"A beautiful highland retreat where you can relax and unwind" - 6th Apr 2004

The Morar Hotel is a friendly, family run hotel on the romantic "Road to the Isles". It is only three miles from Mallaig, the southern Gateway to the Isle of Skye. The hotel commands breathtaking views of the famous Silver Sands of Morar and the Inner Hebridean islands of Rum and Eigg.

Morar is one of the most beautiful as well as historic districts in the Western Highlands of Scotland, comprising a magnificent combination of mountains, moors and lochs, as well as close proximity to the sea. It is located approximately 42 miles from Fort William, along the A830.

The Hotel, which soon celebrates its centenary, offers true Scottish Highland hospitality. The hotel has 40 bedrooms, all of which have colour TV, private bathrooms and tea making facilities. It features comfortable accommodation, log fires, and good home cooking. Most important of all, you will be assured of a warm welcome.
The spacious 'Silver Sands Restaurant' with its panoramic view, offers the best of local cuisine, including salmon, trout and venison. Fresh fish and seafood from Mallaig is available daily on all menus.

Our well stocked bars cater for the whisky connoisseur. We have a large parking area outside the hotel with easy access.

THE HOTEL:

The Morar hotel has had an interesting and varied history. The hotel was built in 1901 when the world famous West Highland Railway Line was first built, running between Fort William and Mallaig. The hotel is close to the station, and therefore convenient for guests who choose to travel by train. From June to the end of September, there is the added attraction of the Jacobite Steam Train, which passes through the station on up to six days of the week.

The hotel in its 100 years has quite remarkably had only three proprietors. It was originally owned by the Mackellaig family who ran the hotel until 1973. It was then run by the Macleod family until June 2003, when the present owners, Mr and Mrs Manson, took over.

The hotel has been visited by many famous guests, including Sir Arnold Bax. In the lounge is a plaque to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit.

Morar is probably the most beautiful and historic district in the West Highlands of Scotland. With its magnificent interblend of mountain, moor, loch and glen it is hardly surprising that it has been the subject of so much poetry over the years. Below is the poem which you can hear when you enter the site, it is entitled "Silver Sands of Morar" sung by Mallaig's own Robert Macmillan.

This song was composed by the late Angus MacLellan, Morar, for his brother-in-law Willie Andrew Fraser, a soldier with the Cameron Highlanders, reported missing and presumed dead in France, 1940. Willie Andrew returned home after five years of hardship as a prisoner of war; and sang this, 'his' song, at many a ceilidh in Morar, up to the time of his death. It remains the favourite song of all who know Morar.

ROOMS:

Many of our bedrooms have recently been refurbished. They range from singles and twins, to doubles and family rooms, most of which have panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the beautiful Silver Sands.

All rooms have private bathroom, colour television and tea/coffee making facilities. All of the hotel's rooms also have guest controlled electric heating.

Families are well catered for with family rooms containing bunkbeds and, if required, a cot and highchair. We offer special rates for children, and
children's portions are available in the restaurant.

DINING & WEDDINGS AT THE MORAR HOTEL - "THE SILVER SANDS RESTAURANT":

At the Morar Hotel our spacious restaurant is the perfect place to dine and relax for the evening. The restaurant offers wonderful panoramic views of the Silver Sands and if you are lucky provides beautiful sunsets, especially on late summer evenings.

To complement the lovely views we naturally have some wonderful food.

Each day our chefs produce a selection of truly mouthwatering dishes. These are prepared using only the finest of local produce which could be fresh fish straight from the local market in Mallaig, or venison from the local estate. Of course if you have a successful day's fishing we could cook your catch.

If you prefer something a little more informal then why not try one of our bar suppers, hearty enough to satisfy the biggest appetite.

WEDDING - Morar is a very beautiful and romantic place to have a Scottish Highland wedding. In our spacious dining room we can cater for a sit down meal for 140 guests, our large dance floor can accommodate dancing for 200.

The Catholic church and registry office are within walking distance from the hotel, while the Church of Scotland is only 3 miles away in the village of Mallaig.

We can advise on dance bands , photographers, weddings cakes and hire cars. Special package deals are available for wedding guests staying overnight.

ACTIVITIES:

There are many things to see and do around Morar. The main attraction of the area is the scenery. It is often described as breathtaking, some would say out of this world. On a clear day the view from the hotel looking out across the islands and the Silver Sands is absolutely spectacular.

Staying at the Morar Hotel, the obvious choice for a relaxing walk is the Silver Sands. There are however plenty of other unspoiled places to explore where you can forget about the stresses of modern life and simply relax.

For the more energetic there are a number of things you can do. Mallaig itself has an interesting marine centre, Mallaig Marine World, where you can uncover the mysteries of the deep and see some of the weird and wonderful creatures that live in the seas. Mallaig also has a heritage centre detailing the interesting and varied history of the local area.

A local leisure centre is also available where there is a swimming pool and various fitness facilities available.

If you enjoy golf the nearby course at Traigh is a wonderful place for a round or two. It has been described by the Scotsman newspaper as "Probably the most beautifully sited nine-hole golf course in the world", and it is easy to see why when you get there.

The hotel is a convenient base for day trips to the Isle of Skye. The ferry timetable ensures that you can spend a day touring Skye.

Fancy a relaxing cruise then why not take a trip on Bruce Watt's cruises. They leave from the harbour and sail up Loch Nevis to Tarbet and the Knoydart Peninsular where there is a chance of sighting whales or dolphins!

Cruises are also available from Arisaig just a few miles down the road from Morar. These cruises are operated by Arisaig marine and travel to the tranquil small isles of Eigg, Rum and Muck.

FISHING - The Morar Hotel is the ideal base for a fishing holiday in the beautiful West Highlands.

The hotel is conveniently situated only a short drive from Loch Morar.

The Loch is the deepest in Britain and has many small and beautiful islands and sheltered bays to fish in. Indeed, one of the islands was the site of the first ever seminary in Scotland; this was however burnt down during the first Jacobite uprising.

The fishing on Loch Morar is mainly brown trout fishing, although there are also some good runs of salmon and sea trout that enter the loch via the River Morar, the shortest river in Britain. Arrangements can be made locally for permits and boat hire.
Fishing is permitted from both the bank and from boats. There are no restrictions on the types of fishing permitted, "so long as no explosives are used!"

Whilst most fishing is done on Loch Morar there are endless opportunities for fishing in the area including sea and hill loch fishing.

Loch Morar does of course have a famous resident in Morag the monster, cousin of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster.

The legend of Morag can be traced right to the time of Saint Columba who it is claimed saw the monster. More recently there have been at least 100+ documented sightings dating back to 1887. Over the years people have reported seeing objects ranging from snakelike creatures to the classic three humps above the water. Whatever the truth it certainly makes for more interesting fishing, you never know what you might catch!

As with all fishing there are a fair few tales which emerge, some more true than others! However in recent times there is one which stands out above all others, and what's more it's true. Every year a fishing competition is held on the loch in which locals compete to see who is the best fisherman.

One year about ten years ago, the boats went out as usual and unbeknown to them a huge run of salmon had entered the loch. Almost all the boats unknown to each other had caught a salmon or two. Every boat that came in thought they were the winners, only to be disappointed. The boat that finally won had caught an astonishing five salmon. After the event a poem was written about the day.

LOCATION:

The Morar hotel is located just off the beautiful Road to the Isles. To reach the hotel first follow the A82 and head for Fort William.

From there take the A830, otherwise known as the Road to the Isles, and follow signs for Morar.

Morar is reached approximately three miles before Mallaig.

The turning for the hotel is well signposted once Morar is reached. You turn right off the A830 and follow a single track road for half a mile or so. The Morar hotel is situated on your left overlooking the Silver Sands and the islands of Rhum and Eigg.

ROAD - The roads to Morar are a pleasure to drive on, with wonderful views. Mallaig is well signposted with access via the A830 (The Road to the Isles). Once Morar is reached the hotel is easy to spot with its prominent location.
If you are travelling by bus to Fort William, the Scottish Citylink website gives all necessary timetable details. Car Hire is available in Fort William, or you can carry on to Morar using the train.

RAIL - Scotrail runs a regular service from Glasgow Queen Street along the famous West Highland Line. There are four trains a day between Glasgow and Fort William and all trains carry on to Mallaig via Morar. The train station is adjacent to the hotel, allowing guests to free themselves from the car.

BY AIR - The most convenient airports are Inverness (100 miles) and Glasgow (140 miles) from where you can hire a car.

BY FERRY - If you are coming to Morar from the Isle of Skye then you need to board the ferry at Armadale on Skye. This service as well as a daily sailing to the small isles of Eigg, Rum, Muck and Canna is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.

Related Links

• http://www.golf.uk.net/accom/542

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