Black Bull with Rooms

Stayed for one night last Saturday. I wasn’t expecting much, as I only paid £54.00 for the room but I was really pleasantly surprised. In fact I was impressed. The room was very clean, modern, warm and cosy and the bed was super comfortable. I went downstairs to the bar/restaurant which was buzzing. The place clearly has a good reputation. I had a few beers then chose breaded haddock with chip and peas. The beer was excellent and the food was excellent. The staff were so polite and helpful and very efficient. Best place I’ve stayed in years.

The family at AtlasAdventured recommends this hotel! We stayed here late October 2023. We were looking for something close to the Halloween activities we were taking our daughter to, but somewhere that wasn’t in the middle of a big city, close to restaurants, and all for a decent price. This place checked all of those boxes. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first. It’s a 3 star hotel, the pictures looked like it was a tiny, worn down room, but boy were we pleasantly surprised! The room is small, but not as small as I was imagining. Very clean, good size bathroom, and very easy check in and out. We stayed in a triple room which had a full size bed and a twin. The twin bed was tucked in a little corner of the room which our daughter loved. The restaurant attached (The Coorie In) was amazing. We would definitely stay here again next time we’re in town!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... We booked rooms to bookend our road trip around Scotland. As a family of 5 it meant splitting into a 2 and a 3, and on our first night, a Sunday, we were given 3 doubles instead of 2 family rooms. We were told this was due to some redecorating of the family accommodation. I was a little sceptical at first as it would mean our 14yr old having a room to himself, but the 3 rooms we were given were the only rooms in one wing of the building, meaning we could come and go as we needed between the rooms. Rooms 6,7&8 were all doubles, room 7 being noticeably smaller and harder to navigate. There wasn't anywhere to put a suitcase, and I'm glad we only had 1 night there. The decor was fresh and modern, and I was happy with everything else -apart from some lumpy pillows which could do with replacing. Sufficient tea, coffee, milk and some tasty biscuits were welcome. I was optimistic about our stay on the homeward journey. We arrived on a Friday night at about 8.30pm. The restaurant/bar seemed busy. We checked in fine, the rooms were similar decor (grey and white) as our previous rooms, but we had the two family rooms ( 4&5 ) this time. Each was bigger than the doubles downstairs, having an actual cupboard/wardrobe to hang clothes up rather than just hangers on the wall. The doors had a strange wooden footplate (which was broken, for room 4,) and squeeky. It was warm, and I thought a window had been left open as it was quite clear to hear people outside out for a smoke. It wasn't until I went to close the window that I realised it WAS shut, but there was a big gap at the top of each window allowing sound and a draft through. Then came the music. A talented lady singing live in the Corrie...which I'm sure was a bonus to the patrons of the bar, but not a family with children trying to get to sleep. The live music went on until 12am. Phew, I could finally get to sleep ...alas, the DJ started playing club music until 1am, at which point I was finally able to go to sleep...until 2.20am when I was woken by the staff shouting to each other as they cleared away. The pillows were lumpy here too, and a broken bathroom floor seems to have caught a few people out. I managed to kick it with my foot while wearing shoes, my son wasn't so fortunate and did it barefoot. By the look of it, it's a common problem. If we'd stayed out first night on a Friday in these rooms I would have cancelled the follow-up visit, as sleep is a Fundamental for me, and I got a terrible night. Strangely the windows in room 5 were actually broken at the top, making the room noisy and draughty, and I could get my finger into one of the gaps! I would stay again in the doubles 6&8, but not on a weekend.

Stayed here on 2 separate nights, one being a Friday and the following Saturday, the Friday night we stayed in Room 7 on street level, no steps, very small but perfectly serviceable including TV and small bathroom with a lovely shower a little noisy with people in and out and doors closing through the night. The Saturday we stayed in Room 3 around the back up a several stairs, slightly larger than room 7 again clean and tidy with a nice bed and shower room, . The establishment do not offer food but both the Corrie in next door do great food, ate at here both nights and the food is very tasty also had breakfast in the black bull which was fantastic, see my other reviews on these, all the staff are very friendly. Less than half the price if a Premier Inn, but if it's just a bed to rest your head for a night you cannot go wrong would recommend and very likely to visit during our next trip. Free parking across the street less than a minutes walk away. This is not a criticism and this will not stop me booking in the future but on a Saturday night right next to the pub a lot of very happy people were having a great night drinking and singing, thankfully all went quiet 01.00 as it was kicking out time

We stayed for 1 night was in a upstairs room I think the room was lovely and homely comfy bed which for me Is a must nice size bathroom. I had a hick up though in the morning I left my ring Iin the bathroom when we checked out. For 15 minutes I was trying to contact the owners with the numbers on the website to know avail, the pub was shut so I nearly left without it to later contact them to send it back but luckily enough the house keeper came out of the downstairs rooms and let me go back in for it. So all wad good we would go back again.

Stayed 2 nights and would stay again….room was small but perfectly adequate for our needs. Very clean and with a comfy bed. Tea and coffee available, real coat hangers (I hate the ones which are fixed in to the rail) Touch lamp on the bedside table. Walk in shower was great, lots of room and good power. A good find for a good price!

My partner and I booked a last minute stay and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Staff was so friendly, food was delightful, room was a little small but suited us fine for a couples get away. We will definitely be back!! Mussels were delicious and steaks were cooked to perfection.

I booked this room for three nights using *******. When I arrived, I was surprised that there were no check in instructions with my confirmation emails. I had to go into the pub and ask the bar staff how to get into the room. I was told that I should have received a code for the key safe, which I never received. I ended up having to phone the host using a number they had behind the bar. As it turned out, the host had sent the check in instructions to *******, meaning I never received them. I don't know how things work on the back end with *******, so I don't know whether they were meant to pass on the details to me or if the host was even provided with my email address or phone number. It's difficult to tell where the fault lies, but it did make things difficult and the uncertainty was not reassuring. The room was cosy, although the bed is positioned very close to both the bathroom door and the front door, which made it difficult to get around. There's an unfurnished and unused space near the window so I couldn't help thinking the bed could be shifted to give more room to navigate. The bed is comfortable and the linens were clean. The bathroom and shower were spotless and the shower water pressure was perfect. There were nice large mugs, a kettle, and selection of good quality tea, coffee and milk. I couldn't find any way to open the kettle lid as it seemed to be broken, but it wouldn't have fit under the basin tap anyway because the kettle is too big (or the basin too small). I used the mug to pour water into the kettle spout, which was a hassle but it worked. The room I stayed in was on the ground floor near the road and right near the pub exit. There was road noise and noise from the pub patrons (men smoking outside my window and shouting children) until late. The bedroom walls and doors are thin and you can hear other guests talking in the hall, coughing in their room or walking along the creaky floor above. There's a strange green light in the ceiling of the room I stayed in which is loosely covered by some peeling packing tape, and combined with the street lights outside the window, the room doesn't really get very dark. Those things made it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep, so be warned if you're a light sleeper. I was woken up every couple of hours by something. I realise that some of these things are out of the host's control, but just be aware. Parking is free and plentiful and there are spaces on the road outside or, if you can find it, the car park behind the pharmacy is the best bet.  WiFi in the room seemed decent with a strong signal. Overall, my experience wasn't great.

Me and a colleague recently stayed in a twin room (room 2) at the black bull and can’t fault a thing. Ideal for us, comfy beds, clean room, good quality shower, fresh towels and an excellent pub next door that served good food and had superb staff. Perfect whilst working locally for the week. The room is small but didn’t make the stay any less enjoyable. Excellent value for money.