"This noble lake, boasting innumerable beautiful islands affords one of the most surprising, beautiful and sublime spectacles in nature".
The wild beauty of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has attracted poets, writers, sightseers and visitors for many generations - certainly back to the early 19th century when people began to travel here for a day out from the city, to enjoy its peace and tranquillity and perhaps a paddle-steamer cruise around the loch. It is now estimated that over 7 million people visit Loch Lomond every year, driving up the lochside to admire the stunning beauty of the scenery.
Sir Walter Scott
Inverbeg Inn
A couple of miles north of Luss on the west side of the loch, the Inverbeg Inn has been a popular resting place for travellers for 190 years, established in 1814, and ever since has been a famous and welcoming place to stop for food, drink and a bed for the night. This attractive low, long white-washed two-storey building is set back from the main road behind gardens and car park with fine views down to the loch. Arriving after a long drive in the twilight on a cool spring evening, it was marvellous to see the twinkling lights of the hotel and walking into reception, a log fire was burning. At Inverbeg, you can be assured of a traditional Scottish Inn welcome, unchanged in almost 200 years.
Traditional Comfort
The beauty of the Inverbeg Inn relies on its location and its size. There are only twenty bedrooms, twelve in the main house with an additional eight - very special - deluxe bedrooms and suites over the road in the Lochside Lodge, which is located right down on the shore. The double and twin rooms in the main house are a good size, which look freshly decorated with attractive furnishings, all individual in style and design. For instance there's a particularly charming and bright room featuring a crimson red colour scheme. All rooms have armchairs, colour TV, hospitality tray with tea, coffee, shortbread and decanter of sherry (a touch of that Scottish hospitality again!), iron, trouser press, hairdryer and direct dial telephone. Bathrooms are standard size with bath and overhead shower.
If you would prefer to experience a little extra privacy and seclusion, then why not splash out and reserve one of the Lochside Lodge bedrooms. This is just a very short stroll from the hotel, under the main road down to the loch shore.
You can also take your car and park there. The Lodge is also ideal for those who have difficulty in climbing stairs, so request one of the ground floor rooms at the front. One room even has French windows opening directly out to the garden patio. Upstairs, the Lodge has three larger suites, one with a private balcony for a fabulous view over to Inchlonaig Island.
I experienced an overnight stay in Room 15 in the Lodge, a large double room on the ground floor with two small armchairs well positioned at a picture window. It overlooks a tiny bay with a couple of moored boats protected by a long peninsula. This is a magical spot, where you can watch all manner of wild birds including tall, elegant herons, swooping and diving into the water. Facilities are comfortable and the first impression was being greeted by a very warm temperature so much so that the radiator had to be turned down. Quite often being away from home can be a chilly experience so to find a cosy bedroom on arrival is unusual: top marks there.
Food and Drink
One of the most important aspects of a country inn is its food and drink, to sustain weary travellers, whether it is a short stop for lunch or supper before motoring on, or resident guests requiring a leisurely dinner. Here you have a choice of menus as well as setting - casual-style in the wonderful old `pub` or in the more formal Caledonian restaurant complete with white tablecloths. Head chef Mark Burrows arrived at Inverbeg last summer, following training in London and then working at one of Scotland's finest restaurants under Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or in Glasgow. You can therefore expect to sample some excellent and innovative contemporary Scottish cuisine, based on local produce including fresh Loch Fyne Langoustines and Highland beef.
Begin for instance with a creamy home-made Butternut Squash and ginger soup, or a warm, slightly melted goats cheese with ratatouille and tapenade or Salad of Confit Duck with potato and beetroot. Then taste an exquisite culinary concoction of Pan fried Organic Orkney Salmon, on a bed of Crushed New Potatoes with flaked smoked haddock, surrounded by a leek, shallot and balsamic dressing. Utterly delicious. Otherwise a choice of Roast fillet of Pork with Herb mash and wild mushrooms, Sea Bream with salsify, artichoke and green beans or Inverbeg Braised Beef in an ale and thyme gravy. To finish, a choice of classic hot puddings and cold desserts. Service is most attentive with water and wine poured for you and overall an exceptional experience: city centre fine cuisine in a small country inn. A delightful combination. After dinner, you may take coffee or a nightcap in the adjoining lounge with its comfy sofas and piles of magazines.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant until 9.30am, with a buffet table for fruit juice, cereals and tinned prunes and grapefruit. [Why no fresh fruit?]. Then a choice of cooked dishes including porridge, the usual traditional fry up with bacon, sausage and potato scone [not home made], or poached and scrambled eggs. The innovation of fine cooking does seem to follow through from dinner to breakfast.
Caledonian Bar
The Caledonian bar at Inverbeg Inn is simply charming, with its old ceiling beams, battered leather booth seating, cosy nooks, old archive photographs round the wall, shelves of books - just a great place to sit over a leisurely pint or dram. The bar boasts a good range of real ales, malt whiskies and a well-selected wine list. As mentioned above, you can also eat here -everything from soup and sandwiches to gourmet pub meals. Immediately outside the bar is a patio area with wooden seats and benches for summertime meals. There are plans to extend the bar, building over the patio to give more room inside, although the outside tables would still be retained. The Inn is popular with people who live nearby as well as overnight guests and many locals will come here for a drink or meal. Glasgow is just 30 minutes away so it is certainly possible to drive up for lunch or dinner, as long as one person declines a drink!
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is the perfect location for an active, sporting holiday as well as a relaxing break. The golf course at Luss is famous - just two miles down the road. There are boat trips on the loch, opportunities to go sailing, canoeing, fishing as well as hill climbing, walking, hiking or cycling through the National Park.Visit Loch Lomond Shores, the visitor centre at the southern tip of the loch, with film shows, shops (including an outlet of the Edinburgh-based Jenners department store), restaurants and other attractions. Artists and photographers will be inspired by the views. Drive up to Tarbet to take a trip on the West Highland line over to Mallaig or Oban, one of the finest railway journeys in the world.
Conclusions
Inverbeg Inn is personally recommended as the ideal place to stay when touring around Loch Lomond - high quality standard, homely comforts and excellent cuisine. The Inn is part of a group of fine hotels, under the title, Scottish Selection. Sister hotels are the Bridge of Orchy and Tongue Hotel.More Information
For more information or to make a reservation see the Inverbeg Inn Web site.
