Last year we attended the inaugural event for The Scottish Food Awards, which were held in Edinburgh.
It was a lovely evening and we were delighted and proud to come away with ‘Real and Local Food, Gold Medal’ and ‘Small Hotel, Food and Drink Award’.
The 2018 event will be held in May and we are hugely proud and honoured to announce that Lloyd has been selected as a finalist in two categories, ‘Country Chef of the Year’ and ‘Flavours of Scotland’ There is an immense amount of talented chefs in Scotland and it is a great privilege for Lloyd to be announced as one of the finalists.
We had a visit from Gary McLean-Quin, chairman of The Scottish Food Awards, a few weeks ago and this is his review.
REVIEW ⭐ Franklins Restaurant at Cluny Bank Hotel, Forres, Moray | 2018 rating : Highly Recommended Restaurant with Rooms | Chef-patron Lloyd Kenny
Cluny Bank is an imposing Victorian villa found towards the end of an avenue of truly magnificent period buildings in this smart Moray town – frequent winner of Scotland In Bloom awards. Parking is easy.
Over recent years, host Julia has been redecorating most of the rooms and the welcoming and sturdy old stone house is popular for its homely charms, thoughtful touches and warm welcome. They will remember your name. Many guests are frequently back for more R & R and, of course, the food is a key driver of repeat business and overall reputation.
Every room is different, several have particular features – so do have a chat before choosing.
Lloyd Kenny operates his kitchen with undivided dedication and focus. He does things the traditional way, often eschewing “modern gadgetry”. He’s delightfully stubborn. Scots might suggest thrawn but, there you go, it’s the USP here: things are done thoughtfully.
The sourcing is done with obvious pride and passion; menus explain origin. Lloyd heads out daily and chooses much of his stuff. Trusted local suppliers like local Butchers of the Year 2017 Macbeth’s are justly selected.
The dining room is high-ceilinged and smart in dark matt green with stripped-back woodwork and twinkling candles. Seating is most comfortable; there’s plenty room between the white cloth-covered tables. Our only gripe might be the dated wall art. But overall, with its big windows and kindly service, it’s a highly relaxing place in which to unwind and appreciate good food without pretention or rush.
Pre-dinner drinks are enjoyed in the cosy little bar area – which offers a huge range of local Benromach whiskies and Scottish gins. The menu is large format, handsome and comprehensive. Six or seven options at each course.
Dessert is “narrated by Lloyd” at the table and this is a charming highlight. He’ll run though all the current temptations and can modify them to suit. A lovely way to meet the chef.
The hallmark of the genuinely delicious dining offered here is – flavour. From the amuse-bouche tasse of soup, through succulent cuts of meat and traditional puds, the embrace of real food taste is warming and comforting.
Cluny Bank is a Scottish Food Awards Finalist
Chef has an abundance of natural talent supported by a hard work ethos, and it shines through: not in overly fashionable, delicate plating – but in generosity of flavour and quality of ingredients that have met his critical approval.
You simply know, you can instinctively sense that it’s all good stuff, done properly.
We’ve known Lloyd and the team for years and they have certainly earned our trust, hence they hold, again for 2018, our Highly Recommended gold ribbon rating.
Nelson’s Tower is at the centre of the illuminated trail
The magical light and sound show Colours of Cluny returns for its second year, after the highly successful inaugural event in 2016. The event is the brainchild of Forres Features Community Interest Company, a non-profit organization formed by enthusiastic, local volunteers from Forres. It has been great to see an idea developed into reality.
We were lucky enough to find a window to take our daughter to the event last year, so we got ourselves wrapped up and headed down the road.
The entrance to the event is a short walk along an illuminated tree-lined path. You can feel the anticipation growing amongst the children and the adults heading in the same direction. At the entrance, there are a couple of stalls where you can buy the fluorescent rings and sticks, sweets as well as hot and cold drinks.
As you make your way along the winding path to the top of Cluny Hill you will find something different along the way to grab your attention. The fire-pit, where you can toast marshmallows, proved to be very popular with both the kids and grown-ups.
By the time you reach Nelson’s Tower, you don’t realise that you have made the climb to the top of Cluny Hill due to the distractions along the way. This is where the main show takes place. In 2016 the tower was used as the façade for a light and sound show, which was very impressive and we watched the show a few times before making our way back down the hill.
The 2017 show is set to be bigger and better and we are hoping to get a chance to be able to see for ourselves.
Scotland is known worldwide as the ‘home of golf’ and is one of the many reasons people love to visit Scotland. Wherever you choose to make your base, there are an abundance of courses to suit all levels of experience and enjoyability. There are more than 25 golf courses within easy reach of Cluny Bank, with a mixture of Championship Courses, links and parkland courses and all with stunning views of the surrounding area.
There is a map below with all the courses within driving distance of Cluny Bank but here is a list of the most popular courses that our guests use.
Golf Courses in Moray
Forres – within 10 minutes walk from the hotel – 18 holes, Par 70, 6300 yards. A single round costs from £15 (low season) to £45 (high season) with an offer for a return visit of £22.50. Buggies,trolleys and clubs are available for hire. Practice area with driving bays, practice bunker and putting green are available.
Moray – 20 minutes drive – two courses – Old Course – 18 hole championship course, Par 71, 6572 yards. A single round costs £25 to £100 dependant on time of year. New Course – 18 holes, Par 70, 6084 yards. A single round costs £12 to £45. Buggies and Caddies are available to book.
Elgin – 25 minutes drive -18 holes, Par 69, 6449 yards. Rounds cost £40 – £45 in high season, POA in winter months. 15 Floodlit driving bays and buggy hire available.
Nairn Dunbar – 25 minutes drive – 18 hole championship course, 72 Par, 6631 yards. Rounds cost from £27.50 to £55 on this championship course. Trolleys, buggies, clubs and caddy are all available to hire. Sheltered driving range and practice green are part of the facilities.
Castle Stuart – 30 minutes drive – 18 hole championship course, 72 Par, 6553 yards. April and November a round costs £140, May to October £195. Facilities include a practice range, short game area and practice putting green.
Hopeman – 20 minutes drive – 18 holes, 68 Par, 5624 yards. A round here will cost £28. Club hire is available for £15.
Most of the local courses are open all year round but of course this is dependant on the weather. There is a local Moray Firth Pass which costs £15 and entitles the player to 25% discount at our local courses, details of which are on the website.
Last year we attended the inaugural event for The Scottish Food Awards, which were held in Edinburgh.
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