Scotland: The award-winning team behind one of Argyll's most iconic coastal hotels has announced plans to open a new café overlooking Castle Stalker and Loch Linnhe in early 2026.
The Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin is leading the refurbishment of the former Castle Stalker View Café on the A828 between Ballachulish and Connel.
The café was a much-loved stop off for visitors and the local community for over two decades, but it closed in April 2025 following the departure of its previous tenant. The closure resulted in the loss of local jobs and left the area without one of its key visitor attractions.
Following a winter makeover, the Pierhouse team now aims to breathe new life into the café and re-open the doors to visitors before Easter.
The café will offer a choice of indoor and outdoor seating for visitors to drink in the breathtaking panoramic views over Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker (title picture), Sgeir Bhuidhe Lighthouse and the islands of Mull and Lismore towards the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Scheduled to open seven days a week throughout the year, the newly managed café and shop is expected to support 10 full-time and part-time local hospitality and retail jobs.
The new daytime menu will showcase home baking, seasonal soup and sandwiches, as well as hot and chilled drinks. The retail offering will include authentic Scottish and local products.
The café and shop will serve the local community as well as visitors touring the Argyll coast by car, foot, cycle or kayak. Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker are also popular stops for people travelling between Glencoe, Fort William and Oban, as well as those cycling the Caledonian way – National Route 78.
The Pierhouse Hotel general manager, Fiona McLean, said it was a privilege to be leading the revival of this iconic Argyll coast venue. "The café has been an integral part of Argyll's tourism offering for more than 20 years, so we're committed to preserving its legacy, while enhancing the experience for both locals and visitors," she said.
"With its uninterrupted panoramic views over Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker, we hope that our new look café will quickly become one of Scotland's most popular food and drink destinations."
For those looking for a little more at the end of the day, a la carte dining showcasing the best local seafood is available at Pierhouse Hotel's award-winning restaurant, open for lunch and dinner all year round.
"Our restaurant and bar menus include the freshest langoustines, mussels and lobsters harvested from Loch Linnhe and Loch Etive, as well as fine handpicked oysters from the oyster beds of Loch Creran, just 10 minutes from the hotel," Ms McLean said.
Located just three kilometres from its new café overlooking Castle Stalker, The Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant is tucked away on the shores of Loch Linnhe at Port Appin. The small hotel and renowned Scottish seafood restaurant has an established reputation as one of Argyll's most idyllic and romantic destinations.
The Pierhouse Hotel is home to Scotland's 'Chef of the Year' and 'Romantic Restaurant of the Year' 2025. The Pierhouse Hotel restaurant has three silver stars, two AA rosettes and is one of only three Argyll restaurants included in the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
As part of the launch plans for its new café, the hotel is actively seeking to rebuild the cafe's team, combining resources from The Pierhouse Hotel with previously employed team members and any new recruits.
More information:
The Pierhouse | Hotel near Oban, Argyll, Scotland
Original text © 2025 Breaking Travel News
Title picture: Sherry Wilbur/Pixabay