Strachur Estate and its famous visitors

The Creggans Inn was established in mid 1800’s as a coaching inn at Creggans Point, on the east shore of Loch Fyne where the Victorian steamboat linked Strachur with Inveraray. In 1957, it was purchased as part of the Strachur estate by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, a charismatic diplomat, politician, soldier and author.

An original member of the SAS and Winston Churchill’s personal representative in Yugoslavia, he had also been a friend of Ian Fleming and his daring war exploits have led some to think Fitzroy was the inspiration for the suave, James Bond ‘licensed to kill’ agent 007. MacLean and his wife, Lady Veronica McLean who was a keen cook and wrote many cookery books, saw the inn as a chance to share with others their love of good food and drink in convivial surroundings. Their ‘sumptious hospitality’ was supplemented by a dram of MacPhunn’s whisky, developed by Maclean and called after a local laird, MacPhunn of Driepp who reputedly hosted a visit by Mary Queen of Scots.

The MacLeans’ ownership of the inn attracted a number of famous guests including Roger Moore, Joanna Lumley, Princess Margaret, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Its reputation also attracted Billy Connolly’s satirical eye and the inn features in his classic ‘Left over Venison' comedy routine!

More information on visiting the area can be found here.