Meet Debbie and Dene, owners of Loch Venachar Lodges – sumptuous retreats with stargazing hot tubs, nestled directly on the shore of a freshwater loch that forms part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
What first inspired you to create Loch Venachar Lodges as a retreat?
The location is spectacular. It’s only an hour away from Glasgow and an hour away from Edinburgh yet you feel like you’re properly in the middle of nowhere in Scotland surrounded by mountains and right on the banks of a beautiful peaceful loch. All of your worries disappear…
Have you always been in hospitality? If not, what else did / do you do?
Debbie used to be a creative / art director in advertising agencies and set up her own agency and branding company. She then became co- director at nest, a company in Glasgow that designs high-end contemporary extensions and home renovations.
Dene was involved in design which included product and interior design – designing bars, restaurants and hotels. He set up design and build company nest, which he runs with Debbie.
Both set up Loch Venachar Lodges, built Coorie and upgraded Carsaig and marketed both lodges for holiday rentals.
What’s the best thing about being the owner of Loch Venachar Lodges?
It’s such a lovely position to be in as we get to enjoy not only staying at the lodges but receiving such beautiful feedback from our guests who absolutely love it. We enjoy reading the visitors book – guests leave such amazing comments. Once they stay, they really get how special the place is.
What’s your favourite feature of the retreat?
It’s so unique to have accommodation right on the loch with private loch access. without travelling for hours up north. It’s location is key as there is access to so much of Scotland. Guests can enjoy the best of Scotland’s countryside and come back to luxury accommodation.
What do you love about the local area?
We love the loch – we swim, paddleboard, kayak, eFoil and windsurf, then sit on the jetty watching the sunset with a dram in hand. We bring our gravel bikes, road bikes and mountain bikes – there’s so many great trails nearby. We also like to hike and we’re spoilt for so many different walks up local trails, hills and mountains. We are fortunate to have so many great restaurants and cafés nearby. There’s endless things to do for kids and adults alike.
What’s next for Loch Venachar Lodges?
Exciting times ahead for us as we are building a super cool third lodge called Calla, due to be built next year. The design is very contemporary, yet homely and the views onto the loch and hills are spectacular. We can’t wait to share it with you.
If you couldn’t stay at your place, where would your ideal holiday be?
Much as we love Scotland, it can be really nice to get abroad to the sunshine and we love heading over to Europe with our bikes – Greece, Spain, Italy, France they’re all amazing countries. However you can’t beat Scotland.
Sum up Loch Venachar Lodges in three words
Outdoors in luxury.
If you were visiting, how would you spend a day at Loch Venachar Lodges?
Breakfast watching the birds at their bird feeders, take a bike up a mountain and enjoy a packed lunch at the top, winding down with a paddle board on the loch, then sit in the hot tub and watch the sunset with a bottle of fizz. Later on cosy up in the outdoor den with pals, share some stories toast smores on the fire. A wee dram of Islay whisky finishes the day nicely.
Find out more about Loch Venachar Lodges via their Host Unusual listing below!
