On the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond stands a hotel where they’re pushing the boat out to showcase the area’s brilliant larder, writes Susan Welsh
Having undergone a major refurbishment a few years ago, a former 18th-century coaching inn was transformed into the luxurious four-star, Loch Lomond Arms Hotel in Luss. Along with 14 individually designed bedrooms, seven holiday cottages and a stylish bar, restaurant and event suite, this hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond is a place where they like to shine a spotlight on the area’s brilliant natural larder.
The hotel has launched three new residential packages for the autumn and winter based around its beautiful surroundings and natural resources, with the themes: Exploring Our Natural Larder; Gastronomy, Craft Ale & Whisky and Zoom – Loch Lomond Photography.
Under the leadership of head chef Allan McLaughlin, the food at the hotel takes full advantage of local produce and features black-faced lamb from the surrounding hills, fish from Scottish lochs, and herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s own garden. Guests can visit Camstraddan Garden, a kitchen garden on the banks of Loch Lomond with head gardener Jackie Theaker and select herbs and vegetables for supper, before exploring Loch Lomond with fisherman Alan Gibson to check out the best fishing spots.
Enjoy a not-so-traditional pub lunch before heading to Home Farm, where much of the produce is sourced, with farm manager Kevin MacKinnon.
Over evening drinks the chef will talk about food provenance and menus before guests sit down to a four-course tasting menu with matching wines. The break runs on selected dates in October and costs £260 per person, based on two sharing a room.
The Gastronomy break is a two-day adventure when guests will be guided through the relationship between the “new” beer and food and include a specially prepared three-course dinner, each course molecular-paired with its own craft beer.
Led by Fiona McEachran, from Loch Lomond Brewery, and Ruth Oliver, from West Brewery, there will be a fun and interactive beer and food matching session on Saturday evening, finishing with a dram of Auchentoshan single malt whisky.
There’s plenty of leisure time to enjoy Luss and the many activities on Loch Lomond, as well as a personal tour of the local Auchentoshan Distillery with whisky sampling. This break takes place in November and costs £240 per person.
As the largest body of fresh water in the UK, surrounded by the soaring Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond offers a unique landscape to capture incredible natural photography.
Local photographer Tim Berrall will lead a speedboat tour of the loch and its islands with expert guidance on how to photograph these stunning panoramas. Staff will be on hand to offer advice on walks around the village and the Luss Hills, where you are perfectly poised for photographing the beauty of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The break runs during October and is priced at £325 per person.
Contact:
lochlomondarmshotel.com/experiences