Balvraid Lodge B&B

The room and bathroom were spacious and spotless, and the homemade breakfasts were delicious. The menu had plenty of good choices, including haggis made by the host's husband and eggs from their own chicken coop. In the evenings we enjoyed chatting with the other guests by the fireplace, then again over breakfast. My mom and I came in July to celebrate my 21st birthday. Balvraid Lodge isn't within walking distance of Inverness, so we rented a car and drove out, despite being new to driving on the left. It was well worth it, and we only wished we had more time there. The grounds are vast, with trails to explore alongside the sweet dogs, Margot and Nelly. We also enjoyed seeing the sheep. On arrival, Ms. Rachael greeted us with afternoon tea and cake, which she makes wonderfully. She's kind, attentive, and quick to respond or check in with guests. The care she puts into the B&B really shows. Thank you, Ma'am, for making our stay so memorable. This is the best bed and breakfast I've stayed at, and my mother and I will always treasure our time here. I'd love to bring my partner to Balvraid Lodge someday. Such a cozy, authentic place to stay.

Rachel was so nice, and the whole family made us feel welcome. Her son showed us their pet lamb and an attentive border collie, and Rachel even shared her lemon cake recipe. We had the fresh eggs from their chickens at breakfast, and they made a great omelet. The property was wonderfully quiet. We spotted pheasants on the drive in, and there were deer around too, along with the chickens. Rachel served us their locally distilled single malt whiskey with lemon cake by the fireplace. A perfect place for a peaceful getaway.

The breakfast Rachel cooked to order was amazing, with so many options. The house is beautifully furnished, with fresh flowers and quality linen. Our room had modern facilities, a lovely ensuite bathroom, and a huge, very comfortable king size bed. James welcomed us with tea and cake by the lovely open fire when we arrived. We loved our stay and thoroughly recommend it for an authentic stay in the Highlands.

Rachel is what makes Balvraid Lodge so special. She kept the fireplace supplied with logs, had fresh baked treats around, and was accommodating about our needs and schedule. She was always pleasant and happy to chat. We had such a relaxing stay, and I can see why it gets five stars again and again. I've travelled a lot, including Africa, China, Europe, and Canada, and stayed in resorts, hotels, and B&Bs. This is easily the best one I've visited, by a long way. The house looks like a castle from outside, and inside there are all kinds of antiques, from royal portraits to books about the Scots and Irish. I read some of them, though mostly looked at the pictures. The rooms are lovely and clean, and the bathroom is extremely spacious. There are walking trails on the property, which I believe covers a few thousand acres. And the Scottish breakfasts are fit for royalty. I can't recommend the place enough. It's legit.