We stayed 2 nights in the McAlpine as part of our tour of Ireland/Scotland honeymoon. The McAlpine was clearly once a very grand hotel indeed - you can see the huge ballroom and notice that the breakfast room with it's spectacular views across the sea made it one of the best places I had breakfast on our two week tour. The breakfast itself was also good compared to some of the others I encountered! By September 2006 although the grandness of the venue had decreased slightly it does not want for charm, made all the more special thanks to the lovely staff.
Our money bought us a large hotel room which importantly was clean and had everything needed (a clean bathroom and a telly) although admittedly we didn't spend much time in the room as Arran is one beautiful place. Oh it has a bar too, in which you'll find Tam, in charge of the place and the folk musicians who regularly play there, one of the Dubliners and some of The Sensational Alex Harvey band were due up shortly after we left, and his occasional barman John. We went in there for a drink shortly before, as we planned, going to bed but with these two installed behind the bar this soon turned into a terrific evening culminating in a guided tour of Tam's whisky collection.
Tam and his staff are working hard to turn The McAlpine into a music venue of some note - we wish them all the best in this endeavour and look forward to returning there soon for another great stay. Thanks!
