Fairburn Hotel

We’ve been wanting to try this place for a long time and I wish we had sooner. Only 1 girl working, the manager perhaps and she was so lovely. She listened well, was attentive, and we had a great experience. The food menu was large and so many fabulous choices, I had the pan fried chicken with black pudding opposed to haggis and it was outstanding! My Grannie had the jacket potato from the light bites, again. Amazing! This is restaurant food, not pub food. The standard is exceptional. Dessert menu was simple but intriguing, I didn’t get a dessert as for Woody’s ice cream I love their chocolate. But that was the only thing missing from this lunch for me. I got some chocolate with my coffee however and that made up for it. The food is all from local farms and fishmongers which I think is so special. Can’t wait to go back, we’ve already mentioned to other friends and family to try it.

Arrived late due to an unbelievably tricky road trip. Having called ahead the owner/manager had said she’d wait for me to arrive as she lived on premises. On arrival she was friendly and asked whether, even though the bar was closed, there was anything she could get me which was nice. The room was fine, with a comfortable bed. They even provided ear plugs in case the very limited village traffic disturbed and slippers should you need. The above bath shower was powerful enough, though the tiles around it could have benefitted from the grout being cleaned up. Might have drank the pre-bottled tap water if not sitting right above the toilet. Breakfast next morning was very good (traditional Scottish) and the table all set for me when I arrived at pre-arranged time. Again the person looking after things was warm and friendly. Parking is available at the free public car park down the side of the hotel with no obvious restrictions. Pricing fair. Shame I arrived so late that I didn’t get the chance to enjoy the atmosphere and food in the bar, or look around the area.

I booked dinner in the restaurant on Saturday 6th April or myself and two friends who live locally. I previously lived locally but have been out of the area for many years, so was back for a visit. My cajun crepe was lovely and one friends red thai curry was also nice. However, my other friend had the burrito bowl which she was unable to finish as it was way too hot. She said she is used to spicy food but this was far far too hot. One of the staff approached us early on while we were eating and we said it was all fine, as my friend was not feeling confident about complaining. She ate less than half her meal. My other friend said to the waitress that it was unfair she was unable to finish it and she called her manager over. Her customer service was shocking, she was passive aggressive and it was, in my opinion, not handled professionally. She insisted it was served to other people and nobody had said it was too hot. She insisted we were complaining for no reason. Our total bill was 96 pounds. We intended to stay for more drinks but left because of the attitude and confrontational aporoach taken towards us. We were polite in trying to put across our point. This lady then stropped about and told us to pay at reception. Not happy, and spoiled our reunion night!