A fairytale Scottish castle beside a dark loch, surrounded by dense woodland and misty mountains; Morgan cars to hire; and more than 360 Scotch whiskies to taste, including selected single malts. This is The Torridon, a hotel that feels like a gateway into another dimension.
The hotel is named after nearby Loch Torridon on Scotland’s northwest coast, and on a clear day the Hebridean islands can be seen on the horizon. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a butler who seems to have stepped straight out of the 19th century and looks accustomed to welcoming Queen Victoria. The rooms follow suit: any one of them could serve as the set for a Scottish episode of ‘Downton Abbey.’
The surrounding Highlands positively demand to be explored. You can set out on hikes, go mountain climbing, kayaking, archery, duck hunting and more. The highlight, however, is the opportunity to hire a Morgan for a full day’s drive around the area. The hotel has an agreement with the company, which still builds its cars by hand, and they are particularly well suited to the winding roads of northwest Scotland—and to being photographed against the castle.
However you spend the day, every route is a good one if it brings you back in the evening to finish at the hotel’s whisky bar. The bar has been named a highly commended whisky icon several times by the Whisky Magazine Awards, and offers classic whiskies alongside some exceptionally rare ones. A whisky-tasting evening for an individual or a group can also be arranged in advance.
The Torridon Hotel, Achnasheen, Wester Ross — Scotland
The Torridon — official website
Archive article, originally published in Cigar on April 21, 2021. Descriptions and services reflect the original publication.
