Loch Ness hotel near Fort Augustus seeks more visitor beds
A LOCH Ness-side hotel with breathtaking views over the world-famous waters, is seeking planning permission to build an accommodation block giving six double bedrooms.
The 17-bedroom hotel on the northern outskirts of Fort Augustus village on the A82 is now named The Inch but the application by the owners uses its former name, Inchnacardoch Lodge Ltd.
If approved the single-storey block will be erected behind and to the side of the main hotel on the site of a dilapidated shed earmarked for demolition.
Transport Scotland have no problems regarding the road access, but Highland Council’s south forestry officer Grant Stewart has flagged up that the site is located “almost entirely within woodland which is listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory as ancient semi-natural origin woodland” which is listed as a “feature of national importance in the Highland Local Development Plan.”
Before Mr Stewart considers the application further the applicant has to provide a tree survey showing the position and condition of the trees on site, in order to retain as many of the trees as possible, and also produce a tree protection plan showing how the retained trees are to be safeguarded during construction which would require cutting into the sloping bank of “mature and very large trees” behind the hotel.
Agents for The Inch Hotel, Denholm Partnership Architects, said work on the tree report is ongoing.
The hotel’s brochure says it is “located in an iconic spot, above picturesque Inchnacardoch Bay providing some of the very best accommodation on Loch Ness.”
It adds: “Many of our rooms have stunning views overlooking Loch Ness, including our Four Poster Double which is just perfect for that romantic weekend in the Highlands. We also pride ourselves on being a family-friendly hotel and have two rooms that are ideal for families.”
