic, Polish, Romanian, Italian and some French

Wedding license?
Yes. Wedding parties of up to 34 can be accommodated

Your contacts
Shaun and Jenny McKivragan – owners