Seeing Scotland #1 - Inveraray
This May I
had the pleasure of spending two days in the quaint Scottish town of Inveraray.
During this time I visited a number of the nearby shops and restaurants and I
was so blown away by some that I had to list my favourites here for you. This
post will detail my top 6 must-sees in Inveraray, with plenty of pictures, and there’s
even a bonus at the end for you! Plus, all of the listed must-sees are dog
friendly, so you can go on holiday with your furry friends and treat them to a
day out too – no member of the family need be left behind! I’ll start by showing
you the incredible view as you approach along the coast towards the town:
Inveraray is
on the West Coast of Scotland, in Argyll. I visited on a bank holiday weekend
and, although busy, we managed to get parked on the main street of the town
both days. All of the must-sees are on the main street and the bonus attraction
isn’t far. I imagine it gets busier again during the summer, but all of the holiday
lets and caravan parks aren’t too far either and there are bus links in the
area. Now let’s get started!
A poignant
piece of Scottish history, Inveraray Jail is an educational trip that is also
fun for all the family. Children under 5, dogs, and wheelchair users are
admitted free of charge, and others at a low cost. Unfortunately, wheelchair
users can only access the ground floor due to the old steps that wind through
the jail. There is disabled parking and a small car park, as well as plenty of
on-street parking as well. Once inside the jail you will get to see various
exhibits, including a courtroom and both old and new jails. And, of course,
there is also a gift shop for any souvenirs.
I came across
this little shop on the main street and, although from the outside it doesn’t
look like much, when I stepped inside I was blown away. The shop was filled
with beautiful ornaments, stones, and dream catchers. If you are looking for a
unique souvenir or gift then this is the place to go! I bought this beautiful
little dream catcher, but I wanted to leave with everything:
This place is the star of Inveraray – I didn’t stay in the hotel but the restaurant was so good that I visited it both days and would definitely consider staying in the hotel next time I visit. At the 2018 Scottish Hotel Awards they won 4 of the top awards for their categories – Best Town Hotel, Best Bar Dining Hotel, Best Head Chef, and Best Head Sous-chef – and when you visit the hotel it really shows. The hotel has been owned by the Clark family for seven generations since 1860 and every generation has upheld the beautiful building to the highest standard. The food was absolutely incredible; everything was cooked to perfection, the seafood was so incredibly fresh, and their drinks list was unbelievably extensive (although the cocktail I tried – Raspberry Royale – was so good that I had to get it both days). All of the staff were helpful, polite, and very welcoming. I dined in both the restaurant area and the beer garden, and both are well-kept, calming, and utterly beautiful. I cannot recommend this establishment highly enough. If you are in Inveraray you must visit here!
(Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Cookies and Cream Cheesecake, Mussels, Steak Pie, Salmon Brioche Roll, Cocktails, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Scallops and Risotto, Creme Brulee, Seafood Selection |
This shop
looks very unassuming from the front, but I cannot deny that it has an
incredible selection of sweet treats and some of the best ice-cream that I’ve
tasted! It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re walking along the pier or
looking for a quick sugar fix between sight-seeing.
I know that
when I visited here it was no where near the Christmas season but, as Christmas
is my favourite time of year, I thought I better take a look – and I was not
disappointed. Aromas of cinnamon and mulled wine fill the shop, and everything was
so beautiful that it felt like I had been transported to the North Pole. The
shop was small and cosy, and the owner greeted you at the front when you entered,
making the whole place very welcoming. All of the decorations were delicate and
ornate looking, with glitter and beautiful colours sprinkled around the room.
There were Scottish souvenirs, traditional decorations, and more quirky items.
I will definitely be taking a trip back to Inveraray closer to Christmas
especially to visit this shop.
Driving into
Inveraray, I spotted this little shop on the main street and decided
immediately that it would be the first place I visited. I love baking and
chocolates, so couldn’t wait to see what they had inside. I was in wonder as
soon as I entered. The shop was filled with jars and baskets of luxury
chocolates, but the thing that caught my eye was the display cabinet lined with
a beautiful selection of truffles and individual chocolates.
I had a
difficult time narrowing down my selection but, in the end, I left with a
bespoke box of 6 individual chocolates and a chocolate dog that looked just like
my border collie, and my friend left with amaretto toffees and rum truffles.
Everything was absolutely delicious – whether you are a master chocolatier or
just a regular chocolate lover like myself, this is definitely somewhere you
need to check out!
Flavours (Left to Right, Top to Bottom) - Strawberry, Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Tiramisu, Creme Brulee, Sicilian Lemon |
Photo taken from Inveraray Castle website |
Unfortunately
I didn’t get the chance to visit the castle as dogs are not permitted (except guide
dogs), but I definitely intend to go back and see it. From the exterior the
building is breath-taking, and I can imagine that the interior is just as
amazing. There are various section of the castle to visit, from the gardens to
the private apartment tours, and of course there is a souvenir shop for
beautiful Scottish gifts and a lovely tearoom for a coffee break or light lunch.
There is also venue hire, if you are holding a special event such as a wedding
and you may also like to know that it was the chosen location for the filming
of the 2012 Christmas special of Downton Abbey! If you have the time, this is
definitely worth a visit.
After an
incredible two days visiting Inveraray, I will definitely be returning. I was
not disappointed by a single place that I went to, and there is still more of
this stunning town to see.
Have you
been to any of these places, or do you have any other suggestions for sights in
Inveraray? Let me know in the comments!
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