Alton Burn Hotel, Nairn

We first came across Alton Burn over 25 years ago, while driving toward Aberdeen...and it was lunch time. [Keep in mind, we were then living in the state of Georgia; now we're in Texas; so it's not an every-day occurance to drive by] After our lunch, we vowed to return for a stay in the hotel, which we got to do two years later. It was as cozy and comfortable as we'd hoped, and the MacDonalds (the owners) were friendly and gracious hosts. Since then, we've wanted to return. So this September (2007), we're going back, and we are really looking forward to it. As it happens, the MacDonalds remembered us, from a delightful conversation about a "folly" (a joke), concerning a remarkable monument overlooking Moray Firth, which we had attempted--unsuccessfully--to drive to. We HIGHLY recommend Alton Burn, but be careful about chasing after follies.