Escape

at rainbow’s end
Page 60 SCT Daily Mail, Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Not a pot of gold... but a perfect family weekend retreat on the shores of Loch Ness
by CAMPBELL
RAMAGE

T
here’s just the merest hint of
a tug on the end of his line and,
quick as a flash, he whips back
yelling ‘fish on’. The rod begins
to bend as my excited nine-
year-old son struggles to reel in what-
ever monster is on the hook.
Alas, something is not quite right. Despite
talk of a remote loch filled to the brim with
Arctic Char and Brown Trout, all he’s managed
to do is snag his line on some reeds. Again.
No matter though, it’s just a joy to get the
kids offline for a couple of days. After months
of lockdown and online schooling, it’s great to
get them away from screens and out into the
wilds for some fresh air and fun.
As we make our way back to the car, we stop
to take in one last look at the magnificent Loch
Killin, only to see the water below us ripple as
a fish pops up to catch a fly.
No sooner have we started driving when my
daughter points to a bird soaring just above
the trees on our left. We all sit open-mouthed
as we are treated to a close-up view of a mag-
nificent golden eagle skirting the treetops in
search of a meal.
We begin the weekend with a trip up the spec-
tacular A82 through Glen Coe,
past Fort William and on towards Way up high: Campbell and family, above, enjoyed a relaxing
Loch Ness. At Fort Augustus, we break, with wholesome dining, at the Whitebridge Hotel, left
leave behind the seemingly end-
less procession of campervans and try the Angry Stag, a venison cupboard, while we flick through
begin the climb on the single track cheeseburger served with Jalap- the selection of LPs beside the
road out of the village. eno chillies, and the Chicken Bal- record player.
As the early evening sunlight moral from the specials menu. As Annie Lennox begins to sing
bursts through a light rain shower, The children plump for burgers ‘Sweet dreams are made of this’, I
we are stopped in our tracks by from a kids’ menu that has a great find my eyes slowly begin to close,
the most magnificent rainbow any selection of freshly cooked dishes. and with a tired smile on my face
of us have ever seen. Food is definitely one of the I find myself thinking, who am I to
Sadly there is no pot of gold at Whitebridge’s many strong points, disagree?
the end of this rainbow. However, doing simple, hearty dishes flaw-
we may just have stumbled upon lessly. Every dish we eat has been
the next best thing. cooked to perfection from scratch, Travel Facts
Our home for the weekend is the including the desserts. WHITEBRIDGE HOTEL
Whitebridge Hotel, nestled by the drop our bags and freshen up three huge windows. With bags My son demolishes an enormous (whitebridgehotel.co.uk ) costs
roadside between the southern while a table is made ready for us. dropped and tummies rumbling, slice of banoffee pie at a terrifying
shores of Loch Ness and the stun- We’ve grabbed one of the hotel’s we make our way down to the bar speed before declaring it the most
£130 a night for a family room,
ning Monadhliath mountains. two family rooms, which is perfect, for dinner. delicious thing he’s ever eaten. including breakfast. Double/twins
This charming hotel is run by with plenty of space for all four of The menu is made up of a mix- High praise indeed. from £90 per room including
Bella and Lesley, who are busily us to relax and unwind. ture of classic pub grub and an After dinner, we somehow man- breakfast. Book online or call
serving dinner as we arrive a little Our corner room has a large ever-changing range of special age to waddle along to the hotel’s the hotel directly on 01456
later than planned. No problem double bed flanked by two singles, dishes, all sourced locally and residents’ lounge. The children 486226 or email info@
though, we have plenty of time to with views to die for from its cooked to perfection. We opt to check out the well-stocked games whitebridgehotel.co.uk