The hotel reminded me of an old hunting lodge, with lots of thick stone blocks and corner turrets. That image continued inside with tartan carpets, leaded glass windows, and dark, heavy furniture. The restaurant had a large wood burning fire place and the walls were decorated with thick, heavy picture frames and mirrors and a multitude of stag horns.

Their menu featured steaks, seafood, and Scottish specialties, but it seemed that most diners were here for the buffet featuring traditional Scottish food. We started with a big bowl of hearty Scotch broth and freshly baked wheat bread. Then our waitress brought us large, heated dinner plates from the kitchen and set us loose at the buffet tables. We feasted on clapshot (mashed turnip and potatoes), potato and black pudding hash, minced beef in gravy, fish pie, steak casserole, haggis, chopped boiled cabbage with ham, stovies (mashed vegetables and meat), steamed vegetables, skirlie (oatmeal fried with onions & butter), venison casserole, mashed potatoes and sliced potatoes in cream. Jim raved about the fish pie which was filled with salmon, white fish, prawns and mussels) and I particularly liked the steak, mushroom, and ale casserole, but all the dishes were delicious, hot, and fresh.

The buffet cost £9.25 per person. Coffee and dessert was not included in the price. We were too full to order dessert anyway, although selections included sticky toffee pudding, profiteroles, trifle, and strawberry meringue.

The hotel has a second restaurant but the buffet is only available in the main dining room on Thursday nights, and reservations are definitely recommended. We were lucky to get in without them, but others who came in after us were turned away at the door.