LOCHARDIL House on Stratherrick Road in Inverness is the eighth venue to become part of Highland Coast Hotels collection of hospitality properties across the north Highlands.
Originally a Victorian mansion, the four-star hotel is set in its own gardens, a 30-minute stroll long the River Ness from the city centre. It offers 28 guest rooms, including a choice of suites, family rooms, deluxe doubles and classic singles, alongside a dedicated wedding and meeting space that can host up to 200 people.
CEO of Highland Coast Hotels, Guy Crawford, said: “This is a really exciting milestone for Highland Coast Hotels. Lochardil House is our first hotel in Inverness and is also part of our ongoing investment and commitment to community-led hospitality in the north Highlands.
“We carefully selected this traditional and imposing Highland house to complement our existing hotel collection. It offers exactly the right kind of special charm, authenticity and proximity to the city centre that we were looking for. It’s also conveniently located at the gateway to the north Highlands and the starting point for the world-famous North Coast 500.
“We look forward to welcoming overnight guests to Lochardil House Hotel, as well as establishing the venue as a local community hub with a warm welcome for everyone to enjoy great food, drink and hospitality.”
The plan is for the Lochardil restaurant and bar to be open to residents and the local community for lunch and dinner seven days a week, bringing a new offering to the area, with a focus on local and seasonal menus.
The development has also set clear objectives to foster and support local talent with the creation of over 40 hospitality jobs in the Highland capital. Robert Ratcliffe, from the Highland Coast Hotels’ Dornoch property, The Royal Golf, has been appointed as the new general manager of Lochardil House.
At the same time, Highland Coast Hotels has also announced springtime plans to expand its existing operation in Plockton, the Wester Ross village that sits on a sheltered bay overlooking Loch Carron.
The group has acquired The Haven, which sits adjacent to its own Plockton Inn on the main road into the village, and which will now become part of that inn, providing an additional 20 en-suite guest rooms, as well as a spacious breakfast room for all guests, and a residents lounge.
This latest development was described as helping the Plockton Inn achieve its objective of ‘creating a sustainable year-round hospitality business and accommodation in the village’.
Mr Crawford said: “With its traditional charm and authenticity, The Haven is the perfect fit for Highland Coast Hotels. Previous owner Lynn Henderson has done an amazing job of building the reputation of The Haven over recent years.
“We look forward to building on her legacy and taking The Haven to the next stage of its development as a hotel for overnight guests and as a local community hub with a warm welcome for everyone.”
The Plockton Inn redevelopment has been enabled by financial support from the Scottish National Investment Bank, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and other key stakeholders interested in creating a sustainable year-round business in the village.
Crawford added: “This latest investment is a clear indication of the solid confidence that Scottish National Investment Bank and our other key stakeholders have in the Highland tourism and hospitality industry, which has faced a number of unprecedented challenges over the last few years.
“As well as growing the local tourism economy, we now hope to create lasting professional careers in hospitality that will benefit the whole community.”
Paul Arcari, the current general manager of Plockton Inn, will lead the team across the three Plockton Inn buildings in the village.
Since 2021, Highland Coast Hotels has acquired seven hotels in the region – the Kylesku Hotel, overlooking Loch Gleann Dubh; Newton Lodge, overlooking Loch Glencoul; Tongue Hotel, overlooking the Kyle of Tongue; Plockton Inn, overlooking Loch Carron; Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch, positioned on the first tee of one of the world’s most revered links golf courses; and Royal Marine Hotel, Brora, which is situated close to popular golf courses, beaches and distilleries.
