Lochgilphead’s Argyll Hotel reopens
Lochgilphead’s nightlife has taken an upward turn after The Argyll Hotel reopened following a renovation.
Manager Susan McKeitch said they had a very busy first weekend when they opened the doors last Friday after a year.
She has removed the dark wood from the bar to create a welcoming, bright space, with prints by acclaimed local photographer Mark Pickering adorning the walls.
The beer garden has been extended, with new decking to the rear.
For the first month, the hotel will be open from 4pm, and will open from 11am from Easter.
The function suite is also back in business, with a booking already in place for a private function next week.
Susan plans to hold ceilidhs, folk music nights and the occasional disco. There will also be quiz nights and race nights, working with various local groups.
It will be later in the season before the kitchen reopens, but it is on the cards.
The bedrooms are currently being renovated before the hotel side of the business can resume.
Susan said: “It was a great first weekend. Lots of locals were in and it was nice to welcome the new generation of 18- and 19-year-olds. We had a lot of new IDs to take in.
“I’m working on doing a bingo night every Wednesday.
“Lochgilphead has a new Front Green. A lot of the shops and businesses have had a facelift, and personally, I’m hoping that a lot of tourists will decide to stay in Lochgilphead instead of just passing through and using it as a pitstop. Hopefully all the businesses will benefit from this.”
Susan’s other project is The Comm bar further along Lochnell Street, which has also been closed for a year.
Renovations of The Comm are currently under way, with new front windows and doors being installed. She hopes to have The Comm back in business within the next few months.