Tongue Hotel open for business after extensive renovation
A NORTH Sutherland hotel has reopened following an extensive £800,000 renovation and makeover by its new owners.
Highland Coast Hotels bought the Tongue Hotel in May last year to add to its portfolio which includes another four hotels in Sutherland.
The substantial property, a former sporting lodge built in the late 1880s, has been closed for months as work to modernise it went ahead.
At the same time work was taking place to modernise another of the firm’s hotels - the Plockton Inn, which has also now officially reopened. The redevelopment of both hotels has been supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
And now Highland Coast Hotels has unveiled the revamp at both hotels which it says have been given a “contemporary new look inspired by their locations in areas of outstanding natural beauty”.
Tongue Hotel now offers 19 individually-styled guest rooms and a newly refurbished restaurant and bar.
Its new 40-cover destination restaurant Varrich takes its name from the remains of Castle Varrich on the headland opposite.
Highland Coast Hotels chairman David Whiteford said: “We’re extremely proud to have reached this significant milestone in the development of Highland Coast Hotels.
“We’ve reopened the doors to the Tongue Hotel and Plockton Inn, unveiling our contemporary makeover for these two iconic and historic hotels.
"As with each of our six venues across the North Highlands, our focus continues to be on creating environmentally-friendly hotels and supporting local communities, suppliers, producers, designers and artists.
“Guests can look forward to our famous Highland welcome in areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as sampling the best local, seasonal food and drink.
“Tongue benefits from its position on the world-famous North Coast 500 and Plockton is renowned as ‘The Jewel of the Highlands’, overlooking Loch Carron.”
Since it was established in 2021, Highland Coast Hotels has taken over the Kylesku Hotel, the Newton Lodge, Kylesku; the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora as well as the Tongue Hotel and the Plockton Inn.
The general manager of the Tongue Hotel is Marcel Wassen and its head chef is Sumit Dhar.
