Kings House Hotel, Glencoe 1964

Standing proudly at the gateway to Glencoe on Rannoch Moor, the Kings House Hotel is one of Scotland’s oldest licensed inns, with a history that stretches back to the mid-18th century. Originally built around 1750, it was used by government troops following the Jacobite rising of 1745—hence the name “King’s House.”

Its remote location made it an essential refuge for travellers crossing the rugged Highlands, especially along the old military road which later became part of the West Highland Way. In its early years, the inn had a reputation for being basic and draughty; Dorothy Wordsworth famously described it as “a miserable inn” during her 1803 tour. Over time, however, the Kings House became known for its warm welcome and hardy fare, especially among walkers, climbers, and skiers drawn to the dramatic Glencoe landscape.

A major redevelopment took place in the late 2010s when the Black Corries Estate, in partnership with the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, undertook a sensitive yet ambitious £12 million renovation. Reopened in 2019, the revitalised hotel retained its historic charm while adding 57 modern bedrooms, a new restaurant and lounge, and a 32-bed bunkhouse catering to West Highland Way walkers. The original building is now home to The Way Inn, a rustic bar area celebrating the inn’s storied past.