The Old Court House

Room 4 was up in the attic, with exposed beams, wood floors, pine furniture, old prints and books, plus a small fridge, coffee setup and air conditioning. The beams give it character, though the decor is looking tired. The bathroom is tiny, and sitting on the toilet meant my knees bumped the shower or toilet roll holder. The steep stairs down have an awkward turn at the door, and the low beams could catch taller guests. We could hear doors slamming and floorboards creaking in other rooms, birds on the roof, street noise and cleaning trolleys early in the morning. The single-glazed window let in cold air and morning light. WiFi login did not work. The place is just off the one-way system near the town centre. There’s no dedicated parking, though nearby street spaces are free for two hours from 08:30-18:30, unlimited after that and on Sundays. You can pull up briefly on the double yellow lines to unload luggage. I’d called a week ahead to ask for an early arrival so I could change for a wedding, and that had been agreed. On the day it felt awkward: the cleaner was still in the room and seemed stroppy when we asked to leave our bags. There wasn’t a shared area where we could change, either. Check-in from 5-8pm and 10am checkout aren’t especially convenient. There’s some charm to the outside, but the place falls somewhere between antique and worn. The sign is clear. After three stone steps and the doorbell, you come into a tiny reception area that smelled of laundry from a nearby dryer. Carpeted stairs go up to Room 4, then another narrow flight with old grey carpet leads to a loft with two single beds and a double. No breakfast is provided, which may be just as well given the setup. It’s an unusual, characterful place, but between the awkward arrival, limited comfort and noise, I didn’t find it very relaxing.

Right in the middle of this rejuvenated market town, with the Man of Ross pub about 30 metres away. The food and ale there were brilliant. The building itself is very old and full of interest, clean and well run, and it has a homely feel. Some people will find things to moan about, I’m sure, but if you’re after a modern style, this probably isn’t for you. I like unusual places, and this suited me.

The toilets were really clean, and the food was just as good. The shepherd’s pie was unreal, especially the mint gravy and fresh veg. Most of the meat is butchered in house. Milkshakes get a 10/10 from me. Victoria gave us a lovely warm welcome, and Kate was lush, so attentive. We’ll come back for Sunday lunch sometime.

We had the family loft room, which was really spacious and even had a freestanding bath. The rooms were great, and the decor fits the building beautifully. The whole place has loads of character and charm. Christopher was a wonderful host, nothing was too much trouble, and breakfast was fab. Highly recommend.