Set close to the shores of Loch Awe, The Kilchrenan Inn is a proudly independent, food-led rural gastro pub with rooms, combining relaxed luxury with original Highland charm. Recently refurbished, the Inn offers guests a warm and welcoming space to enjoy seasonal Scottish food, thoughtful service and a peaceful countryside setting.
Recognised in the Top 100 Pubs in the UK by The Good Food Guide, we are known for our commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menus and genuine hospitality. At the Kilchrenan, sustainability and zero waste sit at the heart of everything we do.
Our Head Chef and General Manager, Iain, is deeply passionate about seasonality and creating dishes that reflect the landscape and time of year food that allows guests to truly taste where they are. Our menus celebrate the very best of local produce, changing regularly with the seasons and showcasing modern Scottish cooking at its finest.
Our fish arrives whole, our scallops are hand-dived off the coast of Mull, our sauces are made from scratch and wherever possible we butcher our own meat in house. During the summer months, we grow herbs, salad leaves and tomatoes in our raised beds. Iain also makes the most of the temperate rainforest around us, foraging for ingredients such as wild garlic, chanterelles and young spruce to bring a true sense of place to the menu.
Our culture is calm, professional and organised, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, consistency and pride in the detail.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and personable Front of House & Accommodation Duty Manager to lead guest experience across both our food-led pub and guest bedrooms.
This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who enjoys being present on the floor, welcoming guests, and ensuring every aspect of service from dinner to departure runs seamlessly.
Working closely with our General Manager and Head Chef Iain, you will play a key role in delivering and maintaining our ethos of sustainability, zero waste, championing local, seasonal produce and exceptional standards in guest care, ensuring the Inn continues to thrive as a destination gastro pub with rooms in Argyll .
Key Responsibilities
Front of House & Guest Experience
Lead and oversee front of house service across breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar
Champion our ethos of sustainable, low-waste hospitality
Create a warm, professional and relaxed guest experience at all times
Manage service flow, pacing and atmosphere during busy periods
Handle guest feedback, queries and complaints with confidence and care
Maintain exceptional standards of presentation, cleanliness and ambience
Accommodation & Guest Bedrooms
Oversee the day-to-day management of guest rooms
Manage bookings, availability and pricing strategy
Coordinate seamless check-in and check-out experiences
Supervise housekeeping standards, inspections and rotas
Manage linen, laundry, amenities and room presentation
Ensure all guest communications and special requests are handled efficiently
Team Leadership & Training
Lead, train and support front of house and housekeeping teams
Set clear expectations for service standards and behaviour
Work with the General Manager to create fair, sustainable rotas aligned with business needs
Lead daily briefings with front of house team in consultation with the GM as needed and service handovers
Foster a positive, supportive and professional working culture
Reservations, Systems & Administration
Manage restaurant and accommodation reservation systems
Balance bookings to optimise service flow and occupancy
Monitor deposits, cancellations and no-shows
Maintain accurate guest records and communications
Support business forecasting and planning
Stock Control, Cash Handling & Compliance
Manage bar stock, ordering and cellar organisation
Oversee cash handling, tills and end-of-day procedure
Ensure licensing, health & safety and compliance standards are met
Maintain cleanliness and safety across all public areas
Collaboration & Reputation
Work closely with the kitchen team to ensure seamless service delivery
Understand and share with confidence our zero waste sustainable hospitality ethos
Support events, private dining and food-led promotions
Assist in managing online reviews and guest feedback
Represent the Inn positively within the local community
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
Essential Experience and Skills
Proven experience in a front of house manager, restaurant manager, or hotel supervisor role
Experience in a gastro pub, boutique hotel, or food-led hospitality business
Confident running both service and accommodation operations
Cellar management
Experience with EPOS systems and reservation platforms
Understanding of licensing laws, health & safety, and compliance
Ability to manage rotas, stock control and service flow
Key Attributes
Naturally warm, guest-focused and highly organised
Strong leadership skills with a hands-on approach
Calm under pressure with a solutions-focused mindset
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
High attention to detail and pride in presentation
Other Requirements
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and peak seasons
Comfortable working in a rural location
Right to work in the UK
What We Offer
Ongoing training and professional development
Supportive, hands-on ownership team
Assistance with accommodation (if required)
A stable, long-term role in a respected, growing business
Opportunity to live and work in a stunning Highland location
Career Progression
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior role within a respected rural hospitality business.
You will work closely with the owners and General Manager, with real scope to:
Grow into a senior leadership position
Influence standards, systems and guest experience
Play a key role in shaping the Inns long-term success
We actively support professional development and encourage progression within the business.
How We Work Together
At The Kilchrenan Inn, we operate as a close-knit team built on trust, respect and clear communication.
Front of house, kitchen and housekeeping work collaboratively to deliver a seamless guest experience from arrival to breakfast the next morning. Everyone is encouraged to take ownership, contribute ideas, and support one another, particularly during busy service.
We believe that when our team feels supported, valued and proud of their work, it shows in every guest interaction.
Equal Opportunities
The Kilchrenan Inn is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace for everyone.
TPBN1_UKCT