Another luxury lodge given OK for banks of River Ness
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AN Inverness businessman has received planning consent for a sixth American-style guest lodge on the banks of the Ness.
The green light for the three-bedroom luxury lodge will see construction begin later this year, with the new facility expected to be completed and open for the 2023 tourist season.
David Sutherland’s Ness Castle Lodges firm already has five lodges sleeping 35 people.
“The demand for these lodges is extremely strong now that the pandemic is easing and people are thinking about holiday breaks,” he said.
“Looking to the future, we decided to build another lodge and we’re delighted to receive planning approval.”
“We have received extremely strong booking levels since new year, mainly from UK visitors.
“Hopefully, by the time the new lodge is completed, our US market will be back to its healthy pre-pandemic volume.”
Ness Castle Lodges had been fully booked for 2021 only to be hit by mass cancellations in the wake of the pandemic.
The company has nevertheless managed to maintain 10 full-time and four administrative staff throughout the crisis and is looking forwrd to fresh growth.
The wooded environment around the lodges, and the riverside location, with salmon and trout fishing for five rods, is particularly enjoyed by families, Mr Sutherland said.
Ness Castle Lodges has salmon rights to a mile of the river bordering the lodges.
Visitors, including business groups, also enjoy the array of leading golf courses in the area. The Bothy, almost on the riverside, has a beautifully appointed room for quality dining or for board or social meetings, with a decking area from which to relax and watch the Ness flow by.
It was during a ski holiday in Arizona 16 years ago that Mr Sutherland saw a luxury timber-built lodge and decided to build something similar in Inverness. River Lodge was completed and open for business in 2011.
The five-star two-storey lodge has seven double or twin bedrooms, all en suite, a large cathedral-style ceiling above an open plan ground floor with a large picture window offering a panoramic view of the Ness.
“We’ve created something unique, with lifestyle standards appealing to a wide range of customer,” Mr Sutherland said. “The emergence of the North Coast 500 has added to that clientele.”
Operations manager Laura Murray added:”Feedback from our guests is that they love to explore the city and wider area, spending in local shops and restaurants, which can only benefit the local economy.
“Staycations [during the pandemic] filled the gap usually met by our international market.”
Mr Sutherland and his wife Anne also own and operate Home Farm Cottages, nine lodges at Glendaruel, Argyll.
AN Inverness businessman has received planning consent for a sixth American-style guest lodge on the banks of the Ness.
The green light for the three-bedroom luxury lodge will see construction begin later this year, with the new facility expected to be completed and open for the 2023 tourist season.
David Sutherland’s Ness Castle Lodges firm already has five lodges sleeping 35 people.
“The demand for these lodges is extremely strong now that the pandemic is easing and people are thinking about holiday breaks,” he said.
“Looking to the future, we decided to build another lodge and we’re delighted to receive planning approval.”
“We have received extremely strong booking levels since new year, mainly from UK visitors.
“Hopefully, by the time the new lodge is completed, our US market will be back to its healthy pre-pandemic volume.”
Ness Castle Lodges had been fully booked for 2021 only to be hit by mass cancellations in the wake of the pandemic.
The company has nevertheless managed to maintain 10 full-time and four administrative staff throughout the crisis and is looking forwrd to fresh growth.
The wooded environment around the lodges, and the riverside location, with salmon and trout fishing for five rods, is particularly enjoyed by families, Mr Sutherland said.
Ness Castle Lodges has salmon rights to a mile of the river bordering the lodges.
Visitors, including business groups, also enjoy the array of leading golf courses in the area. The Bothy, almost on the riverside, has a beautifully appointed room for quality dining or for board or social meetings, with a decking area from which to relax and watch the Ness flow by.
It was during a ski holiday in Arizona 16 years ago that Mr Sutherland saw a luxury timber-built lodge and decided to build something similar in Inverness. River Lodge was completed and open for business in 2011.
The five-star two-storey lodge has seven double or twin bedrooms, all en suite, a large cathedral-style ceiling above an open plan ground floor with a large picture window offering a panoramic view of the Ness.
“We’ve created something unique, with lifestyle standards appealing to a wide range of customer,” Mr Sutherland said. “The emergence of the North Coast 500 has added to that clientele.”
Operations manager Laura Murray added:”Feedback from our guests is that they love to explore the city and wider area, spending in local shops and restaurants, which can only benefit the local economy.
“Staycations [during the pandemic] filled the gap usually met by our international market.”
Mr Sutherland and his wife Anne also own and operate Home Farm Cottages, nine lodges at Glendaruel, Argyll.
