Ness River Lodge is only a short distance outside Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, but its secluded setting on the wooded banks of the River Ness is the perfect rural setting. The focus may be on the outstanding fly-fishing along the lodge’s exclusive stretch of river, but the splendour of the surrounding lochs and mountains means it won’t just be the salmon and trout that will be lured and tempted.
The lodge is a spectacular building with an enormous picture window which lets light flood in, with a view down to the water from the sitting room. It’s a wonderfully comfortable place to relax and has a refreshing style that skilfully blends Highland flourishes, such as antler chandeliers, with multi-cultural influences from Africa and Asia. The look is as influenced by American mountain lodges as traditional Scottish retreats and creates an atmosphere that is both classic and contemporary.
The lodge sleeps a maximum of 13 guests in eight warm and cosy rooms, including a single room on the ground floor that is often used for a nanny. All rooms are en suite and the river view rooms with private balconies are the most sought after. The facilities are excellent throughout; rooms have DVDs and CD players, and Ness River Lodge also has a snug with a plasma screen, board games, DVD and CD library. The sitting rooms are blissfully comfortable and the attention to detail extends to the use of carefully selected essential oils to set the mood in each room.
During the peak salmon fishing season between July and October, the lodge is fully catered and you can dine on the day’s catch at the large table next to the monumental fireplace or out on the terrace, assuming you manage to hook something! Guests have exclusive rights to four pools on one of the finest fishing rivers in Scotland, and the current Spey casting world champion Gordon Armstrong is on hand to improve your chances of landing a salmon or two.
On an long summer's evening, unwind with drinks or a barbecue at the bothy – a small fisherman’s lodge at the far end of the garden. Outside the fishing season it’s still possible to arrange a chef and waiting staff that can cater for you in style. The terrace is built out over the water, where only the sound of the rushing river disturbs the silence.
Those who want to spend their time waist-deep in a river will be in heaven here, but guests looking to explore further afield won’t be disappointed either. As well as the fabulous food at Ness River Lodge, the city of Inverness is only a few minutes drive away and there are some excellent restaurants to choose from, where the difficult task of catching delicious fish is already done for you.
Beyond Inverness, the majestic landscape of the Cairngorms and the mysterious depths of Loch Ness provide plenty of other distractions – especially if you spot the Loch Ness Monster. During the summer there’s a wide range of activities, including mountain biking, rafting and canyoning. The more sedate alternatives are loch cruises, country walks and a some of the finest golf courses in Scotland. In the winter, it’s even possible to go skiing in Aviemore. Ness River Lodge can arrange activities to help you enjoy this beautiful and unspoilt part of the British Isles to the full.
Reviewed by Jim Whyte
