PICTURES: Inside the Plockton Inn and Tongue Hotel after £1.8m makeover of North Coast 500 attractions
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Highland Coast Hotels has announced the official reopening of Plockton Inn and The Tongue Hotel on the world-famous North Coast 500 after a £1.8 million makeover.
The two Highland hotels are now welcoming overnight guests and diners following the completion of an extensive four-month refurbishment at both properties.
Both historic venues have been given "a contemporary new look" inspired by their locations in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Tongue enjoys breath-taking views over the Kyle of Tongue, Ben Loyal and Ben Hope.
The village of Plockton is sometimes dubbed ‘The Jewel of the Highlands’ and sits on a sheltered bay overlooking Loch Carron, which was the location for the popular BBC TV series Hamish Macbeth, starring Robert Carlyle.
Tongue Hotel, which is a former 19th century sporting lodge, now offers 19 individually-styled guest rooms and a newly refurbished restaurant and bar, all overseen by general manager, Marcel Wassen.
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The new deluxe feature bedroom at Tongue Hotel has a sumptuous and decadent feel, complete with free-standing roll top bath, rich and textured soft furnishings, and an open fireplace.
Tongue Hotel’s new 40-cover destination restaurant Varrich, takes inspiration from the remains of Castle Varrich on the headland opposite.
Head chef, Sumit Dhar, is leading a team of seven to offer seasonal menus that showcase the best local producers and suppliers from across the North Highlands, including Ardgay Game, Ardgay; seafood suppliers, Bells of Scrabster; and West Drumliah Fruit Farm of Bonar Bridge.
Highland Coast Hotels has appointed Paul Arcarias as the new general manager of Plockton Inn, which has been reduced from 14 rooms to 12 to allow for larger en-suite bathrooms for selected rooms.
The makeover of Plockton Inn also includes ‘Sorley’s House’ in the building opposite, which takes its name from the famous Scottish poet, Sorley MacLean, who lived on the site for a number of years.
The newly refurbished 80-cover Plockton Inn, Restaurant and Bar retain the existing period features, whilst taking contemporary design inspiration from its location, quality of light and fishing boats on the shores of Loch Carron.
Head chef, Steven New, and portfolio head chef, Eric Lionnet, are leading a team of eight to offer seasonal menus brimming with local produce, including fresh langoustines from Loch Carron, known locally as Plockton Prawns. The bar menu will showcase local ales from Plockton and whisky from Torabhaig, Raasay and Talisker Distilleries.
The Plockton Inn also has a garden between Sorley’s House and the bay where a rapid service seafood operation, The Outside Inn, will offer a wide selection of delicious seafood and other locally sourced delicacies.
Created in April 2021, Highland Coast Hotels is a Scottish-based group aiming to bring innovative, sustainable and community-led hospitality to the coastlines of the North Highlands of Scotland. Highland Coast Hotels intends to strengthen and enhance the hotels it owns, as well as boost regional growth, it says.
David Whiteford, chairman of Highland Coast Hotels, said: “We’re extremely proud to have reached this significant milestone in the development of Highland Coast Hotels.
“We’ve reopened the doors to The Tongue Hotel and Plockton Inn, unveiling our contemporary makeover for these two iconic and historic hotels. As with each of our six venues across the North Highlands, our focus continues to be on creating environmentally-friendly hotels and supporting local communities, suppliers, producers, designers and artists.
“Guest can look forward to our famous Highland welcome in areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as sampling the best local, seasonal food and drink.
“Tongue benefits from its position on the world-famous North Coast 500 and Plockton is renowned as ‘The Jewel of the Highlands’, overlooking Loch Carron.”
Since 2021, Highland Coast Hotels has acquired another four of the region’s landmark hotels, including the award-winning Kylesku Hotel, overlooking the beautiful Loch Gleann Dubh in the far West Highlands; Newton Lodge overlooking Loch Glencoul; the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch, which is positioned on the first tee of one of the top four most revered links golf courses in the world; as well as the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, which is situated close to popular golf courses, stunning beaches and world-renowned distilleries.
The redevelopment of Tongue Hotel and Plockton Inn has been supported by Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
