The Inn @ Inverbeg

I thought I would put in a few words about the Inn@Inverbeg as it is on a Group On offer this weekend, however on just checking again it looks like it has sold out!...but I still believe it's worth a mention in case you are ever north of the border.

When we went camping to Luss In August (see blogs 10 days in Loch Lomond - Parts One to Three) the Inn was our "local" and we absolutely loved it and are hoping to go and stay there for a week next year.

The first night we had to call in was our first night, we were tired from setting up the camp and needed food quick not having eaten since breakfast. The camp site had a handy map at the entrance pointing out local tourist spots and places to eat and we noticed there was a chippy two minutes down the road, so off we set.

The "chippy" turned out to be the Inn@Inverbeg. After a bit of confusion where we mistook the hotels kitchen as the takeaway, we ended up in "Mr C's Fish & Whisky Bar". It was nicely busy and had real Scottish charm. It had some stone walls but was modern with solid wood tables and leather chairs. You could eat at a dining table or more casually on sofas round a coffee table or in armchairs in the lounge around dining tables. Lauren especially loved the cow hide chairs. As well as food, they specialise in Scottish Malt Whisky and the bar stocked a huge selection and as Tony was to find out the barman had plenty of knowledge to guide you to what you wanted.

The menus were for indoor dining as well as take away and had the novel gimmick that you could sit around the table with your party and write down everyone's orders, actually on the menu, it had tick boxes and a space for notes and then take it to the bar to order. We ordered two "Inverbeg fish teas" - battered haddock, with chips and bread and butter and one "Little C's fish and chips". We had a drink while we were waiting, well it would be rude not to as they also stock a range of real ales. No sooner had we finished our drinks than someone appeared with a large paper carrier bag filled containing a steaming hot fish supper. We drove to Loch Lomond and ate them hungrily while admiring the beautiful scenery. The fish was gorgeous and the batter so crispy, hard to do especially on a takeaway when the food is wrapped and the moisture kicks in. What I loved was that there was no soggy bit between the batter and the fish just meaty fish and crunchy batter, the best fish and chips ever are at Roland's Happy Plaice in Porthleven, Cornwall, but Inverbeg's do come a happy second!

Tony's seafood linguine

My burger

Kids meal

Tired and confused!

On Friday after a long day at Glasgow Science Centre we were in no mood to cook, so we called back in. This time it was very busy but we found a corner to sit in, at a round table with some nice leather easy chairs. After a little thinking time Tony ordered the Seafood Linguine, Char-grilled Buccleuch (local beef) Steak Burger for me and Lauren had the Chicken Goujon's. I don't normally go in for burgers but this burger was amazing, a great char grilled taste, but the burger was still juicy and moist and served in a delicious seeded roll. It was served with the loveliest, home made crunchy onion rings and hand cut chips and was accompanied by a sweet tomato chutney, my photos don't so it justice. Tony had nothing but praise for his linguine, he especially loved the chunks of butter soft, lightly smoked salmon in the sauce. The only criticism I had of the meals was that Tony's looked like it had waited a while before coming out, but he had no complaints. Lauren's dinner confused her by coming out in a basket. She ate her chicken but as usual only a few chips and no peas. I had the peas, for a change from a pub meal they were cooked! We tried a bit of Lauren's chicken it was so succulent, it was lovely to see a children's meal, even if it was chicken and chips, where a bit of effort had been put in!

As you can probably guess we liked the place and so on the way back from Blair Drummond Safari Park on our last day, the seven of us, decided to call in for a "last supper". It didn't disappoint, the staff were friendly and helpful, after dinner Tony wanted to try a malt whiskey but wasn't sure which one, he prefers non peaty but wanted to try something with a subtle peaty taste. The bar man was knowledgeable and steered him to a whisky which he really enjoyed, in fact they struck up quite a conversation, so me and Lauren sat in reception in a big comfy chair and waited, nice and relaxed until they finished. That's where I picked up some info about staying at the Inn, they have rooms there above the restaurant and "Beach Houses" just a couple of minutes across the road over looking the loch.

As I said it's a long way to drive for your fish and chips but if you are thinking about heading that way call in.