Register to get 3 free articles
Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
A new cafe overlooking Castle Stalker and Loch Linnhe is set to open in early 2026 after Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin took over the refurbishment of the former Castle Stalker View Cafe.The venue, located on the A828 between Ballachulish and Connel, closed in April 2025 following the departure of its previous tenant. The closure ended more than two decades of service and resulted in the loss of local jobs.
The Pierhouse team now plans to complete a winter refurbishment and reopen the site before Easter. The cafe will include indoor and outdoor seating with views across Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker, Sgeir Bhuidhe Lighthouse and the islands of Mull and Lismore towards the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
The year-round operation is expected to support 10 full-time and part-time hospitality and retail roles. The daytime menu will feature home baking, seasonal soup and sandwiches, alongside hot and chilled drinks. A small shop will stock Scottish and local products.
General manager Fiona McLean said the new site would continue to serve both residents and visitors travelling the Argyll coast by car, foot, cycle or kayak, including those using National Route 78 of the Caledonian Way.
McLean said: “It’s a privilege to be leading the revival of this iconic Argyll coast venue and ensuring its continuation as a local community and tourism asset. The cafe has been an integral part of Argyll’s tourism offering for more than 20 years, so we’re committed to preserving its legacy, while enhancing the experience for both locals and visitors.
“With its uninterrupted panoramic views over Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker, we hope that our new look cafe will quickly become one of Scotland’s most popular food and drink destinations.”
She added: “We’re already developing a daytime menu for visitors and the local community seven days a week with a focus on classic home baking and local, seasonal produce. A small shop will also offer a choice of authentic Scottish and local products, and some store cupboard essentials.”
She noted that diners seeking an a la carte seafood menu could visit the restaurant at the nearby Pierhouse Hotel in Port Appin, which serves langoustines, mussels, lobsters and oysters sourced from Loch Linnhe, Loch Etive and Loch Creran.
The Pierhouse Hotel, around two miles from the new site, is known for its seafood restaurant and has been recognised with three silver stars, two AA rosettes and a listing in the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland. The hotel is also home to Scotland’s chef of the year and romantic restaurant of the year 2025.
