Downright Gabbler — Restaurant in Scotland

It has been almost a year since my girlfriend and I visited the Downright Gabbler and now the summer is not too far away, I am thinking about it again. Everything about the experience - arriving to the venue, the event we attended, the food (the FOOD!) and our stay in one of the rooms - was nothing short of exceptional.

Firstly, getting there is very easy. Neither of us drive, but being in Inverness for a family visit, the train to Beauly was a short and pleasant journey. Lovely scenery, and Beauly was a welcomed treat in its quiet, almost remote atmosphere - the perfect locale for our host’s stories and tasting experiences!

Arriving at the Gabbler (a short walk from Beauly station) we received a lovely warm welcome and were shown to our room - generously sized, immaculate, and with a thoughtful welcome booklet, the ‘Book of Everything’. We immediately felt looked after and settled. We had a short walk around town before attending our booked event, ‘Living the Dram’, which promised a 3-hour journey through Scotland’s rich history with whisky as well as a four-course meal.

I cannot recommend this highly enough - our host Gary took us through the history of whisky from humble beginnings to modern differences with charisma and humour, made all the better with having 3 different whiskies included to taste. His event was accompanied with regular intermissions for food - four courses of carefully planned, themed and meticulously crafted plates. All of them different and all of them outstanding. With food being a central factor in deciding where we go (and indeed if we return!) I cannot sing Chef Kirsty’s praises highly enough. Genuinely very very good.

After a great time chatting to Gary about various instruments he’d brought out as part of his event, we headed upstairs to the comfort of our room.

As an overall experience I would encourage anyone with an interest in food, drink, Scottish history, or just generally a good time, to book a visit. With so many other events on offer including day time non-alcoholic ones, we’d come back in...

Highland Banquet - 6 Courses + 3 Apartment Rooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Mum, Sister, and I went specifically to Beauly to stay at the Downright Gabbler and experience the Highland Banquet. We were very impressed!

Our rooms were spacious, clean, had everything we needed. Big thanks to Yla for fixing a small issue very quickly upon check in...for me resolving issues gains a star & doesn't lose one! We each had our own room - there are only 4 guest rooms, so we had three: All different and unique, no complaints!

Check in is easy, a code for the front door & each room has a lockbox with a code you get via email by Jane, who is fabulous to communicate with. Easy.

On to the Highland Banquet...it was stellar! Beautiful cutlery, dinnerware, all the small details. Chef Kristy blew us away with her Michelin Star quality courses. This lady could roll with the best of them at any big city restaurant. We loved it...thank you Chef!

And Garry...the star! An entertainer, historian, comedian, and downright fabulous person! 3.5 hours of the amazing history of Scotland presented in such a great way. Never bored or a dull moment. We enjoyed it so much! We laughed, were educated, and left with such a sense of 'worth every penny'. And speaking of pennies, he brought out a wonderful collection of historic coins for us to pass aroud. Thank you all for that Gary!

I would highly suggest making a night of it...if you do one of the dinners, stay at the Gabbler. You'd have had plenty of drink, so no driving for you! Transportation is virtually non existent by the time dinner is done (no trains, buses, etc)...so either pre-book your Taxi (ya won't find one) or just stumble up the stairs to that comfy bed!

We all said we'd definitely go back to Beauly - just for the Downright Gabbler. If you're thinking on it...book away!

All the best - Richard,...

An Enchanting Journey and Unforgettable Experience. I cannot express how incredibly delightful our experience with Downright Gabbler was! We opted for the "Stroll Before Lunch" tour which was a magical blend of history, storytelling, and an elegant and comfortable lunch that left us utterly enchanted. We were swept away on a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Beauly. The guide effortlessly weaving tales of the area’s rich history, painting vivid pictures of times long past. A fascinating step back in time. What truly set this experience apart was the warm and comforting lunch following the stroll that mirrored the hospitality of the Scottish people. As we savored each bite, the stories continued to flow in an intimate and engaging manner. The Downright Gabbler was not just a storyteller but a masterful narrator, captivating our attention. The narratives of the historical Scottish figures, both colorful and notorious, were brought to life. The passion exuded by the Downright Gabbler family was truly commendable. It was evident that this was not just a tour for them; it was a labor of love, a genuine effort to share the rich history and superior hospitality of the region. I can confidently say that our "Stroll Before Lunch" with Downright Gabbler was one of the premier highlights of our trip. A memory that will forever be etched in our hearts. If you're looking for an experience that combines the charm of history with the comfort of good food and the warmth of great storytelling, look no further. Thank you for a truly...