Undiscovered Scotland

 

At Inverlochy Castle Hotel a dining experience good enough to receive 3 AA Rosettes is married to a sublime baronial castle of great character; and to outstanding service. You can read our hotel review for Inverlochy Castle Hotel here. Intending visitors should note that gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and tie for dinner, so it is worth ensuring you pack accordingly.

It is possible to eat at Inverlochy Castle Hotel at just about any time of day or night as light snacks are available 24 hours a day. Lunch is available during a short lunch service, and afternoon tea is served throughout the afternoon. High tea is then available for children in the dining room or in their own rooms, and this is followed by dinner.

Inverlochy Castle has three dining rooms. The Green Room enjoys a southern aspect and overlooks the hotel's gardens. Meanwhile, a secret door from the Great Hall gives access to the Library, which can be used for private dining in an intimate setting. The hotel's main dining room is the large Red Room, a magnificent room offering beautiful views to the west through its large bay window. The room is dominated by a spectacular oak sideboard and dresser which, like the tables and chairs in the Red Room, were gifts from the King of Norway.

If the views from, and furniture within, the Red Room are not enough to convince you that you are in for a rather special experience, then the best Christofle French silverware and Riedel crystal glasses might do so.

The dinner menu changes frequently, and we describe some highlights of our particular meal below. First it is worth talking about the style of dining that has gained Head Chef Philip Carnegie such accolades. What came through for us was a sense of accomplishment that made even the most complex dishes appear deceptively simple. Here is a chef who is good enough not to feel the need to show off, and who concentrates instead on the very best preparation of the very best ingredients. Combined with beautiful but unfussy presentation and excellent service, the result is exquisite.

Highlights? It seems almost unfair not to mention every element, but a number of dishes were especially worthy of note. The starter of "Parmesan crusted scallops with curried cauliflower and a lime emulsion" certainly stood out, as did the main of "roasted turbot with a watercress puree, Mallaig mussels and quail's eggs". In some ways the quality shone through best in the elements it would be easy to overlook. The soup course of "chickpea, olive oil and garlic soup" was really excellent, while the canapes were delightful, especially the "crispy pig's ear with a dipping mustard mayonnaise". At the other end of the meal, a "trio of sorbets with fresh fruit and lime syrup" rounded off an outstanding dinner very well indeed.

Breakfast is taken in the Red Room and is served at your table. It is clear from the outset that as much attention is paid to ensuring guests breakfast well as is given to ensuring that they dine well. The fruit juices taste as if they have been squeezed to order: while the plate of fresh fruit is simply delicious, as are the pastries and toast delivered to your table. A wide range of cooked options are available including all the elements of the full Scottish breakfast. This is prepared to order and is simply outstanding, a word we have probably used more than would usually be the case in this dining review. You can read our hotel review for Inverlochy Castle Hotel here.