The Torridon Hotel in Wester Ross has been awarded the AA’s top accreditation, with a five-star rating.
The award, described by owner Dan Rose-Bristow as, “extremely satisfying,” follows a £140,000 refurbishment programme at the 131-year-old former shooting lodge.
Set in a 58-acre estate on the edge of a sea loch at Annat, about 60 miles from Inverness, the award-winning hotel has 18 bedrooms as well as a 12-bedroom inn, activity centre, self-catering boat house and a herd of Highland cattle.
The AA’s top accolade recognises establishments that offer luxurious accommodation and public areas, a high-quality menu and wine list, a range of extra facilities and a multilingual service as well as a greeting for guests at the hotel entrance.
Mr Rose-Bristow, who owns and operates the Torridon with his wife, Rohaise, said: “The Torridon offers a consistently high level of service. We are continuously refreshing bedrooms and the 1887 restaurant is renowned for its top-class menus. To receive recognition for this is extremely satisfying.”
Built for the first Earl of Lovelace, the Victorian lodge was bought by Mrs Rose-Bristow’s parents, David and Geraldine Gregory, in 1992, with Dan and Rohaise joining the business seven years later.
The hotel is a two-time winner of the AA’s Scottish Hotel of the Year Award. Staff member Rosie Wilkins was named apprentice of the year at the 2017 Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.