Great news: Mhor is more. The clutch of foodie enterprises run under the Mhor name by the ever-energetic Tom and Dick Lewis and their wives Lisa and Mhairi, has a younger sibling. Mhor 84 is a relaxed, small, no-frills roadside ‘motel’ (on the A84, hence the name) that serves as Balquhidder's boozer, walkers’ tea room, community hub and great food destination. 2 miles from the centre of the village, it's the antithesis of anonymous roadside travel lodges, and a cheap-and-chic alternative to the secluded luxury of Monachyle Mhor (the Lewis’s hotel at the end of the glen).
The transformation of the tired tartan-carpeted Kings Head inn that’s stood here for 300 years has been so dramatic that locals are still reaching for their whiskies in disbelief. It was revamped in just 5 busy weeks on a shoestring budget, but with the inimitable Lewis flair. White paint replaced coloured wallpapers, producing a bright contemporary feel, while vintage china and deer antler chandeliers give a stylish touch and woodburners make it feel like home. Upstairs are 7 simple ensuite bedrooms, most with mountain views, out back are a couple more rooms and a family-sized cottage. Cyclists and walkers on the Rob Roy Way, business travellers and holidaymakers wanting a stop-off will all love it.
Highs
- You're in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - heaven for hiking, cycling, mountain climbing and fishing
- Stylish in a relaxed shabby-chic way, and fantastic value
- Tasty food: Tom and Mhairi both run other restaurants and really know about sourcing the best local ingredients
- The atmosphere - everyone feels truly welcomed here and it would be hard to find friendlier staff
- You can't get much more remote in the UK, yet it’s only an hour's drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh (and there's a large car park so no stress as you arrive)
Lows
- The rooms are basic and some find their bare white walls and junkshop furniture too spartan, but they’re priced accordingly
- Full pre-payment due on reservation
- The white Venetian blinds in the bedrooms, while pretty, don’t keep out the light very well. In summer this could be a problem so pack an eyemask
- Bathrooms are yet to be refurbed so are rather dated
- Rooms are over the bar so you may hear chatter, plus live music at the weekends (and lorries hurtling along the A84), but hey, this is an inn, and the double glazing keeps out most of the road noise
Best time to go
Any time of year: in winter, huddle by the woodburners or around the bar (made of recycled bottle tops) and sample local whiskies or cask ales with the locals. Some stop off en route to the ski slopes of Glencoe. In summer enjoy the mountains and lochs, the views and the long days. In May, the Lewis family organize a Mhor Festival at Monachyle Mhor down the glen, which includes live music and a feast cooked by Scotland’s top chefs, and in June walkers and cyclists alike join in the Rob Roy Challenge on the Rob Roy Way. For autumn colours and quieter roads, September and October are the months.
Our top tips
Don't miss the hotel's shop, Mhor in Store, which sells a selection of prints, textiles, clothing, food and drink. Great for gifts!
- Boutique Motel + Cottage
- 7 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Pool Table
- Board games
- Bike hire
Rooms
Bare white walls, bright artworks and assorted furniture makes for a simple but stylish look in the bedrooms. As much of the furniture is recycled, each room is different, but all are the same price. We particularly liked Room 3, pure white except for a yellow row of clothes hooks - the nearest you’ll get to a wardrobe here. Room 1 is the quietest; rooms 5 and 6 are dog-friendly; room 7 has a kingsize bed and great views. Most bathrooms have both tub and shower, except for Rooms 3 and 4 which are shower only.
Room 2 is the Family Room - it has a large oak-backed double bed, plus 2 bunk beds. But if you want more space, book the separate Two-bedroom Cottage which comes with its own well equipped kitchen, living-dining area (including a cosy wood-burner) and family bathroom.
The newer Outback Rooms, set apart behind the hotel, are more recently renovated and secluded; two are dog friendly. All rooms have chests of drawers to store your clothes, stylish cushions, a hairdryer, kettle and tea/coffee tray, free WiFi and flat-screen satellite TVs.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
Eating
Food is a definite highlight here, as you’d expect with chefs Tom Lewis (who starred on BBC2’s Great British Menu) and Mhairi Taylor (from Glasgow’s Deli Zique and Café Zique) at the helm. The Mhor empire is scrupulous about sourcing locally and sustainably - much of the meat comes from the Monachyle estate, which has its own pigs, Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, hens and venison.
If you’re in for an active day, stock up with The Big Cooked Breakfast, including bacon from Mhor’s black pigs, which you see grazing on scrub across the road. We also loved the smoked salmon with scrambled egg served with toasted homemade sourdough.
Unlike the vast majority of hotels or pubs, food is available all day. Mid-morning, pep yourself up with cheese scones, flapjacks or luscious cakes from the Mhor Bakery in nearby Callander. For a light lunch, try the Big Piece Toasty, cut off an enormous ciabatta sandwich. Picnics are available, too. Mhor84 is also the new home for the Mhor Tearoom run by Lisa. Join walkers for an indulgent cream tea served on antique china, or one of her famous giant pink meringues.
Evening dishes are calibrated to appeal to all pockets and tastes. Starters include local delicacies like Kyle of Tongue oysters, Shetland mussels, langoustines or Highland Glen venison charcuterie. Main courses include burgers and steaks from Monachyle. Also popular are braises, like the slow-cooked lamb, which has already become legendary. We tried the cod with roasted carrots, braised shallots and spinach - extremely tasty as well as reasonably priced.
If you’re staying several nights or fancy something posher book into Monachyle Mhor, a 30-minute drive down Loch Voil. Or if you’re in fishy mood, head south to Callander for takeaway or sit-down fish and chips at Mhor Fish. If you’re Mhored out, head for The Cross Keys gastro-pub, half an hour’s drive away in Kippen.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
Activities
- You’re in the heart of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park so if you’re a walker or climber this is heaven - there are 5 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) with departure points less than 15 minutes' drive away. Or you can walk part of the Rob Roy Way
- Head to the church at Balquhidder (3km) and visit the grave of clan leader Rob Roy, immortalised in the 19th century by Sir Walter Scott’s historical novel
- Hire a bike (the motel will advise) to follow the great track along Loch Voil, or to do a stretch of the Land’s End to John O’Groats route
- Nip to the bustling town of Callander to visit the shops and the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitors Centre, or to sample the other parts of the Mhor foodie empire (a bakery and a fishmonger/bar/restaurant)
- Take in the Falls of Dochart in Killin at the western end of Loch Tay then use the village as a starting point for a walk or bike ride
- Go fishing on one of the lochs. The motel will arrange boat, ghillie, permit and equipment if you ask in advance. If you’re lucky, trout, Arctic char and salmon may all be yours
- Kids will love kayaking and other watersports at Lochearnhead centre
- Forage for mushrooms with your own forager - ask staff to arrange (for a fee)
- Visit the 13th-century Inchmahome monastery romantically situated on an island in the Lake of Menteith, south of Callander, and look out for ospreys
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Plantlife / flora
- Pool table
- Shopping / markets
- Table tennis
Kids
This is a truly inclusive place so children are definitely welcome and will love the relaxed games room. Baby cots and camp beds can be provided and there is a Family Room.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Room 2 is the Family Room, with a kingsize bed and bunk beds. Rooms 1, 3, 5 and 6 have space for an extra bed or baby cot. Rooms 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 can be twinned. Room 1 is a good choice all-round as it's at the back of the motel, so quieter, and has a bath
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Baby equipment:
- High chairs
- Baby cots
- Bottle warming
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
- Kids' menu, and food served all day
Kids Activities on site:
- Games room with a pool table, juke box, toys, table tennis, a Wii and board games
- Family DVDs (all rooms have a DVD player)
Kids Activities nearby:
- Biking
- Fishing
- Kayaking and watersports at the Lochearnhead centre
- Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Families Should Know:
The motel is directly on a main road
Distances:
- Shop: 3km (2 miles)
- Hospital: 21km (13 miles)
- Airport: 91km (59 miles, Edinburgh)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Mhor 84 is set on the A84 in Perthshire, the gateway to the Scottish highlands. It is 1 hour's drive from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth.
By Air:
Fly into Edinburgh (91km) or Glasgow (98km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
You'll probably want a car while you're here so it's best to hire one. For car rentals, click here to see our recommendations. The motel has a big car park.
By Train:
The nearest train stations are as follows: Stirling (40 mins),
Dunblane (30 mins), Perth (80 mins). See Seat 61 for information on train travel. Note, you'll need to take a taxi from the station and you'll be reliant on taxis during your stay.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Edinburgh 91.0 km EDI
- Glasgow 98.0 km GLA
Other:
- Beach 3.0 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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