Stopped for lunch while driving through the area. Such an interesting vibe with all the taxidermies animals, old hunting weapons in cases, dark wood everywhere. We sat at a table in the Poacher's Den and placed our order at the bar. Food came out quickly and piping hot. The pie of the day was good but the Mac and cheese was excellent. read more

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If you're looking for a pristine, no character, cookie cutter, chain hotel experience, you might not enjoy this place. If you're up for a little adventure, this place is awesome! We stayed here for 2 nights as part of our hike of the West Highland Way, and had the best time here! The staff was wonderful (although it's obvious that they were all horse thieves, pirates and highway men in an earlier life, they were so friendly and helpful, they made us feel very welcome). The food was great (I'm still dreaming about that delicious steak and Guinness pie). The atmosphere made you feel like you'd stepped back in time-- lamp light and muskets and stuffed puffins and a bear in a Drovers t-shirt and kilt. OK, maybe not TOTALLY historically accurate, but history mixed with wit and a sense of fun. They tell me this inn is haunted. It must be by friendly, fun-loving spirits. On our first night there was live music at the bar. We enjoyed the singer/ guitar & harmonica player very much, but it all kicked up a notch when he got the whole room to join in on the singing. Everyone was clapping, stomping and pounding the table, while belting out a rousing rendition of "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond". I can't remember enjoying a meal more. On our second night there, the power went out (thank you, Hurricane Amy). The staff showed that although they are retired horse thieves and pirates, they take their current jobs in hospitality very seriously. They could not complete cooking of the evening meals, so it was a quick pivot to sandwiches for all. They handled it with professionalism and grace that made the inconvenience part of the adventure (as one staff member quipped, it was all part of the haunted experience). Breakfast, too, was pulled together with what was available and ingenuity, as they made instant coffee and tea with water heated on the wood stove, and we feasted on cold cereal and granola bars. But as the staff met the challenges with good humor and made the best effort to make it a good experience for the guests, we walked away with an abundance of good memories and an enduring fondness for the Drovers Inn (and its resident horse thieves, pirates and highway men). read more

Oh you must stop and try their sticky toffee pudding! They were established in 1705. Unfortunately, I left this is my draft section for too long to remember as much detail as I would like. I do remember that they fill up early for dinner. Always better to have reservations. They boast about it being haunted. read more

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Very old and spooky feeling atmosphere, great customer service. We stayed in the rooms across the street and the bathrooms smelled very damp and mildew-y, there was spotty WiFi / tv signal, but overall it was a fun and exciting experience!! read more

The Drovers Inn - Drovers Inn - Pubs Near Me - Arrochar, AGB

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We stayed here one nights as we were walking the West Highland Way. The rooms were plenty spacious and the Inn itself was full of charm and history. A bit on the rustic side but it is as expected. We ate two meals here and both were good. You order everything at the bar be it food or drink and there can be quite the queue at times. I think they also poured the smallest shot of whisky in all of Scotland. Service varied from very friendly to questionable but I think it was related to the queue and crowds. read more

Really cool location and history, but EXTREMELY LONG wait for food. Waited for over an hour and it wasn't even that full of a restaurant. Seems great for a pint, but I'd continue on your journey for food! read more

We stayed here on the West Highland Way walk and had dinner, breakfast, and a packed lunch. First the staff are efficient, friendly, and good at their jobs. The young lady from Spain who checked us in was excellent! Helpful and friendly. And the restaurant staff behind the bar are doing a great job. The food we ordered came out rather quickly and was nice but a bit on the bland side. I'm sure their meat dishes have more flavoring but they didn't really try to season the vegetarian dishes. But we were so delighted that they had vegetarian and vegan options. And room 6 presented nothing haunted so give it a go! read more

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We researched historic places to stop on our way through Loch Lomond park. It dates to 1705 and is reportedly haunted. It's a quirky (decor) and unclean (sticky tables and debris) establishment and I almost walked out the door. We ate lunch in the bar and I sat in a chair in the corner by the bookshelf and fireplace. It needs a deep cleaning. The germaphobe in me would leave 3 stars, only because the bathroom was clean, BUT the fact is, the food, coffee and staff were AMAZING! read more

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Quick stop on our way back to Glasgow for a dram of 12 year old Talisker recommended by the young barman and ate a very delicious plate of haggis, neeps, and tatties. A lot of history at this Inn and you can see, feel, and smell it upon entering the property. A must visit after a long day of sightseeing in the area! read more

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A story of an adventure and ghostly appearances..... #droversinn CHECK IN AS STRANGERS AND LEAVE AS FRIENDS! I thought to visit and stay in a haunted Inn on the North side of Loch Lomond called Drovers Inn. Daylight was fading and darkness was setting in when I had arrived. The Inn was dimly lit from the outside and you started to imagine why people would claim it's haunted by spirits When stepping through the entrance door , I was set back in time and found myself checking in to an establishment dating back to the 1700s. This Inn was opened in 1702 and has not really changed much since then.There are stories of spirits and ghosts and the famous haunted "Room 6" that I got at arrival Anyways, after a sleepless night and a long evening of drink and music with a bunch of amazing strangers, I left with a fantastic memory and the intention to return soon again, but definitely for a yearly anniversary with my new found friends The staff and food were fantastic! If in Scotland, make it your experiences to pass by and enjoy a place with a hearty Scottish welcome and being set back in time! #sassenachtours read more

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Disappointed which is a shame as I've visited here before. Yes it was busy but, despite assurances when food order was placed by several folks at at the same time, it didn't arrive at the same time. Hope this was a blip and not a new standard. read more

Yes, it's a trek out of Glasgow, or wherever you may come from, but the scenery on the train to Ardlui is stunning, taking in the banks of Loch Lomond. Not entirely sure if it's the high road or the low road, you can make your own decisions on that :) It's a couple of miles from the Ardlui station, although the bus service does stop right outside both if you're doing that version of public transport. As for the Drovers itself, it's a proper "ye olde Scotland" type of place - if you have an aversion to stuffed animals, steer clear. The place is full of them, including the famous door bear the minute you walk in. I was there for a wedding reception, and couldn't fault the staff or setting, everything went as smooth as these things go, so I'm told. I know as much about weddings as I do rocket science, also a similar chance of going into space as having one of my own! There's a wide range of draft beers and lagers including a Drovers Blonde, which may or may not be masquerading as something else *cough*Stella*cough* and as you'd expect, a heeeeeeyooge selection of whisky to guzzle. People I know that had the food were raving over it, and everything seemed a success - the Drovers itself was the setting for the wedding too, and there were no problems encountered by anyone... always a good sign! If it was even slightly easier to get to, I'd give this a straight 5 star review without blinking. If you have visitors from elsewhere and can drive, this would be an excellent run out on a sunny day to show off the best our wee country has to offer. Don't try and kidnap the bear after a few drinks though. He fights back, and he fights dirty. read more

The Drovers Inn - Bear! - Pubs Near Me - Arrochar, AGB

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We literally stumbled upon this place - barely able to walk after three days of the gruelling West Highland Way. And what a treat it was. Stuffed grizzly bear? Right in the entrance to greet you. A spooky knight in armour? Yep, standard. Jolly staff wearing kilts? Sure. Dating from the early 18th century, it certainly feels historic. Small rooms that manage to accommodate all us weary walkers in alluring candlelight. A larger space by the bar was filled with live music and locals singing along. The menu had a decent array of options from Scottish classics like haggis to burgers, pasta and salads. I especially enjoyed the lightness of their sticky toffee. An absolute standout local pub. If you're walking the WHW or simply in the area, get yourself down there at the weekend. You won't be disappointed. read more

The Drovers Inn - Vegetarian haggis - Pubs Near Me - Arrochar, AGB

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If you like to be surrounded by a little, or a lot, of history while you dine you can't get any more historical than The Drovers Inn. Established in 1706 little has changed in this cosy little Inn and tavern since the days of it erection (Ooh Matron moment!), bar the addition of running water, electricity and toilets. I haven't had the opportunity to spend the night there, though I have visited the pub on a couple of occasions for lunch. In the small nook facing on to the outdoor seating, you're surrounded by stuffed animals (not the toy variety) ancient paintings, and aged walls. The menu is standard pub fare; Mac'n'Cheese, burgers, scampi, steak, and the odd special. This time I opted for the Hot Smoked Salmon, though I'd been toying between that and...something else which, quite frankly, I can't remember. And the reason for that is I was soooo happy with my choice of meal that anything else pales in comparison. A hot fillet of smoked salmon, skin as crisp as a winter morn, drizzled with sweet chilli sauce, and accompanied by a delicious, balsamic glazed rocket salad and boiled new potatoes. It was devine! I washed it down with a cheeky half of Heverlee, and followed it by a tasty sticky toffee pudding. They're dog friendly, and kindly provided our furry companion with his own bowl of water, and plenty of cuddles. read more

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Impressively oddball pub- ancient, decorated with all the stuffed animals and whatnot. Food was terrible- veggie burger was like a sad fried patty of some kind and the mac n cheese was sadly lacking cheese (and taste). The room we stayed in was grim- sit down shower, sink faucet missing knobs, etc. We skipped breakfast. read more

This Inn is truly an experience. It's wonderfully antique and rustic, a lovely place to stay the night in with just the perfect dinner and breakfast in several wonderful common rooms. Definitely recommend anyone getting a drink, some food or a night's sleep here. read more

It takes 30 minutes to get to Balloch, the gateway to the highlands and if you have a few hours to spare you can drive up and round Loch Lomond which is exactly what we did. Starting at Milngavie, we paused at Callander then onwards, admiring the view, pausing at lay-bys here and there before we realised we were hungry; lo and behold, the Drovers Inn came into view. I've been here before, although it was over 20 years ago (I realised with some incredulation!) and whilst it has changed a little, the entrance is still the same - be warned, if you have a phobia of stuffed animals you might want to avoid here. The Drovers Inn proudly claims it's title as Pub of the Year 1705 and that's where the charm starts. Over 300 years old and I'm pretty sure parts of the pub haven't been changed since then, but don't let that put you off, they have a good bar and offer a good range of pub fare. Inn keeping (geddit!) with the surroundings, we stuck to tradition for our late lunch, sausage and mash for me, scampi and chips for her. We grabbed a seat in the corner, next to the fireplace and pretty soon the food arrived. Four pork and leek sausages which had a nice peppery kick to them presented on a bed of homemade mash, with a good helping of onion gravy. The scampi and chips was a hefty portion and tasty enough. The food won't win any awards but for pub grub it was perfectly acceptable. You don't go to the Drovers Inn for the food though, you go for the experience, the history or maybe just because you are passing. If you've walked the West Highland Way you've probably been there yourself, and whilst we ate five strapping lads came in and quickly ordered some cold beer, stretching their legs as they waited. Dog friendly, the seats outside are nice but right on the A82 so can be a little noisy, and the staff were all friendly and cheery. Ohh and the staff uniform is t-shirt and kilts... an added bonus some would say! ;) read more

If I'd just walked the previous stage of The West Highland Way I'd have loved this place. But I'd be happy anywhere after a 12 mile slog :-/ It wasn't what I was expecting either. I WAS expecting a dark, old, stuffed beast, ramshackle of a building, set within a beautiful picture postcard backdrop. I got most of that, although the grounds of the Inn and the lodges were an uninspiring grey stone chipped car park, with rubble just laying about and no sign of it having been moved for years. I understand that manicuring the grounds isn't everyone's cup of tea and not necessarily mine, but a tidy up isn't exactly destroying the "natural look". I WAS expecting a gastro pub type menu. I don't know why? Maybe because I've been to lots of these country Inns over the years and that's kinda what the deal is. It's certainly what my business plan would be. However, this was just bog standard pub grub - booo. Yeah, the £10.95 Braveheart Burger (burger, haggis & square sausage) was big, but it wasn't an individually handmade patty served with hand cut chips. It pretty much felt like it fell off the back of a Brakes Bros, or Halls refrigerated truck. Not necessarily untasty, but fairly uninspiring. It was also pretty quiet and sedate, but that may be because we arrived for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. I recon if we'd stumbled in on a cold and rainy Saturday night with a roaring coal fire on the go and the place full of West Highland Way walkers' it might've been a jumping and merry place? Possibly? But that's maybe just my lack of planning? I do know however, that if I'm planning to go for lunch up this way again, it won't be here :-( read more

The people are Drovers Inn are incredibly kind! I was driving to the Highlands when I got a puncture tire, and pulled over. They let me use their phone and even offered me complimentary tea and coffee. I came in as a non-paying customer, and they offered incredible hospitality. This is the highest levels of customer service! read more

Was told prior to coming here that it is supposedly haunted by a little girl that drowned many years ago - so I was quite excited to come here! We stopped by here for a drink while going for a drive up the country roads. From the outside it is not your usual pub design, it just looks like a house built on the side of the road. At the back you had a lovely view of the waterfall and the forest which is lovely on a quiet sunny evening :) Inside I was surprised by all the stuffed animal decor on the walls and in cabinets etc - a little creepy but different! The main bar/restaurant area is actually quite small - I think there was another room for diners but I can't remember as this is a late post! They had a large selection of different whiskys and your generic spirits. Although it was quite a small area, it was quite cosy and didn't feel overcrowded with its fireplace and wooden tables and chairs. I'll need to come back again soon to try out their food so watch this space! read more

Great food and staff were friendly. We ordered our food at the bar and went back to our table. Service was good and food arrives quickly. This place is full of character with the stuffed animals inside. You can even stay the night. The plaques on the walls tell you of stories from inside the walls. Worth visiting and eating here. read more

Based on reviews that I read, I was a little unsure of what to expect. However, I only needed to stay one night...and figured I could handle anything for a night. The Drovers Inn ended up being just fine. The pub is filled with random taxidemy...which although looks a bit tattered and dusty in places, adds to the charm. Unfortunately, there was no live music on the night my family and I were there, but we ate dinner in the pub and it was good....there was standard pub food(steak and ale pie, fish n' chips, etc...), but also some interesting specials(I had a wild boar casserole) My family and I stayed the night as well...I don't think any of us got the haunted room. I'm assuming there are rooms in the actual pub, but we had rooms across the street in small complex of rooms. I'm not sure it was worth the extra £25 for a Jacuzzi tub...especially as there was no shower stall, so a bath was somewhat forced...but the bed was comfortable, and the room was clean(if somewhat dated) I don't think I would stay at the Inn for more than a night or two, but it was perfectly fine as a base to explore Loch Lohmond, and gave my parents the experience of staying at a pub. If nothing else, I would recommend stopping for lunch and a pint if you are in the area. read more

Stopped at this pub during a tour of Scotland. The experience was phenomenal. It felt like you had ben transported into early 1700s Scotland just with a little bit of electricity and inside bathrooms now. Staff was friendly and super helpful with my dietary issues. Dave was an especially wonderful part of the experience. He was knowledgeable about the bars selection of whiskeys and all around a super friendly guy. If you are looking for the traditional Scottish pub experience the. you have to go here. Dogs are welcome inside as long as on a leash and the staff will bring your furry animal a bowl of water to enjoy! Next time I am in Scotland I will be stopping here again! read more

The Drovers Inn is worthwhile if you fancy the experience of staying in a hotel established in 1705 and that seems to have remained largely unchanged since then! The staff are friendly and wear Scottish quilts which is a nice touch in the historic setting. The love for the past will not be shared by all when it comes to the comfort level of the rooms. The single glazed windows and mattresses are 'EST 1705' too! The presence of a huge bad in shared facilities is puzzling and so are the fake vinyl tiles unfitting the rustic character of the building. The food was real, as in not micro-waved, but of rather poor quality. read more

Ok so first off I am a huge fan of ghost stories so I was extremely intrigued when I heard this place was haunted. I stopped here on a tour for some heather ale and it was so great! It is quite a small place but it was a blast and all the taxidermy in the entrance is a trip especially the bear. If you pass it, you really must stop, or if you dare stay the night, I totally would! read more

The Drovers Inn - Taxidermy at the entrance, what a trip haha - Pubs Near Me - Arrochar, AGB

A definite 'flavour of Scotland' inn/hotel. The staff all wear kilts and the reception and dining area are packed full of stuffed animals (including a stuffed 'haggis' to confuse tourists- look out for that one). Although it's a little bit dark inside, there's plenty of character, and a good bar menu which does great steaks and an interesting range of pizzas, which you can take away if you want. We tried the whisky-and-haggis pizza- sounds like a novelty disaster but in fact very good. Seriously. The hotel side I didn't find so good. It's a very old stone building so it has a bit of character, but it's not really in the greatest of condition- the carpets are worn, doors rattle, and in the case of our room the cold water tap didn't work at all. On top of that, the breakfast wasn't really very good, very disappointing considering the good food the night before. That's if you get into the Inn. At busy times most guests will be accommodated in the Lodge, which is the modern boring chalet-style building over the road. Luckily we were put in the Inn but if we'd been put in the Lodge (which we wouldnt've been told about until we arrived) we would not have been impressed. It looked like a Center Parcs building, very far out of place. So a good place for an evening meal if you can get into the Inn, but not so good the morning after. read more

Erm, yup, definitely one of the more interesting establishments i've been to. The Drovers is well known to West Highland Way walkers and gets a great name, especially for food. If however, you object to stuffed animals, you might not agree. A great atmosphere! read more

Please visit their website http://www.thedroversinn.co.uk The food is fantastic as is the rustic original surroundings. It is really worth the scenic drive to get there! read more

Traditional Scottish pub with cosy atmosphere complete with fireplaces, swords, taxidermy and servers wear kilts. Comfort food on offer like steak pie and venison casserole both were very tender but basic presentation. Desserts are available like apple pie. There are a few rooms for seating but the bar one is prob the best. There's a large whisky selection but there aren't any good beers it's all Tennent's/Caledonia brands. There are some awards on display but are from macro breweries like Coors and Carling. If they got some local craft beers on like Fyne ales the place would be excellent. For now it's a food stop only. read more

This is a mad place to say and if you want squeaky clean, dull and boring you need to drive past. It is biker and hiker friendly which is a huge plus. They are quite happy to serv you in muddy wet leather and let you dry out in front of the roaring fires. The food if good and plentiful though it does get very busy. Character does not even begin to describe the place. The staff are great and very friendly usually from a multitude of nations, you will get Aussies and Kiwis serving you in Kilts. There is often live entertainmetn. Posh it is not, great fun it is. Its located on the Highland way and lots of walkers pass through. Great fun and certainly off beat. Pub of the year 1705 and looks like it hasn't been decorated since Rob Roy was last in there. read more

I've a sort of rule, not to review pubs unless it's the first time that I've eaten there. I've been to the Drovers Inn countless times and eaten there often, but hey I like it! You're heading north, you've just passed Ardlui, just passed the top of Loch Lomond, and then you see an old horse trap on the right. You draw up in your Honda, tie it to the railing, run the gauntlet of geese, and gaze upwards at the splendour of the distant waterfall crashing down Glen Falloch. You turn and look on an old inn that doesn't seem to have been built there, more sort of thrown from Balloch. There isn't a straight line anywhere - check the windaes! - this crazy place built in the early 16th century was probably never even planned, it just kinda happened. On walking in you're greeted by a menagerie of stuffed animals, including a snarling bear, a smiling shark and a bleating two-headed lamb. You turn left into the howff, it's the darkest and dingiest part of the place - and the bit to be in. The walls are black, the plaster is hanging off the picture frames and the furniture is rickety, but it is fantastic. Blazing log fires, kilted staff and all sorts of highland paraphernalia adorn the room. Rob Roy might well have helped the last time it was decorated, he used to come here apparently! Maybe he still does, because the inn is apparently haunted, and honestly when I stayed here a drawer banged open a couple of inches and I was scared enough that I had to go down to the bar for most of the night! Anyway I opted for the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties to start, followed by the Highlander burger. Both came quickly, both were scoffed with gusto. To be honest it's hearty food, served in unpretentious, me-sized portions, but it's pretty good. Decent haggis, big crisp chunky chips and a firm, meaty burger. The staff seem to be picked for their wry personality and the banter is good and the humour is dry. It has flaws, but I don't know anywhere else quite like it, and for that whole experience and not just the food it's 5 stars!...Warning: Not everyone will appreciate its rustic charms read more

After walking for 8,5 hours, we were happy to arrive at Drovers Inn. This quirky, a bit dusty, taxidermy-infested, haunted, but kind of authentic place offered everything we had imagined a typically ancient Scottish highland Inn to be. The staff was friendly, and the bartender very well informed about their wiskey selection. Our room was old, but good value for our money. And the decor was in perfect sync with the rest of the place. Great dinner, not so good breakfast. read more

I was first introduced to this pub by my now husband four years ago on a journey back from Fort William. Its now a favourite haunt and we have made visits up there specifically just to eat and take in the atmosphere of the place. The kids love it and whenever friends visit from down South we insist they go. They haven't been dissapointed yet! I would say the only downside is you sometimes cannot get a seat. read more

Went here on the recommendation of a friend while on a drive around Loch Lomond. The place was full of character and I was greeted by a range of stuffed animals, including one large bear! The place had traditional music playing and the servers were all wearing kilts. The menu was full of the usual pub grub as well as Scottish classics. As it was Sunday I opted for the roast, I had some soup to start so the light size was the perfect portion. My friends had the mince & tatties and the veggie haggis, both were pleased with their meals. Everything was very tasty! Fun place to visit if out and about, probably easier to get to if you have a car. Check out the guest book when you are leaving, its fun to see the range of places people have visited from! read more

Amazing. Atmosphere unique. Great service and quality food. if staying overnight worth knowing that there are the traditional Drover rooms in the hotel itself (including a haunted one..) that complete the experience - though if you want a few more mod cons then ask to be put up in the modern rooms just across the road in the stagger. The Drovers is a must visit. read more

Fantastic! Steeped in history, lovely old fashioned rooms, real fires, haunted, kilts, Loch Lomond, cracking breakfast, good beer.. What more could one want!? read more

A fair meal and a fair pint, the high points of a visit to Inverarnan are the experience of the building and the interesting mix of people who congregate there (a combination of hill people driving the A82 and long distance walkers on the West Highland Way from the nearby campsite). On a visit one busy night a few years ago a guest in a room above the bar allowed the bath to overflow and the water came through the floor into the main bar. In most establishments this would have been a disaster but here the customers in the bar started to catch the bathwater in empty pint glasses. Customers sitting away from the water passed their empty glasses to where they were needed and as the guest quickly realised their bath was overflowing and turned off the tap things didnt get any worse. The staff responded quickly to clean up the mess and thanked the customers for making the clean up that bit easier. Everyone had a good laugh about this and, apart from a soggy patch on the ceiling, within 15 minutes nobody walking in would have guessed at what had just happened. The clientele are always like this and this is really what makes Inverarnan worth a visit. read more

The place to go if you like stuffed bears and age old architecture. Bit of a trek to get to but nice experience coming here given the history of the place. Space to drink outside (weather and midges permitting) or inside at the old bar. Food is ok but nothing special. read more

Had lunch at the Drovers today and would recommend it. I had delicious steak pie with fresh veg and mustard mash, while my partner had a 'brave heart' burger with chips. Both meals were tasty and generous portions. The bar staff were very friendly and pleasant, and the man who served us was very attentive. The place itself is well worth a visit even if you don't eat there, it's unique and full of character. Loved it, and will return if we are passing thro again. read more