Glen Mhor Hotel

The Glen Mhor Hotel sits on Ness Bank, on the bank of the River Ness in a city-centre conservation area, a few minutes on foot from Inverness Castle and the town centre. It occupies ten Victorian buildings with 110 bedrooms, along with eleven self-contained apartments, so it can suit couples, families and groups. The site includes the Uile-bheist Restaurant, serving sustainable local food in the grounds, and is home to the first distillery and brewery in Inverness in more than 130 years, with daily tours. Dogs are welcome on site and in rooms.

The big appeal is the mix of location and character. Rooms are spread over several period houses, so layouts vary, and the apartments with kitchens are good for families, longer stays or anyone planning to cook. The river walk to the castle, cathedral and Ness Islands begins nearly at the door, and the centre is a short stroll across the footbridge.

The distillery and brewery add a whisky angle that suits Inverness better than most hotels can manage. You can take the on-site tour, taste the local spirits and beer, and then plan a Speyside day tour, so it makes a natural base for the whisky trip in this guide. The hotel also lists distillery tour and stay packages and winter break offers on its website.

Who it suits: mid-budget couples, families and groups, dog owners, and travellers who like a lively base with a restaurant and bar. Good to know: with ten buildings, ask for a room close to the main reception if mobility is an issue, because walking between buildings can mean steps and outdoor paths. Breakfast is not described as a standard inclusion on the website, so check your rate, and request a quieter side if you are sensitive to noise from the bar and the busy Ness Bank road. The railway station is about a mile away, so a taxi is easy on arrival.