And so to bed
It wasn’t only regular diners coming out from Edinburgh, it was also the businessmen visiting the high-tech factories around Falkirk that gave Anne Davidson the inspiration to develop Champany Inn into what the French so eloquently call a “Restaurant with Rooms”. Anne Davidson has created a set of sixteen bedroom suites which echo the French concept, but with all the warmth of typical Scottish hospitality. The large and airy rooms, furnished with comfortable club chairs, featuring attractive bow windows hung with hunting tartan curtains.
There is plenty of hanging space in the ample wardrobe while the well lit dressing table, with plenty of drawers, can easily double as a desk if you have to work. The king sized double beds, covered in the same tartan as the curtains are firm and blissfully comfortable. Bedside tables, on either side, have their own lamps. The large remote control television, with cable news and sports channels, will keep you entertained or up-to-date with world news. A table in the bow window is set with complementary drinks, a miniature each of Macallan and Bombay Sapphire Gin, complete with a can of Schweppes Indian Tonic Water, a small bottle of each still and sparkling Highland mineral water, glasses and a well filled ice bucket. Everything that the weary traveler needs either before or after his shower.
Which brings us to the spacious white tiled bathroom. Behind a recess are the toilet and bidet. The room has a full length bath complete with “telephone” shower, a separate shower cubicle with powerful overhead shower. The wash hand basin has plenty of room for toiletries and is already furnished with a basket with soap, shower gel and shampoo. Beside the basin is one of those wonderful magnifying mirrors which make shaving such a pleasure. They are also useful, or so I am told, for putting on makeup as well as putting in contact lenses in. A strip light over the basin incorporates a plug for electric razors.
Large fluffy white towels complete the feeling of comfort. After a good nights sleep nothing is more welcome than a good Scottish breakfast. Freshly squeezed orange juice, tea or coffee and proper porridge as well as an Anglo-Saxon breakfast grill of butchers bacon, fresh laid eggs, home made Champany Sausage and black pudding, toast and preserves, is more than sufficient to set any man up for the day.
There is also a most comfortable guest lounge in the reception area, with a friendly open fire. Here you might be fortunate enough to meet Friday, the family pet. He is a giant white cockatoo - who adores having his head scratched - and given half a chance will chat to you unmercifully and even join in any conversation you may be having.