Lion Unicorn

My friend and I came for dinner on Saturday, after I’d told her how lovely the place was. I’ve been there countless times with my parents, and my family love it so much they booked a surprise overnight stay with breakfast for my grandparents. We’d phoned ahead and a lovely woman said we could have our table from 5:45 to 7:30, which suited us fine. When we arrived, the staff member didn’t greet us, just asked if we had a reservation. I gave the 5:45 booking time, and she said it wasn’t there and asked if I was sure. I showed her my call log, and she found it. Then she told us, without another word, that we had to leave by 7. We said we’d been told 7:30, but she kept repeating “yes, 7” in a passive aggressive tone. We were led to an empty room and told the main area was full when we asked to sit there. Yet each time we walked past during dinner, there were several empty tables, and more still when we paid. Before we’d even sat down, she asked for our drink order. When we asked for a moment to think, she stared and walked off, then returned to ask again in less than a minute. While taking our food order, I politely asked for fries with my chicken burger. She replied, “okay a chicken burger with chips,” then said she’d meant my friend’s order, though my friend hadn’t been asked whether she wanted chips or fries. She didn’t apologise for her rude tone or answer. While we were still eating our starters, she asked if we’d finished. We said we were still eating, but she looked annoyed, took our mains through and put them on the table without saying to enjoy the meal. Another waitress was lovely and asked if we wanted sauces. The first woman kept coming into the room to clean without speaking. My friend smiled at her and she just stared back. Later, while we paused for a moment, she lifted our plates and asked if we were done while holding them above us. Neither of us had finished, and we hadn’t put down our cutlery or napkins to signal that. We decided to leave it there because she’d made us so uncomfortable and was so rude, then she walked away without a word. Another group of women arrived at 6:30. After they ordered, the same waitress told them the table was needed at 8, which confused them too because nobody had mentioned it before. At 6:58, two minutes before we were supposedly due out, she asked in the same off tone if we wanted pudding. We said no, and she told us to go up to pay. We felt singled out. An older couple arrived, and she couldn’t have been nicer to them. We’re two women in our early twenties, and we’d been polite throughout. My friend has worked in hospitality since she was 16 and was shocked; she said she’d never treat paying customers that way. Every other staff member we spoke to was lovely, which makes it such a shame. My friend and I travelled from Edinburgh for the day and had been looking forward to a cosy dinner, but this one staff member made us feel uncomfortable the whole time. She had a short blonde-ish brown pixie cut, glasses and a red beaded necklace. After this experience, we definitely won’t return. My parents say they won’t be back either after I told them.

Dinner was amazing and breakfast was tremendous. The rooms were great, and the staff made us feel so welcome. Fiona and the girls make this a lovely place to stay. Can't wait to come back for another break. Thank you all at Lion and Unicorn. ❤️

The food was hearty and the prices very reasonable. We had black pudding and haggis fritters to start, then a prawn sandwich and chicken Balmoral, with a pint of Bellhaven best. A lovely afternoon bar meal by a roaring open fire, with friendly service. It’s a 30-minute drive from Falkirk, but well worth it. Must come back to try the steaks 👌

The food was first class, and every member of staff was welcoming and attentive. We had a great two-night stay and will definitely return.