The Ballinluig

The Sunday roast was enormous, with a generous amount of beef and all the trimmings: tatties, parsnips, carrots, broccoli, sprouts, red cabbage, two yorkies and gravy. They asked how I liked my beef cooked, which I appreciated. My only suggestion would be to offer mustard or horseradish on the side. Prices were very reasonable, much cheaper than Pitlochry, and there’s plenty of parking outside and clean toilets. We got a really warm welcome and prompt service. There was a great menu with lots of specials, which the Chef talked us through. The game options, including rabbit and venison, sounded exciting, and there’s also a classic Sunday roast and a Festive menu. I’ll have to come back and try more.

The room was spacious enough for us to spread out our luggage and sort it all out towards the end of our trip. It was clean and comfortable, and dinner was absolutely delicious. Breakfast was great too, and the staff were super friendly. My only real issue was that I hadn’t realised when booking how close the place was to a busy road. Traffic woke me a few times overnight. I’d stay again, but would bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

The Ballinluig Inn is ideally placed just a minute off the A9, and the Superior room was warm, clean and very comfortable. The food from Paul the Chef was hearty and extremely tasty, backed by his 30 years of experience. It’s five-star accommodation, and I’ve become a repeat customer. The bar has a good range of proper whiskies. My favourite was Edradour, Scotland’s smallest distillery, close enough to visit while staying at the Ballinluig. Staff and locals in the bar make you feel right at home. Top tip: the food here is the best, and much better than the Grill next door. You’ll love eating here!

We wouldn’t recommend staying here. The breakfast and water pressure were about the only positives for us. The room felt like a prison or construction site box: cheap plastic or MDF walls, a squeaky, uneven floor with lots of bumps, and a sticky surface that felt as though oil or honey had baked onto it. Noise was a big problem too. For much of the night, people walked or ran along the hallway, making our whole bed shake. Outside the room, a blow-off valve or ventilator kept releasing air and steam. The whole stay also smelled like being inside a deep fryer. Maybe other rooms are better, but we couldn’t get past our experience.