Mouthwatering real food and a cheery, informal welcome
We rate this country house-type hotel Highly Recommended but not because it's grand. Simply, if you value cheerful hospitality, clean bedrooms with unexpected extras and terrific, natural food cooked with dedication… it just is highly recommendable. The Victorian manor sits in woods in a quiet part of Forres. Lloyd and Jules Kenny work hard to satisfy; many guests return very frequently. Cosy bar: bay window, sofas, leather chairs, coffee-toned décor, real fire; local Benromach malts. Franklin’s restaurant: informal, candle-lit, red walls, original art, high-backed leather chairs, original walnut window surrounds. Lloyd’s an absolutely focussed chef; his is country cooking with a touch of natural pzazz. Dishes range from trad comfort food with a twist to local Highland steaks to special requests. He comes to the tables and in an inimitable style makes sure all is well; he goes through dessert options personally. We’d a superb slow-cooked, melt-in-the-mouth mutton dish with perfect accompaniments; also a Portuguese rice pudding with lemon and cinnamon. More, please.
E S S E N T I A L I N F O
> The 8 bedrooms vary considerably in size, décor, outlook and modernity
> All get mineral water, Scottish biscuits, flat TV / DVD, iPod dock player, free wi-fi
> Some rooms have a bath – ask; all have prestige Penhaligon’s 'Blenheim' toiletries
> Lady Kathleen, in 'nature' colours, has comfy super-king bed, wood outlook, shower
> Queen Betty is biggest, red-hued, with bay window, light airy bathroom with corner bath
> Garden Room is ideal for dog-owners as it has porch area, own external door
> Henderson is a great little single room, practical with desk, light, front-facing, bath
> 10.30am checkout a bit early; cooked breakfast (good) until 9am, cold buffet served ‘til 10am
> Dining is an absolute treat – dinner menu (PDF) changes every few weeks; wine list is notably good
> Benromach distillery is a mile away and offers tours and tastings: recommended!
R A T I N G
Highly Recommended
L O C A T I O N Map
Forres is between Inverness (30 minutes’ drive) and Aberdeen and can be reached easily by train from either of these cities. The hotel is hidden-away at the back of Forres so do check out the map and directions first. Parking is easy.
T I P S & H I N T S
This guide will always give more ‘marks’ to a smile and a thoughtful touch than to a designer finish with attitude. Cluny Bank is in some ways an ordinary Scottish Victorian manor of the period. Many are now small hotels. What makes this one special is the food, the wonderful food, cooked by a man who knows his stuff and works hard. Plus the fair prices, nice people and good accommodation.
Cluny Bank Hotel on TripAdvisor