Mhor 84 Motel

Rooms

Bare white walls, bright artworks and assorted furniture makes for a simple but stylish look in the bedrooms. As much of the furniture is recycled, each room is different, but all are the same price. We particularly liked Room 3, pure white except for a yellow row of clothes hooks - the nearest you’ll get to a wardrobe here. Room 1 is the quietest; rooms 5 and 6 are dog-friendly; room 7 has a kingsize bed and great views. Most bathrooms have both tub and shower, except for Rooms 3 and 4 which are shower only.

Room 2 is the Family Room - it has a large oak-backed double bed, plus 2 bunk beds. But if you want more space, book the separate Two-bedroom Cottage which comes with its own well equipped kitchen, living-dining area (including a cosy wood-burner) and family bathroom.

The newer Outback Rooms, set apart behind the hotel, are more recently renovated and secluded; two are dog friendly. All rooms have chests of drawers to store your clothes, stylish cushions, a hairdryer, kettle and tea/coffee tray, free WiFi and flat-screen satellite TVs.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

Food is a definite highlight here, as you’d expect with chefs Tom Lewis (who starred on BBC2’s Great British Menu) and Mhairi Taylor (from Glasgow’s Deli Zique and Café Zique) at the helm. The Mhor empire is scrupulous about sourcing locally and sustainably - much of the meat comes from the Monachyle estate, which has its own pigs, Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, hens and venison.

If you’re in for an active day, stock up with The Big Cooked Breakfast, including bacon from Mhor’s black pigs, which you see grazing on scrub across the road. We also loved the smoked salmon with scrambled egg served with toasted homemade sourdough.

Unlike the vast majority of hotels or pubs, food is available all day. Mid-morning, pep yourself up with cheese scones, flapjacks or luscious cakes from the Mhor Bakery in nearby Callander. For a light lunch, try the Big Piece Toasty, cut off an enormous ciabatta sandwich. Picnics are available, too. Mhor84 is also the new home for the Mhor Tearoom run by Lisa. Join walkers for an indulgent cream tea served on antique china, or one of her famous giant pink meringues.

Evening dishes are calibrated to appeal to all pockets and tastes. Starters include local delicacies like Kyle of Tongue oysters, Shetland mussels, langoustines or Highland Glen venison charcuterie. Main courses include burgers and steaks from Monachyle. Also popular are braises, like the slow-cooked lamb, which has already become legendary. We tried the cod with roasted carrots, braised shallots and spinach - extremely tasty as well as reasonably priced.

If you’re staying several nights or fancy something posher book into Monachyle Mhor, a 30-minute drive down Loch Voil. Or if you’re in fishy mood, head south to Callander for takeaway or sit-down fish and chips at Mhor Fish. If you’re Mhored out, head for The Cross Keys gastro-pub, half an hour’s drive away in Kippen.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• You’re in the heart of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park so if you’re a walker or climber this is heaven - there are 5 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) with departure points less than 15 minutes' drive away. Or you can walk part of the Rob Roy Way
  
• Head to the church at Balquhidder (3km) and visit the grave of clan leader Rob Roy, immortalised in the 19th century by Sir Walter Scott’s historical novel
  
• Hire a bike (the motel will advise) to follow the great track along Loch Voil, or to do a stretch of the Land’s End to John O’Groats route
  
• Nip to the bustling town of Callander to visit the shops and the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitors Centre, or to sample the other parts of the Mhor foodie empire (a bakery and a fishmonger/bar/restaurant)
  
• Take in the Falls of Dochart in Killin at the western end of Loch Tay then use the village as a starting point for a walk or bike ride
  
• Go fishing on one of the lochs. The motel will arrange boat, ghillie, permit and equipment if you ask in advance. If you’re lucky, trout, Arctic char and salmon may all be yours
  
• Kids will love kayaking and other watersports at Lochearnhead centre
  
• Forage for mushrooms with your own forager - ask staff to arrange (for a fee)
  
• Visit the 13th-century Inchmahome monastery romantically situated on an island in the Lake of Menteith, south of Callander, and look out for ospreys

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Pool table
• Shopping / markets
• Table tennis

Kids

This is a truly inclusive place so children are definitely welcome and will love the relaxed games room. Baby cots and camp beds can be provided and there is a Family Room.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Room 2 is the Family Room, with a kingsize bed and bunk beds. Rooms 1, 3, 5 and 6 have space for an extra bed or baby cot. Rooms 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 can be twinned. Room 1 is a good choice all-round as it's at the back of the motel, so quieter, and has a bath

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Shop: 3km (2 miles)
• Hospital: 21km (13 miles)
• Airport: 91km (59 miles, Edinburgh)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Mhor 84 is set on the A84 in Perthshire, the gateway to the Scottish highlands. It is 1 hour's drive from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth.

By Air:
Fly into Edinburgh (91km) or Glasgow (98km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
You'll probably want a car while you're here so it's best to hire one. For car rentals, click here to see our recommendations. The motel has a big car park.

By Train:
The nearest train stations are as follows: Stirling (40 mins),
Dunblane (30 mins), Perth (80 mins). See Seat 61 for information on train travel. Note, you'll need to take a taxi from the station and you'll be reliant on taxis during your stay.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to the UK and getting around