Highland Coast Hotels reopens two sites after £1.8m refurb

Highland Coast Hotels has reopened the Plockton Inn and The Tongue Hotel following a £1.8m refurbishment. The two Highland hotels, both situated on the North Coast 500, are now welcoming overnight guests and diners after completing the “extensive” four-month refurbishment at both properties. Tongue Hotel, 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. The new ‘Deluxe Feature’ bedroom at Tongue Hotel has a “sumptuous and decadent feel” for example, complete with a free-standing roll top bath, rich and textured soft furnishings, and an open fireplace. At Tongue Hotel’s new 40-cover destination restaurant, Varrich, 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. Meanwhile, the Plockton Inn 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 Scottish poet, Sorley MacLean, who lived on the site for a number of years. The newly refurbished 80-cover restaurant and bar at the Plockton Inn has retained 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 that again use local produce, including fresh Langoustines from Loch Carron. 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 seafood and other locally sourced delicacies. 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. “Guests 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.” The redevelopment of Tongue Hotel and Plockton Inn has been supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.