Pros
- Housed in charming 17th-century Scottish Baronial mansion
- Waterfront setting in peaceful gardens and ancient woodland
- Some rooms feature carved four-poster beds and water views
- Wood-paneled restaurant serving traditional Scottish fare
- Full Scottish breakfast included in the rate
- Elegant cocktail bar with range of whiskies
- Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout
- Resident benign ghost (a con for some)
Cons
- Some room decor and furnishings feel tatty
- A few bathrooms could use a makeover
- No health or spa facilities
- No elevator and some stairs
Bottom Line
Bunchrew House Hotel is a genuine 17th-century mansion steeped in history and traditional Scottish charm. The position overlooking the water surrounded by ancient woodland is particularly serene, and Inverness is just a 10-minute drive away. While some rooms feature lovely four-poster beds and views over the water, others show signs of age. Overall, however, for Old World Highland atmosphere and magical setting this is one of the finest options you'll find.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Internet
Scene
Charming 17th-century Scottish Baronial mansion with resident ghost
With elongated spires perched on elegant stone turrets and its fairytale-palace pink facade, there something more than a little magical about the Bunchrew House Hotel. While the first house built on the site dates back to around 1500s, the mansion that now occupies the space was completed in 1621 in the Scottish Baronial style, drawing heavily from medieval and Renaissance influences. Stepping inside, its clear the emphasis has remained firmly on the traditional, and there are original wood paneling, gilt-framed portraits, and solid antique furnishings; a trophy stag head completes the Highland scene. Creaky floorboards, the subtle smoky scent from log-burning fireplaces, and rumors of a (benign) ghost wandering the corridors at night all add to the hotel's charming Old World ambience. A waterfront setting nestled on 20 acres of ancient woodland and pretty gardens also make it a popular venue for weddings -- many couples get married under a 260-year-old cedar know as "The Loving Tree."
Location
Set in ancient woodland overlooking Beauly Firth a few miles from Inverness
The hotel is set among serene woodland on the scenic shores of the Beauly Firth with views along the coast for miles. While Inverness city center is just 10 minutes' drive away on the A862, the hotel is set back from the main road with little else in the area besides farmland and the neighboring Bunchrew Caravan Park. The north end of legendary Loch Ness is also just 20 minutes away by car, and the iconic ruins of Urquhart Castle that overlook the loch are a 30-minute drive.
Rooms
Some rooms have four-poster beds and water views, others feel tatty.
While no two of the hotel's 16 rooms are identical, styling tends towards the traditional with antique furnishings, patterned carpets, and heavy drapery -- some furnishings and decor are a little tatty in places. Superior Rooms have extra space, while many also add views over the water or four-poster beds. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee facilities, plus mini-fridges with fresh milk. Bathrooms are a little old-fashioned, with some of them in need of a revamp.
Features
Full Scottish breakfast, cocktail bar, and cozy log fire-warmed lounge
The hotel provide a full Scottish breakfast in the wood-paneled restaurant (included in the rate), which also serves traditional Scottish fare with a modern twist, a decent wine list, and views over the frith. A smart cocktail bar with vintage styling also serves a good range of whiskies, while a cozy drawing room features two fireplaces and plenty of comfy seating. While there are plenty of local walking paths and wildlife spotting opportunities, the hotel lacks any spa or health facilities.
This Hotel Also Featured In
8 Destinations Famous for Their Mythical Creatures
With the recent release of “The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” on DVD, we got to thinking about, well, fantastic beasts, such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Over the years, other cryptids have gained notoriety around the world, despite lurking in trees, under waves, or behind boulders. With that in mind,…
Discover the World’s 5 Best Whiskey Destinations and What to Do in Each
Courtesy of Flickr/mshipp Today is International Whiskey Day! In celebration of the brown stuff, we’ve rounded up five perfect itineraries for the whiskey-lover. Ranging from the big city lights of Tokyo to the scenic Texas hill country — and, of course, the verdant green hills of Scotland, there’s an itinerary here for every type of…
Road Trips to Take in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and Beyond
Photo courtesy of Corey Taratuta via Flickr When wanderlust strikes and the call of the open road is too strong to resist, it shouldn’t matter which decade of your life you happen to be in. Age is but a number, but bearing in mind the old adage, ‘right place, wrong time,’ some road trips can…
The Most Haunted Hotels in Europe That You Can Stay In
From trick-or-treating and watching gory films to dodging creepy clowns at haunted houses, there are plenty of ways to ring in Halloween. But for those who are looking to up the fear factor even more, we rounded up 10 of the most haunted hotels in Europe that you can spend the night in. These houses…
10 Places You Need to See the Sunset Before You Die
As displays of the earth’s awesome natural beauty go, sunsets are up there with the greatest things ever – right next to rainbows. They happen in every single country, every single day but there are few things in life as magic as catching a setting sun in the right place. But not all sunsets were…
Scene
Charming 17th-century Scottish Baronial mansion with resident ghost
With elongated spires perched on elegant stone turrets and its fairytale-palace pink facade, there something more than a little magical about the Bunchrew House Hotel. While the first house built on the site dates back to around 1500s, the mansion that now occupies the space was completed in 1621 in the Scottish Baronial style, drawing heavily from medieval and Renaissance influences. Stepping inside, its clear the emphasis has remained firmly on the traditional, and there are original wood paneling, gilt-framed portraits, and solid antique furnishings; a trophy stag head completes the Highland scene. Creaky floorboards, the subtle smoky scent from log-burning fireplaces, and rumors of a (benign) ghost wandering the corridors at night all add to the hotel's charming Old World ambience. A waterfront setting nestled on 20 acres of ancient woodland and pretty gardens also make it a popular venue for weddings -- many couples get married under a 260-year-old cedar know as "The Loving Tree."
Location
Set in ancient woodland overlooking Beauly Firth a few miles from Inverness
The hotel is set among serene woodland on the scenic shores of the Beauly Firth with views along the coast for miles. While Inverness city center is just 10 minutes' drive away on the A862, the hotel is set back from the main road with little else in the area besides farmland and the neighboring Bunchrew Caravan Park. The north end of legendary Loch Ness is also just 20 minutes away by car, and the iconic ruins of Urquhart Castle that overlook the loch are a 30-minute drive.
Rooms
Some rooms have four-poster beds and water views, others feel tatty.
While no two of the hotel's 16 rooms are identical, styling tends towards the traditional with antique furnishings, patterned carpets, and heavy drapery -- some furnishings and decor are a little tatty in places. Superior Rooms have extra space, while many also add views over the water or four-poster beds. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee facilities, plus mini-fridges with fresh milk. Bathrooms are a little old-fashioned, with some of them in need of a revamp.
Features
Full Scottish breakfast, cocktail bar, and cozy log fire-warmed lounge
The hotel provide a full Scottish breakfast in the wood-paneled restaurant (included in the rate), which also serves traditional Scottish fare with a modern twist, a decent wine list, and views over the frith. A smart cocktail bar with vintage styling also serves a good range of whiskies, while a cozy drawing room features two fireplaces and plenty of comfy seating. While there are plenty of local walking paths and wildlife spotting opportunities, the hotel lacks any spa or health facilities.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Babysitting Services
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Basic Television
-
Cabanas
-
Cable
-
Concierge
-
Cribs
-
Dry Cleaning
-
Full Kitchen
-
Internet
-
Kids Allowed
-
Laundry
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
-
Poolside Drink Service
-
Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
-
Room Service
-
Supervised Kids Activities
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.