Reviews
Entry from the Good Hotels Guide on AOL |
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Bealach House ‘Everything superb.’ ‘Possibly the best guest house we have ever stayed in.’ Much praise this year for Jim and Hilary McFadyen’s home, originally a shepherd’s croft, then a farmhouse, the only dwelling in the Salachan Glen. ‘One-and-a-half miles up a forestry track, but well worth the ride’, it has lovely views, ‘surrounded by woods and mountains’ (golden eagles and deer are sometimes seen). It is ‘beautifully decorated’: muted colours and tasteful furnishings, a fire in the lounge, plenty of books and games. Bedrooms, not large, are ‘warmly furnished, immaculately clean and extremely comfortable’. Bathrooms have a power shower (one also has a bath). ‘Hilary’s cooking is delightful’; her mantra is ‘if it can be made on the premises, it is’, including the cake with the arrival cup of tea, breads, jams and ice creams. Dinner is three courses, each with three alternatives (eg, pan-fried sea bass on roast tomatoes with pesto) including a vegetarian option. ‘The food is outstanding.’ A complimentary glass or two of wine is offered with dinner (the McFadyens have no licence and are happy for guests to bring their own). Breakfasts are ‘innovative’, and include fresh pressed juices of the day. (JD Hartley, GM, Michael Schofield) 3 bedrooms. Off A828 midway between Oban and Fort William. Open Feb—mid-Dec. Lounge, conservatory, dining room; occasionally classical background music evenings. 8-acre grounds. No smoking. No children under 14. No dogs. MasterCard, Visa accepted. B&B £30--£55 per person. Set dinner £25. |
Extract from "Scottish Food - an impression" 18/8/2006
Elisabeth J. Meibooms blog - allabouteating.
Some say the only decent meal one can get in Scotland is a cooked breakfast. I don't agree, though I do like a hearty treat before bagging half a munro. The best Scottish breakfast, with the best black pudding ever, I ate at Bealach, a truly get-away-from-it-all guesthouse in Salachan Glen (between Oban and Glencoe). It's the only house in the glen, to be reached by a dirt track with encouraging road signs ('You're on the right track', Nearly there', etc.). It would be highly unfair if I would praise them for their black pudding (Macleod's of Stornoway), as it is the only item that is not made on the premises. Bread, marmelade, cakes, flap jacks, ginger cookies, excellent three course dinners and sweet after dinner things, all is made by a very relaxed hostess herself.
Review from The Sunday Herald Magazine 20/11/2005
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
Bealach Country House, Duror, Argyll
By Chris Pech
Why?
It appeals to my sense of "the way things would be if I were King of the world." - five star treatment at three star prices. The owners are wonderful, the scenery is fabulous and the food... fantastic!
Postcard potential
The only surviving house of what was once a small hamlet at the head of Salachan Glen; the land around which has since been made into a forestry reserve. The serenity, clean air and lack of any other building in site make you feel like you're in your own private glen. Rivers, monroes (hill above 3000 feet), stunningly beautiful views and the odd sheep or cow are all the eye can see in every direction. (I think I used two rolls of film on the drive up the path alone.)
Fabulousness
Nothing has been overlooked - full stop. The Bealach's owners Jimmy and Hilary McFadyen have definitely heeded all my kingly edicts as they pertain to guesthouses and B&Bs. From the moment you step through the door you feel at home – except it's the home you've always wished you had and more.
Tastefully decorated rooms, happily lacking the explosion of flower patterns which have gone off in every other B&B across the nation are blended with thoughtful touches like a variety of complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate fixings along with home-made bickies in your room. They've even thought to supply you with both feather and foam pillows to satisfy super finicky guests - like my partner.
Gut feelings
Food, oh...! So good!
By all means, spend your day exploring the area, hill-walking or whatever - but no matter what, come home for dinner!!
Hilary, the gourmet of the dynamic duo that are your hosts, is a self-trained chef with a flair and creativity that would put Jamie Oliver to shame. Breakfast alone was a rare game of try-not-to-burst-your-buttons. With a generous selection of cooked-to-order items, which Jimmy informs me I may have any or all of, including Hilary-made preserves, fresh-pressed juices and homemade bread, I begin to wish I had the extra storage capacity of our bovine friends outside.
Dinner menus change daily, with a variety of delightful dishes dreamt up and cooked by your ever-impressive hostess. Each new menu consists of three choices of starters, mains and dessert followed by coffee or tea and "home made sweet things". (Which, for us included these amazing white chocolate clusters with candied ginger and hazelnuts - drool!) The “Savoury Fruit Salad with Minted Tomato Sorbet" starter left my taste buds dazzled, only to be followed up with an equally inspired main and a suitably decadent dessert. Though the Bealach is not licensed to sell alcohol, you may BYOB and Jimmy and Hilary do serve a complimentary glass or two of very decent wine with your meal. Be prepared to make brand new resolutions to go back to the gym.
Doorstep challenge
First off, you're in the middle of some incredibly beautiful countryside, which you are more than welcome to explore. As well as being nestled amongst some amazingly verdant hills begging to be walked and right next to Loch Linnhe; Fort William, Glencoe and Oban are just a few miles away. A good day-trip Hilary suggested (and I'm glad she did) was the gondola ride on the mountain of Aonach Mor.
The only lift of its kind in Britain, the gondolas transport you effortlessly 2150ft up the north face of Aonach Mor to some spectacular views, challenging walks (I'm told) and (most importantly) a satisfying cup of hot chocolate.
Bealach Country House, Duror of Appin, Argyll
(http://www.bealach-house.co.uk, info@bealach-house.co.uk, 01631 740 298)
B&B - £35.00 PP-PN. Three Course Dinner - £20.00 PP
( Special Winter Rate. From November to March 15 th . £45 per person per night for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Minimum 2 consecutive nights stay)
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