Inverlochy's reputation for gracious hospitality goes back as far as Queen Victoria's visit in the Autumn of 1873. Accompanied by her trusted ghillie John Brown, Victoria found great solace in the Castle and its breathtaking surroundings where cares seemed to just melt away. So enchanted was Victoria with Inverlochy, it has been said that this area may have become the Royal Family's favoured Highland retreat, had Balmoral not already come to her attention. In its earliest times, Queen Victoria spent several happy days here sketching and painting. The Queen was moved to record in her diary: