Please be cautious when booking this place, we found it to be a complete fraud. We booked an apartment in the historic monastery with a view of Loch Ness, confirmed with them in advance the exact unit... See more
Company replied
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
See what reviewers are saying
We came here as a family and honestly had such a brilliant time! There was so much to do for both the kids and the adults, we were never bored once. Our room was absolutely stunning, it still h... See more
Company replied
Avoid 5 The Brothers Wing, St Benedicts Abbey, Fort Augustus as the apartment fell far short of our expectations with a damp smell throughout and mould on one of the bedroom walls. Also the apartm... See more
We had two superb apartments which were beautifully appointed. The substantial welcome hampers were thoughtfully created with a range of key essentials and luxury items. The fresh milk in the fridge w... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to the Official Website of The Highland Club which offers outstanding luxury self catering accommodation on the shore of Loch Ness.
Contact info
St.Benedict's Abbey, PH32 4BJ, Fort Augustus, United Kingdom
- 020 3478 3897
- news@thehighlandclub.co.uk
- thehighlandclub.co.uk
3.5
Average
90 reviews
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically takes over 1 month to reply
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Please be cautious when booking this place
Please be cautious when booking this place, we found it to be a complete fraud. We booked an apartment in the historic monastery with a view of Loch Ness, confirmed with them in advance the exact unit we would be in, and upon arrival we were placed in a stucco out building with a view of a car park. No apology or feigning of attempt to make things right with us, so perhaps this is just what they do. The good location, outdoor chess and indoor pool were as described, but if the historic building is of importance to you, tread carefully with this company.
April 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
We are sorry that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to move your reservation from the apartment you had booked to a different one.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of operating within a historic building, we occasionally face unforeseen and unavoidable maintenance issues such as lack of heating or hot water, or boiler breakdowns, or unexpected building and weather related issues. In this instance, a sudden problem affecting essential services within the reserved apartment meant that the apartment that you had reserved was no longer safe or suitable for occupation at the time of your arrival. These types of issues can arise without warning in buildings of this age and complexity, and while we do everything possible to prevent them, they are not always predictable or immediately resolvable.
As a result, on your first night, we relocated you to the only available accommodation at the time, one of our Courtyard Cottages, which on one side of the living room offers views over the lawn down to the River Tarff, as well as convenient parking for a car on the other side. We appreciate that this differed from the accommodation you had originally booked, but was of no less monetary value.
For the following two nights of your stay, we were able to make available and offer you an upgrade to one of our premier penthouse apartments (at no additional expense to yourself), which featured some of the architectural elements that drew you to choose The Highland Club in the first instance, such as stained glass windows, stone arches, as well as a private rooftop terrace with an enclosed dome for star gazing as well as wonderful views over Loch Ness and the surrounding hillsides. This option was offered to you by our on-site team each subsequent day of your stay; however, you declined the move each time, including the offer of assistance with relocating any/all or part of your luggage.
Thank you for your subsequent correspondence where you agreed that a maintenance issue in a historic building was understandable. We're sorry that, as you said, you were already so tired and frustrated, that despite our best efforts, there seemed to be nothing our team members could say or do to remedy the situation to your satisfaction.
Best wishes,
The Highland Club team
We came here as a family and honestly…
We came here as a family and honestly had such a brilliant time! There was so much to do for both the kids and the adults, we were never bored once.
Our room was absolutely stunning, it still had the original stained glass windows and loads of beautiful original features, which gave it so much character. At the same time, parts had been modernised in a really nice way, so it felt comfortable and fresh too.
You could easily come here and not leave the place the whole time because there’s just so much to do on site. It’s one of those places where everyone finds something they love.
We had such a great stay and genuinely can’t wait to come back!
March 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your family had such a brilliant stay with us.
It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed both the original character of the room and the modern touches too — the stained glass windows are definitely a special feature! We’re also so pleased that there was something for everyone to enjoy across the site and that you were able to make the most of everything during your visit.
We truly appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to welcome you all back again for another memorable stay!
Warm regards,
The Highland Club team
Great deal on good quality sunglasses…
Great deal on good quality sunglasses with lots of different styles and colors. My favorite are the red.
February 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Not magical like we had hoped
Subpar experience. The area outside is beautiful but that is about it. However, the entrance and the doors make you feel like you are in a dorm. They are very loud when they close. We asked for a complimentary 1 hour check out since had arrived late due to issues with our car rental and road closures. We explained this to the front desk, but all they cares about was adding extra fees and making additional money. It’s a shame. The place has potential but needs better management and some important updates. We stayed in several places and this was by far our least favorite. We would not go back.
May 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We understand how stressful travel delays and unexpected road closures can be, and that your expected arrival was significantly delayed by the car trouble that you had. As you were only staying the one night with us, the delay in your arrival was not ideal. The apartment that you stayed in had already been granted a complimentary late checkout of 11am (usual checkout 10am). However as you wished to extend this even further, when you finally arrived in the early hours you automatically selected and paid for this option on our system, you did not have any communication about delaying your departure with our team before choosing this. Although the apartment did need to be vacated after the additional extended time you chose, you were welcome to stay on site and use the facilities for the rest of the day. Had we not had another guest arriving that afternoon, our team would have done what they could to accommodate you further if they were able.
Offering the option of selecting a later checkout via a digital link does give guests the flexibility to automatically extend their check out and most guests appreciate this feature. Our team on site recall that no mention of anything negative was made when you left and that in person you were very appreciative of the assistance they gave you that morning and the night before, putting you in touch with a local garage to help with your car problems.
Your comments regarding the noise from the doors are appreciated and we have since readjusted the door closing mechanism.
We genuinely value all feedback, as it helps us identify where we can do better, and we appreciate you giving us the opportunity to host you.
Warm regards,
The Highland Club team
Treat Yourself Like Royalty
We were delighted and treated like royalty at The Highland Club while on a retreat with Spherical Luminosity.
Our apartment was furnished everything we could have hoped for and more.
The basket of treats, shopping bag, slippers & robes, tennis rackets, and so many amenities at our fingertips were so thoughtful.
The grounds themselves are so magical. We enjoyed sitting by the loch and exploring.
The staff were so friendly and helpful. We had more than we could have imagined we would need.
We highly recommend The Highland Club for any stay!
September 8, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review.
We’re delighted to hear that you felt so well looked after during your retreat with Spherical Luminosity and that your apartment exceeded expectations. It’s especially lovely to know that the welcome touches — from the treats and amenities to the robes, slippers, and sporting equipment — helped make your stay feel comfortable and special.
The Highland Club’s setting is something we’re very proud of, and we’re glad you were able to enjoy the grounds and spend time by the loch. We’ll also make sure your kind words are shared with the team, who will be pleased to know their friendliness and support made a positive difference to your experience.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again in the future.
With warm regards,
The Highland Club team
What a fantastic and gorgeous place to…
What a fantastic and gorgeous place to stay. The grounds were breathtaking the rooms and kitchen were beautiful and had everything to make you feel at home. I loved loved loved the pool. Our hosts were so kind and accommodating in every way. What an amazing treat. I stayed with a group called Spherical Luminosity and although we were about 40 people we were treated so kindly and the place was spectacular.
September 5, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and that the grounds, rooms, kitchen, and pool all helped make it feel like a home away from home.
It was truly a pleasure hosting your group, and we’re so glad Spherical Luminosity had a comfortable and memorable experience here. Welcoming such a lovely group of around 40 guests was an absolute joy for us, and we’re thrilled the space worked so well for your time together.
We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again in the future for another special stay.
With warm regards,
The Highland Club team
Superb apartments in a wonderful location.
We had two superb apartments which were beautifully appointed. The substantial welcome hampers were thoughtfully created with a range of key essentials and luxury items. The fresh milk in the fridge was a bonus. The staff were very welcoming and attentive and gave us an informative tour of the Abbey whose grounds were very impressive and in a perfect location. The kids loved playing table tennis in such a wonderful hall. Can’t wait to stay there again.
October 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed both apartments and appreciated the welcome hampers, fresh milk, and thoughtful touches throughout your stay.
It’s especially lovely to know that our team made you feel welcome and that you enjoyed exploring the Abbey and its beautiful grounds. We’re thrilled the kids had fun with the table tennis too — it really is a special space for making family memories.
We truly appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to welcome you back again soon.
Warm regards,
The Highland Club team
My review Pt2
Ive seen the reply given by you guys.
Thanks for letting me know and you have every right to correct me, i’ll be moving this complaint to the correct page, but I think everyone knows that it’s not my fault you decided to conjoin with another business using the same property that evidently have managed to confuse a lot of people. You’re just making this look like some sort of divided family that can’t work together.
And by the way, you don’t fool anyone. It’s quite obvious you are the liable business who runs this hotel, and who owns the property, and you are in no way separate from it. It’s aspirational of a business to ask their customers to skip over their own experiences instead of target the problems.
September 5, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you for your response. However, we would note you still have not removed the review that you gave in relation to someone else’s flat;
You also make a number of assumptions and assertions about The Highland Club which needs to be clarified.
The Highland Club or Fort Augustus Abbey are used as the generic names for the whole site. This site was developed by Santon but the majority of properties were sold to third party owners from all over the UK and overseas. There are over 100 properties on the site which are owned by dozens of different owners. Some owners use their flats for their own use whilst the majority of owners holiday let or long term let their flats. They may either market the flats for let themselves and/or use third party agents and the flats are then managed (e.g. for cleaning & guest services) by a number of different property managers (e.g. Highland Club Direct, Highland Club Scotland, Aonach Mor, Beautiful Scotland as well as ourselves, The Highland Club/Highland Club Official). The standard of the flats vary quite widely and the offering varies as different owners want to appeal to different customer budgets. We regard our offering as being at the higher end as is our customer experience (as noted previously we have uniformed staff, a private reception where freshly ground coffee, hot and cold drinks as well as snacks are available throughout our guests stay on a complimentary basis and as well a large welcome basket in each flat upon arrival).
We have no control over how others let their flats nor what the offering is and, other than being on the same site, and contrary to your assertion, we have no commercial arrangement with the other property managers on site including the manager you took umbrage at. You will note from our own website www.thehighlandclub.co.uk that we do not manage the property that you stayed in. Indeed, we do not holiday let any properties in the Brothers Wing. We largely let our own properties but also a handful for other owners that are prepared to make an investment to furnish the properties to our standard. The vast majority of flats on the whole site are not managed nor owned by us. You can find Brothers Wing apartments on the Highland Club Direct/Highland Club Scotland/Aonach Mor websites. We have no economic interest in these businesses and nor they in ours. There is certainly no intention to confuse anyone and certainly on our part it is not helpful for us to be confused with what we consider to be inferior offerings and to receive their reviews. There is nothing we can do to stop the use of the name Highland Club by others.
Under the Scottish system of property ownership the common parts of the property (grounds, swimming pool, common corridors etc) are co-owned by ALL the owners and managed by a regulated factor, on behalf of all the owners and appointed by them.
I would also note that The Highland Club nor any part of it are a hotel nor marketed by us as a hotel – they are self-service/self-catered apartments – and therefore do not have some hotel type facilities (e.g. room service).
Should you wish to discuss the matter further we are happy to talk to you direct.
The place and staff are so nice and…
The place and staff are so nice and friendly. I loved and enjoyed every bits while I was staying there.
August 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your stay with us. Our staff really appreciate the positive feedback that you gave, and we hope to welcome you back again soon,
Best wishes
The Highland Club Team
A truly amazing experience!
My wife and I joined some friends for a stay at the Highland Club at Fort Augustus, Scotland. I don’t often write reviews but this place deserves some special recognition.
The accommodations are set in a beautifully grand historic Abbey, giving the manicured grounds and visual impact of the cluster of buildings an immediate wow factor. The rooms are all unique and hold various special features. They are generously and thoughtfully furnished and supplied. Everyone in our party in each room remarked on the particular comfort of the beds and bedding. One of the prevailing comments from everyone was a notable sense of tranquility and calm.
My apartment was a two-story set of rooms on the third floor featured a show-stopping view of Loch Ness. (Note: there are no elevators onsite which means apartment selection should match one’s ability to manage stairs. I understand there are lower and ground floor options available including some with gardens attached.) The stairs were well worth the climb for us. In the early morning hours we were stunned by that magnificent view and perhaps equally awed by the quiet. I highly recommend any city or suburban dweller to go experience the marvel of this quiet peacefulness. We hadn’t realized how much we needed and would relish that!
As much as we appreciated the tranquility, there were also many families and groups onsite. The place is chock full of activity options. Our rooms were all stocked with an array of sporting equipment. We needed a longer stay to appreciate even a fraction of what’s offered at the Highland Club. There is an astonishing must-see pool and sauna, tennis, sporting fields, ping-pong in the soaring nave of the old church. The Highland Club has a massive stained glass surrounded club lounge, complete with a huge snooker table, an abundance of comfy chairs, and a wide array of games, etc. The tiled stories-high cloister surround a classically designed giant outdoor chess set which seemed to bring out a sense of childlike joy in the adults we saw playing.
As a group of adults traveling on this trip we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. However, everyone in our party agreed it would be a perfect place for larger family groups or groups with children. We saw several families happily enjoying the facilities and activities. There are various water sports and canal cruises on-grounds and steps away in the village. The reception staff mentioned a virtual reality sports room is in the process of being added. Overall, the atmosphere here is simply wonderful, restorative, healthy, and awe-inspiring.
We recommend the Highland Club most highly.
November 1, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. We are truly delighted that your stay at the Highland Club was such a memorable experience for both you and your friends.
It’s wonderful to hear how much you appreciated the unique character of the Abbey, the peaceful atmosphere, and of course those spectacular views across Loch Ness. Your description of the tranquility and quietness perfectly captures what so many guests come here to enjoy and reconnect with.
We’re also pleased that you enjoyed the comfort of the apartments and had the opportunity to experience some of the many facilities and activities available onsite. From the pool and club lounge to the outdoor chess set and waterside adventures, it’s lovely to know the Highland Club offered something special for everyone in your group.
Thank you as well for highlighting the stair access within the historic building — we truly appreciate you sharing this helpful information for future guests.
Your kind words about the atmosphere being “restorative, healthy, and awe-inspiring” mean a great deal to our team. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to the Highlands again in the future for an even longer stay.
Warm regards,
The Highland Club Team
Stunning break in The Highland Club
I spent 3 days up at the The Highland Club where I caught up with my college mates. It was a great venue to meet, where we used the facilities (swimming pool) as well as going to the Boathouse restaurant.
I booked myself into Abbey Church 17. The room was spotless, warm and the welcome hamper was a real treat. I must congratulate the owners on their attention to detail regarding the kitchen condiments, the bathroom toiletries as well as the dressing gowns and slippers. It was home from home with a cosy atmosphere.
I will be back next year and bring my wife and son so that we can use the virtual games room, as well as the tennis courts with the Slinger tennis ball machine.
November 1, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable stay at Abbey Church 17 and that The Highland Club provided the perfect setting to catch up with your college friends.
It’s great to know you made the most of the facilities, including the swimming pool and the Boathouse restaurant, and we truly appreciate your kind comments about the apartment. We take great pride in the little details, so it’s especially rewarding to hear that the welcome hamper, toiletries, kitchen essentials, dressing gowns and slippers all helped make your stay feel like a home from home.
We’re thrilled to hear you’re planning to return next year with your wife and son. We’re sure they’ll love the virtual games room, tennis courts, and the Slinger tennis ball machine too.
We look forward to welcoming you all back for another memorable stay.
Warm regards,
The Highland Club team
Highly recommend
It was our first time visiting the highland club & it definitely won’t be our last. The staff were very friendly & were always happy to help. There was a coffee machine onsite & free for guests which was a lovely addition meaning we didn’t have to walk into town to find a nice cup of coffee. The property itself is very beautiful & in a really good location as the local shops/pubs are within walking distance. There is so much to do & it’s lovely being so close to nature with ducks & rabbits on the grounds. We stayed in Abbey Church 16 with our two children & couldn’t believe how big the apartment was. When we arrived, there was a book & teddy bear waiting for both of our children & there was even some child farm body wash in the bathroom which I thought was a lovely touch. The welcome hamper was a lovely gesture & I was amazed by how well equipped the kitchen was. We had dinner at the boathouse & really enjoyed our meal there so highly recommend booking when you arrive (it can get busy).
I would highly recommend the Highland Club & will definitely be returning for another visit next year.
July 23, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that your first visit to the Highland Club was such a memorable one — and even more pleased to know you’ll be returning next year.
It’s lovely to hear that you and your family enjoyed Abbey Church 16 and appreciated the little touches for the children, as well as the welcome hamper and well-equipped kitchen. We always want our guests to feel comfortable and at home from the moment they arrive.
We’re also glad you enjoyed the complimentary coffee machine, the beautiful grounds, and the convenient location close to the local shops and pubs. The ducks and rabbits certainly make the setting feel extra special.
Thank you as well for recommending the Boathouse restaurant — we’re pleased you had a great meal there.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and kind words about our team. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to the Highland Club again next year.
Warm regards,
The Highland Club team
Fabulous holiday
I stayed for a week at the Highland Club and had an excellent time. The accommodation is first class, staff are very helpful and friendly and there is plenty to do on site to keep yourself occupied. The views and surrounding landscapes are breathtaking. Shops are 5 mins walk away so it's very convenient. I would definitely visit again and would recommend it to others wanting a relaxing break.
July 22, 2023
Unprompted review
Absolutely amazing stay
Absolutely amazing stay. The apartment was beautiful, had everything one needed and was very clean. The facilities, such as swimming pool and sauna were also excellent. Location stunning and village with lots of amenities was very close by. I would highly recommend.
March 13, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from The Highland Club
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an absolutely amazing stay in our beautiful apartment. We take great pride in providing our guests with everything they need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and we're glad to know that the cleanliness and amenities met your expectations.
We're also delighted that you enjoyed the facilities, including the swimming pool and sauna. It's always our goal to provide top-notch amenities for our guests to relax and unwind. Moreover, we're glad to hear that you found the location stunning and that the nearby village offered plenty of amenities for your convenience.
Thank you for recommending us! It means a lot to us that you had such a positive experience and that you would highly recommend our place. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again in the future.
Incredible stay at The Highland Club
The most amazing stay at The Highland club.
We stayed at the lovely Abbey Church 16 apartment. The accommodation was gorgeous with ample room with home comforts and even a welcome pack including cereals, Scottish treats & a bottle of wine.
The apartment had a view of the loch from both bedrooms, which was incredible! The setting was so quiet and peaceful and it was the perfect place to stay for a restful break.
The pool, sauna and steam room facilities were wonderful too - which were easy to book via the app and slippers, robes and towels were provided to use the spa facilities.
Every detail had been thought of in the apartment to make our stay so special! The view of the loch from our rooms was breathtaking and The Highland Club grounds were wonderful to walk around and explore and the Billiards Room was a fab place to spend an evening!
Fort Augustus is a great location for walks and we had a great fish and chips at the Loch Inn Pub & a wonderful tasting menu at The Lovat Arms.
Can’t wait to come back and visit The Highland Club again!
December 31, 2022
Unprompted review
Authentic Scottish highlands experience
We stayed in Abbey Church 16. The apartment is really warm and cosy on arrival. A welcome pack of larder basics and local snacks is provided which is a lovely touch. The building itself is gorgeous and resembles Hogwarts! Great for an Potter fans. There’s plenty of walks from the Highland Club if you don’t have a car and a few pubs too. The hotel opposite the highland club does a lovely tasting menu too. The sauna and steam room after a long snowy walk was a highlight!
December 29, 2022
Unprompted review
We had such a wonderful stay!
We had such a wonderful stay at the Highland Club. Everything you need is in the apartments and so many things to do locally. Strongly recommend!!
July 25, 2022
Unprompted review
The Highland Club
The Highland Club
We stayed in the Highland Club between the 24th of April and the 1st of May. We were greeted on arrival by very friendly staff who showed us the excellent facilities. The apartment we stayed in was extremely comfortable and very tastefully furnished, all the appliances worked and there was a range of complimentary items provided. The information provided about the local places of interest was extremely useful and gave us an excellent itinerary of trips to take from the Highland Club. The Club provided an excellent swimming pool and sports facilities to keep fit and the walks around the nearby area provided stunning views. The Highland Club was also a beautiful and impressive building which made a great setting for our holiday. The views from the lawn onto Loch Ness were amazing. Thank you to the Highland Club for a lovely stay.
May 11, 2022
Unprompted review
Excellent stay
Excellent stay. The host who met us was very nice helpful.
January 11, 2022
Unprompted review
Stayed in AC10 and the apartment was…
Stayed in AC10 and the apartment was clean modern and totally comfortable.
The welcome pack was of great quality and choice. With local shops and eateries travelling light and flying up would now be an option. We drove up and parking was easy as was check in. Our host was delightful and very helpful.
September 20, 2021
Unprompted review
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.
Learn more about other kinds of reviews.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.