Thinking Biggar for a great weekend break
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However, on entering the busy cosy firelit lounge bar, which doubles up as the reception, a bright and cheery staff member welcomed us in, showed us to our room, even offering to carry our cases upstairs.
The historic Elphinstone Hotel – based on Biggar High Street, about an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Carlisle – offers 11 bedrooms which range from family to double or single rooms.
Five bedrooms are in a new extension completed in 2009, while the rest are in the original building, a coaching inn dating back 400 years.
Car parking is on the street right in front of the hotel, which holds a three star rating from VisitScotland.
Biggar is a friendly little town with a traditional feel. It includes a string of independent shops, including charity and gift shops. A royal burgh since 1451, the town still retains its medieval layout and boasts several museums and a Victorian puppet theatre.
There are two pubs near the hotel, while the Elphinstone itself has a public bar.
Our bedroom had a retro feel with its woodchip walls, flowery bedspread and cushioned satin headboard. However, there were some more modern additions to the sizeable room, including a large wall-mounted flatscreen TV, brown leather chair and stool and wooden bedside cabinets. The bed was comfy, and the hotel was quiet overnight.
The room featured its own bathroom complete with over-bath shower. The room temperature was hot, even though the radiator setting was on its lowest, so we had to leave the sash window well ajar.
We opted to enjoy our evening meal in the lounge bar, which I was pleased to see was busy with Friday night diners and drinkers, many of them locals.
With its cosy open fire, red tartan carpet and original ceiling beams, it was a perfect relaxing atmosphere in which to sit and enjoy a glass of wine or two.
The menu was one of the most extensive I have seen, including fresh and local produce, as well as dishes like Mexican beef chilli and chicken curry, with prices ranging from roughly £9 to £21 for mains. This was reasonable considering the generous portions.
For my starter, I oped for Cullen skink (£4.95) which contained Scottish haddock and was tasty, thick and filling. It was like a meal in itself.
My main course consisted of a medium 8oz fillet steak with chips and onion rings and mushroom and pepper skewer, served on a slate and wooden tray (£21.95). Although the steak was on the rare side of medium, it was tasty.
The following night, we ate in the adjoining dining room, which again was busy. I opted again for the tasty Cullen skink and chicken topped with haggis served with a creamy whisky and wholegrain mustard sauce (£12.95). Yummy!
We then enjoyed drinks in the busy public bar before retiring to the lounge bar. As there was a party on in an upstairs function room, the odd reveller clad in fancy dress was coming and going, adding to the buzz of the place. We whiled away a few hours sitting by the fire.
Breakfast was also tasty and you can choose cereals, with cooked breakfast consisting of bacon, pork link sausage, black pudding, haggis, tomatoes and beans and tattie scone.
The hotel is owned by Robert and Janette Allen, who along with their son Michael have run the business for almost 25 years.
By the end of the weekend, we felt rested and our batteries had been recharged in this down-to-earth hotel.
I also decided that I couldn’t have disagreed with the passer-by more. We had a great stay.
FACT FILE
* Location: Biggar town centre, situated between the Clyde Valley and Borders regions, 12 miles from the M74.
* Distance: 185 miles from Inverness. Four hours’ drive.
* Rates: Family £89 for two sharing, £12 supplement for each additional person. Standard double/twin £74. Single £49.
* Booking: Online at www.elphinstonehotel.co.uk
