Highland Coast Hotels announces £1.8m refurbishment across two hotels

Highland Coast Hotels has announced plans for a £1.8m refurbishment of the Tongue Hotel and the Plockton Inn in the northern Scottish Highlands.

Both sites will reopen in April 2023 following an extensive three-month renovation supported by Rona Douglas Interiors and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

The Tongue Hotel, a former 19th century sporting lodge on the North Coast 500, will offer 19 guestrooms and a refurbished restaurant and bar featuring artwork from local artists Rona Kant and Katherine Sutherland.

Restaurant Varrich, inspired by the remains of the Viking Castle Varrich opposite the hotel, will serve 40 covers with additional al fresco seating for up to 30 guests.

The Plockton Inn, which the group acquired last April, will reduce its room offering from 14 to 12 to allow for larger ensuite bathrooms. It will refurbish ‘Sorley's House', introduce an 80-cover restaurant, and feature artwork by Danny Campbell, Cath Waters of Skye and Sam Bilner across the inn.

David Whiteford, chairman of Highland Coast Hotels, said: "We're really excited to be welcoming the iconic Tongue Hotel and Plockton Inn to the Highland Coast Hotels collection this spring.

"We've invested a significant amount of time, money, care and attention to detail to give both venues a sympathetic and contemporary makeover. As with all our venues, the focus is also on creating environmentally-friendly hotels and supporting local communities, suppliers, producers, designers and artists."

Scottish-based group Highland Coast Hotels was founded in 2021 and has since acquired four hotels across the region: Kylesku Hotel in the West Highlands; Newton Lodge near Loch Glencoul; Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch; and the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora.