Loch Melfort Hotel

Four Weddings and a Fair

November 11th, 2011

October has been all about weddings for us, with a stand at the Oban Wedding Fair followed by hosting three weddings all in the same month and another planned for the beginning of November.

Loch Melfort Hotel was part of a whole host of locally based companies who exhibited at the Oban Wedding Fair on 2nd October hosted by Highland Functions in the Corran Halls. We were there to help potential brides and grooms pick a magical place for their wedding and anyone who has ever looked out across Asknish Bay from our dining room or down by the beach house must agree with how fantastic the view is. Other exhibitors included Oban Chocolate Company, Apple Blossom Time Bridal wear and Skipinnish Ceildh Band.

The Loch Melfort stand at the Oban Wedding Fair.

Our first wedding of the month started off with a small simple wedding for eleven in our Binocular lounge followed by a cosy meal in the panelled Library.

Piping in the bride and groom.

The second was a slightly bigger affair with 27 people, again in the Lounge for the ceremony but with the wedding breakfast taking place in the Dining room with breathtaking views over Asknish Bay. Many guests made a weekend of it and staying the night before and after to completely indulge themselves in the magic of the Hotel.

The bride and groom.

The last of the month was a local couple who wanted a real family get together, with the younger members of the family making it picture perfect all dressed up in their little kilts and flower girl outfits.

Delicious wedding cake made by the Loch Melfort Chef.

Unfortunately, the weather has not been very cooperative and the plans to marry outside were not feasible which was such a shame as our grounds are an ideal setting for a wedding and many people opt for this or even in the National Trust for Scotland Arduaine Garden next door.

The newlyweds enjoying an extra special Guy Fawkes Night.

November’s wedding is one of our larger weddings with 100 guests taking over the whole Hotel and as it is the 5th November there will be a bonfire in the field to round things off. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure that the Highland cows and lambs are in the adjacent field!

Tags: weddings
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Latest Wildlife Sightings

September 9th, 2011

Our wildlife diary on our website’s See and Do section is a way for guests to make a note of any sightings they have in and around the hotel grounds. Previous sightings include red squirrels, deer, and sea eagles amongst many others from the options we have listed. What we didn’t have listed was an option of starfish which was clearly wrong as this was washed up onto our beach and seen by one of our chefs. As you can image it was quite a surprise to see one of such size!

Starfish on Asknish Bay beach

Luckily the chef hadn’t seen these toadstools at the top of the driveway or they might have ended up on the menu!

Toadstools at Loch Melfort Hotel

Toadstool closeup

Tags: diary, starfish, toadstool, wildlife
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

End of the Building Work, Start of the Sun!

July 28th, 2011

We blogged recently about the damage we received to our Cedar Wing roof after the storm at the end of May. We are happy to report that the work is now over and we are back to operating as normal. We are now hoping to make the most of the rest of the summer season which we are sure to do if the current amazing hot summer weather is anything to go by!

Following the closure of the majority of the Cedar Wing rooms for the time it took to fix the roof and damaged rooms, our builders have spent the last three weeks completely repairing the roof, taking down internal walls between rooms where water damage had occurred and redecorating with paint, soft furnishings and new carpet.

Special Summer Offer

Now that we are back in action, we have a special offer for the summer to celebrate the re-opening of the Cedar Wing. Stay one night at £98 per person Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and get the 2nd night for £25 per person Bed and Breakfast, valid through until the end of September. With the weather being absolutely stunning recently, you’ll feel as if you’d been to the Argyll Riviera!

For further enquiries and to make a booking, call us on 01852 200 233.

Tags: Cedar Wing, refurbishment
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Hotel Survives Surprise Summer Storm!

June 6th, 2011

On 23 May Scotland saw devastating storms hit the country with damage to buildings, boats and power lines alike. With winds reaching up to 100mph and heavy rainfall, power lines were brought down after trees were blown onto them leaving many places without power for over 24 hours, Loch Melfort Hotel being one of them. In nearby Oban, boats were seen breaking against the usually sheltered harbour with one nearly ending up on the road that leads along the waterfront! Rail companies halted trains, motorways were shut and bridges were closed. So much for the start of summer we witnessed in the heat wave in April.

Along with the power cut, which the Hotel endured with the help of a backup generator and plenty of candles, we also suffered damage to part of the Cedar Wing roof at 2pm on the Monday afternoon. With guests due to check-in at 3pm, it was a frantic rush to find alternative accommodation for those booked into the top floor of the Cedar Wing, which we wanted to vacate until the storm damage had been assessed. From the guests who did stay with us that night we received such comments as “the hotel resembled a scene from Victorian times with the candles and the warm glow from the log fire adding to a very peaceful evening”. All the guests banded together with a real emergency spirit.

Our roof remains intact, watertight and safe, although the jazzy blue tarpaulin covering the initial repair work it is not the prettiest view! However, the main thing guests notice as they arrive down our driveway are the magnificent sea views beyond awaiting them from their rooms!

We will soon begin the final repairs to make our roof good as new and renovate any interiors of rooms that may have been damaged in the storm.

Tags: Cedar Wing, storm
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Oban Bicentenary

June 1st, 2011

Oban, meaning Little Bay, was officially granted the status of Royal Burgh 200 years ago by a Royal Charter in favour of the Duke of Argyll. Despite its size of around 8000 residents, it is in fact the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and known as the “Gateway to the Isles”. The population can more than triple during a busy tourist season.

To commemorate the bicentenary, the town is hosting a range of celebratory events over ten days, beginning Saturday July 9th 2011. With the town centered around the harbour, the Tall Ship will be open for tours along with yacht and kayak races around the bay and harbour activities run by Stramash Outdoor Activity Company. The Oban Distillery is one of the town’s oldest attractions dating back to 1794 so there is no surprise to see their involvement with weeklong celebrations taking place there. On Saturday 16th there will be a Guinness World record attempt for the biggest Highland Dance ‘strip the willow’ on the North Pier. Join in if you wear tartan!

The highlight of the events will be an appearance from HRH Princess Royal when she will visit The Oban Times and The Oban War and Peace Museum on Tuesday July 12. Princess Anne is no stranger to Oban and the Islands with a visit in 2010 on the Hebridean Princess along with the rest of the Royal Family. She frequents the waters near the hotel on many occasions in her yacht and you may even catch a peep of her this time if she pops in for a scone!

For more information of events taking place, please visit the following sites:
http://www.oban.org.uk/Oban-Bicentenary-Scotland
http://www.oban.org.uk/pdfs/bicentennialbrochure.pdf

Tags: bicentenary, Oban
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

New Menu at Asknish Bay Restaurant

May 17th, 2011

It is no secret that our Asknish Bay Restaurant has one of the finest views on the West Coast and after winning an Eat Scotland Silver Award last month, as well as constantly maintaining our 2 AA Rosettes for the last 11 years, we must be doing something right on the food and service front too!

Now to make it even easier for hotel guests, locals and visitors to the area to enjoy our wonderful view and locally sourced food, we are introducing a newly designed four course Table D’hôte menu for £32.00 per person along with a brand new A la Carte Menu. We hope the choice of the two menus will give dinner guests more options when it come to dining with us. After all, there are some nights when guests just fancy one course not four!

The menus have been personally written by our Head Chef, David Bell, in conjunction with local suppliers to include as much of our superb, locally produced products, as possible. Loch Fyne Langoustines, Tarbet Crab, Argyll Beef, Clachan Seil Oysters, Ardfern Organic Rocket, Gigha Halibut and Argyll Hill Lamb will feature heavily, as well as some Scottish Favourites such as Stornoway Black Pudding and interesting Scottish Cheeses.

We hope that whatever the occasion, you’ll be certain to find something special to suit all appetites without having to break the bank or your belt!

Please visit our website to view our new A la Carte menu and Table D’hôte menu.

Tags: asknish bay restaurant, Eat Scotand, menu, silver award
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Staff Training Day

February 10th, 2011

On Tuesday 8th February, staff from Loch Melfort Hotel took part in a Food and Whisky training day with Glengoyne Distillery and MHORFish Restaurant run by renowned chef Tom Lewis in Callander.

We set off from Loch Melfort earlier than some like to get out of bed and arrived at the restaurant in time for a reviving oyster – yes that’s right an oyster at 10.30am! MHORFish has a demonstration room above its fish restaurant and the staff were taught how to open an oyster and details such as how to tell if they were off. Obviously the chefs in our group knew this, but it was interesting for the other staff, some of whom had never dared try one before, to learn about this delicacy.

Next on our fishy itinerary was learning the skills of filleting – plaice and then squid. After preparing the fish ourselves, Tom Lewis then gave us a demonstration of what to serve with the seasonal fish and cooked up a storm for our lunch.

Tom showing us how it's done.

The staff with the squid.

The finished meal.

After a delicious feast we were then taken to Glengoyne Distillery where we were given a tour of the distillery and got to sample their 10 year, 12 year, 17 year and 21 year old single malts. We were then given the chance to be whisky makers ourselves in the state-of-the-art “Sample Room” where we blended together our own whisky using Glengoyne, Islay, Speyside amongst others.

The day was enjoyed by all that took part and we all came away having learned a little bit extra, tried something new and brimming with new ideas for our menu which always has locally caught fish.

Tags: glengoyne distillery, mhorfish, tom lewis
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Double Award Win for Loch Melfort Hotel

February 2nd, 2011

Loch Melfort Hotel in Arduaine won not 1 but 2 of the prestigious Hotel Excellence Awards sponsored by HRS at an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 26 January. Winning both Excellence in Customer Service and Best Family Friendly Hotel in the small hotel category, proprietors Calum and Rachel Ross praised their fantastic team of staff who work tirelessly all year to go the extra mile for all their guests.

Rachel Ross accepting one of Loch Melfort's awards.

Recruiting and keeping quality local employees gave us the basis for forming a great team with visible continuity. Guests love speaking to locals who have knowledge of the area and can advise them on things to do and see. They also love to see someone they recognise when they return!

Nothing is too much trouble. On bonfire night last year, one family left their 4 year old with Rachel to watch the hotel bonfire and have sparklers with the other children whilst they had a lovely romantic dinner and watched through the window. When they left they said it was the most magical weekend they had ever had!

We aim to provide a home from home experience in our hotel, with the personal touch at every level, for example a selection of toys put in rooms for arrival or fresh flowers in our suites.

In 2010 the hotel also won a Social Responsibility Award for their work with the NTS Arduaine Garden next door.

Visit the HRS Hotel Excellence Awards website to read the full case studies on Excellent Customer Service and Best Family Friendly Hotel.

Tags: HRS Hotel Excellence Awards
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Dates of Interest 2011

January 26th, 2011

2011 is set to be a busy year for us here at Loch Melfort Hotel with many events taking place in the hotel itself as well as in the surrounding area.

January
We re-opened on the 24th after our two week closure and are offering a two night stay with the second night B and B free (plus a complimentary bottle of wine for those staying in the first week of opening).

February
Valentine’s Day is on Monday 14th and from 1st – 18th we are offering a two night stay for £150 per person for DBB on the first night and B and B on the second night. There’s a bottle of bubbly and box of chocolates thrown in for those who stay on Valentine’s night.

March
March 12 sees the first of our 2011 mouthwatering gourmet nights with rates starting at £125 per person in a standard room with an extra night at £80 per person. 7 courses with wines to match and brilliant entertainment from Mike Cottam from Inverarity Wines.

April
Children stay free for Mother’s Day on 3 April and Mum receives free afternoon tea on arrival.

For Easter we have another of our fabulous three night deals where if you stay for two nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at £98 per person the third night DBB, with an £18.50 allowance to dine in our Chartroom Bistro, is only £25 each! An Easter egg hunt in the NTS Arduaine Garden next door takes place over the 4 days of Easter weekend which always delights the little ones, and on Easter Day itself, face painting and egg rolling amongst other activities.

May
The NTS Arduaine Garden is at its best in the Spring. The annual Spring Festival Weekend organised by the NTS takes place between the 6th-8th with guest speakers and specialist tours. 29 May is the BIG picnic with a garden of Eden church service in the Garden that weekend.

July
Another of our sumptuous Gourmet nights on the 2nd, and then from the 31st until the 6th August there is a 6 day Orienteering event taking place around the Oban area and we have reduced our rates to £62 B&B for those who are taking part. For more information on the event please visit the Scottish 6 Days website.

October
Gourmet night on the 8th.

November
The nearby town of Lochgilphead hosts a wonderful lantern parade on 5th November with lanterns made by the local children and then a spectacular bonfire and firework display. Along with that, the night before is our twice monthly Scottish Music night where we have our own bonfire too.

December
The last of our 2011 Gourmet nights is on the 3rd followed by Santa coming to Arduaine Garden on 17th to give out presents to all the good little children (and probably a few naughty ones too!).

Our usual three day Christmas Package starts on the 24th and our Hogmanay Package on the 30th, bringing back return guests time and time again.

For more information and to keep up to date on events in and around Loch Melfort, visit our Special Offers and Events pages. We hope to see you some point during the year!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

A New Year, a New Start

January 11th, 2011

After a very successful summer season which went on well into October, and then a busy Christmas and Hogmanay, it is now time to shut the doors on the hotel for two weeks for some general maintenance, decorating and a general deep clean of all areas which can’t be done with guests about. We might even find a day or so to have a well earned rest!

All six of our Cedar Wing ground floor dog-friendly rooms are having a makeover with new paint and soft furnishings to add to our ongoing refurbishment work. The Hotel will then re-open on Monday 24th January with a new offer for our opening week; stay for two nights, with one night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for £98 per person and the second night Bed and Breakfast FREE! Added to that, we will also include a complimentary bottle of wine of your choice on arrival.

Enjoy a break and see if the first snowdrops are on their way out!

Tags: refurbishment
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »