A new venue for Arran

The ever-enterprising Joni Keen, who is one of the best jazz singers in Scotland, has bought Altachorvie, the huge house in Lamlash that used to belong to the Holiday Fellowship. It’s basically a grand old hotel, but over the years has acquired attractive rows of holiday cottages that are comfortably reminiscent of beach huts, and its uses are already becoming obvious. In September when a large cohort of students from the Royal Northern College of Music will be here to take part in the McLellan Festival, Joni will be putting them up and feeding them. Altachorvie has a fully professional kitchen, with among the best cooking facilities on Arran, so it will be, she says, no problem.

Like all good hotels, Altachorvie has a ballroom, and Joni hopes that people will use it for functions of all kinds. The grouped ceiling lights can be adjusted as needed and Joni intends to provide a small stage. A cheerful event on Sunday June 8th featured Arran’s own Sheila Gilmore telling stories, backed by a man from Girvan who had his own fund of tales.

If you fancy trying Altachorvie for any function, from an afternoon tea to a concert, an art exhibition to a slap-up wedding (with a fabulous view over Lamlash Bay as well as much else) Google Altachorvie. You’ll find fabulous photos by Andy Surridge and full information, or you can phone Joni on 01770 600468.