Historic Hotels in the Scottish Highlands: Culloden, Perth, more

Culloden House. Nr Inverness

On April 16th, 1746, the very last battle to be fought on British soil took place on Drumrossie Moor, a few miles to the north east of Inverness. The night before, Charles Edward Stuart - �Bonnie Prince Charlie� - had rested at nearby Culloden House. It would be for the final time before fleeing, defeated, into exile.

The battle, between those who wished to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne (The Jacobites) and The Duke of Cumberland�s Hanoverian loyalists, was swift. In less than an hour over two thousand Jacobites had been killed or wounded and hundreds more were massacred in the bloody aftermath.

Today, Culloden House is associated as much with warm Scottish hospitality as it is with the notorious battle bearing its name. Indeed, it has become a popular retreat for many of the world�s rich & famous seeking rest and relaxation - Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Sir Sean Connery and Brad Pitt have all stayed over recent years.

The present Georgian mansion incorporates much of the original fortified house and castle in its structure - the vaulted cellars and gun ports are still in existence. Today, however, it lies in almost 40 acres of peaceful parkland which very much belies an infamous past. Expedia | LateRooms

The Kenmore Hotel. Perth

Established on November 3rd 1572, The Kenmore is said to be Scotland�s oldest inn. It certainly looks the part.

Situated at the mouth of the famous River Tay and within the conservation village of Kenmore itself, the hotel boasts an impressive connection to Scotland�s most celebrated poet, Robbie Burns. Indeed, on the chimney breast in the �Poet�s Bar� one will find verse by the man himself.

Legend has it that he was so impressed by the beauty of the surrounding area he resolved to write his thoughts in pencil on the wall. It remains to this day. TripAdvisor | LateRooms

Taychreggan Hotel. Loch Awe

How times change. Once a rustic cattle drover�s inn, The Taychreggan now boasts all the home comforts the 21st century traveller requires.

At least three hundred years old, this picturesque old building benefits from its beautiful location on the banks of Loch Awe. And it was here, in October 1773 that two of English literature�s most famous names, James Boswell and Dr Johnson, rested en route to the Hebrides.

Recalling their time at the Taychreggan, Boswell wrote: �We crossed in a ferry-boat a pretty wide lake, and on the farther side of it, close by the shore we found our inn. The prospect of good accommodation cheered us much. We supped well and after supper Dr. Johnson whom I had not see taste any fermented liquor during our travels, called for a gill of whisky. 'Come,' said he, 'let me know what it is that makes a Scotchman happy!'".

Find out more and book online with TripAdvisor

The Cuilfail Hotel. Nr Oban

Wolrd War I had been raging for a year when J M Barrie stayed at the Cuilfail Hotel. Indeed, writing to a friend on September 1st 1915, he describes its impact on the area:

�The highlands in many glens are as bare of population owing to the war as if they were the month before Creation.�.

However, he goes on to write of his stay:

�... If you were to search the bogs you would find me in one of them loaded with waterproofs and ginger beer.�

Find out more via TripAdvisor

More period and historic accommodation in the Highlands of Scotland

Ardgour ~ Highland

The Inn at Ardgour. Close to Fort William on the banks of Loch Linnhe, the Inn at Ardgour is a true old traveller�s inn by the ferry at Corran Narrows. It offers 12 en suite rooms, all with views of the water. LateRooms

Aviemore ~ Highland

The Rowan Tree Country Hotel. An 18th century coaching inn amid the splendour of the Cairngorms. Expedia

Callander ~ Stirling

The Dreadnought Hotel. This 17th century hotel was originally built by the chief of the McNab Clan. LateRooms

Cruden Bay ~ Aberdeenshire

The Kilmarnock Arms. Fans of the novel Dracula will be following in the footsteps of its author, Bram Stoker, if they stay here (his signature is in the guestbook of 1896). Indeed, Stoker booked into the hotel on more than one occasion, with his second visit said to have coincided with the completion of the world-famous book. TripAdvisor

Dalmally ~ Argyll & Bute

Glenorchy Lodge. Offering five individually furnished rooms, this former hunting lodge is ideally located for those seeking to explore the Western Highlands and the islands. LateRooms

Dingwall ~ Highland

Tulloch Castle. Impressive ancient fortress offering 19 guest rooms. LateRooms | Superbreak | Expedia

Dornoch ~ Highland

Dornoch Castle. Famous fifteenth century structure located opposite the even older Dornoch Cathedral, and close to the second oldest golf course in the world. LateRooms | Expedia

Dunkeld ~ Perth and Kinross

The Atholl Arms. Overlooking he River Tay, this late 18th century hotel was once visited by the then Princess Royal - later Queen Victoria - on 11th September 1844. LateRooms

Fort William ~ Highland

Inverlochy Castle. �I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot� wrote Queen Victoria in her diary during a stay in September 1873. And the scenery around this fine country house hotel - only a few miles from Fort William - still impresses. The winner of numerous awards, Inverlochy Castle offers 17 rooms and suites, all with private bathroom. Expedia

Glencoe ~ Highland

The Ballachulish Hotel. The Baronial facade of this waterside hostelry may be 19th century, but parts of the building date back to the 15th when it served as a drovers inn. LateRooms

Glenfinnan ~ Highland

The Prince�s House. Originally known as �The Stage House�, parts of this traditional Scottish coaching inn dates back to 1658. LateRooms

Glenfinnan House. Originally an inn and later a farmhouse, this mid-1700�s building was brought back from the brink of ruin by its owners in the early 1970s. It now offers a select number of rooms including a four-poster suite.

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