Culgaith

Additional Notes:	Really good pub with friendly publican and people. Accommodation small but comfy. Best: Ambience. Worst: Aussie exchange rate. Rating: 8. Worth a Diversion.
	We recently stayed at The Black Swan and we did not find the Landlord very hospitable at all. We heard him swear at his staff on more than one occasion. A customer asked if they could have a drink in the bar before going into the restaurant only to be told 'no'. Other customers were being told that if they were not back by 10.30pm they would be locked out, and that they couldn't leave before 8.30am because they would set the alarm off. (June 2003)
	Having recently visited the Black Swan Inn at Culgaith I am saddened by the comments mentioned about the landlord and the general aspect of the pub. May I add the it is unusual to see a landlord which is outgoing and very welcoming to all customers that walked through his doors. Myself and my wife initially booked to stay for 3 nights and because his hospitality was sincere and welcoming we stayed for a further 2 nights. In addition we have booked again this time for a week in April 2004.With fantastic homemade meals and fine ales and cosy surroundings the Black Swan Inn is a credit and a good example to the pub industry and would recommend it highly. (November 2003)
	This landlord needs to go on a management course..... The heating had broken down some weeks before our arrival, a token electric heater was offered when complaints were made by all that were staying, little comfort in the bar. The food was to say the least terrible and over priced for the quantities given. It is fair to say the breakfast was traditional and good. There were so many do`s and dont`s that the atmosphere was prohibitive and unfriendly. A landlords dogs trouped through the bar, sitting on seats even the locals did not surface to frequent the pub. The staff on the other hand were good and respectful despite the landlords aggressive and abusive tones. I can say with sincerity that it is the worst accommodation I have had the misfortune of staying in for some time. (September 2004)
	My girlfriend and I stayed at The Black Swan Inn, Culgaith near Penrith for valentines day, and as we are both students we were looking for somewhere relatively cheap to stay for one night. We stumbled across a few sites on the internet advertising The Black Swan Inn, Culgaith and the prices seemed very reasonable, they indicated that a double room for 2 people including breakfast was £32.50 in total. When we came to pay the following morning we were horrified to find that the price was £65 in total for the room and that it was infact £32.50 each!, plus £30 for a very over priced dinner which was terrible! a total which as students we could not afford. When questioned, the landlord Chris Pollard told us that he had no association with any of the websites we had seen his B & B advertised on and didn't even realise that they were allowing bookings to his B & B. He then told us what sounded like a load of nonsense about a ex chef who used to work for him at his B & B who could have possibly created these sites to be a nuisance! I've never heard anything like it in my life! I wouldn't like to think how many others he has been overcharging for staying in his B & B! We are in the proceed of getting a refund and are about to report Chris Pollard to the tourist board. (Nick Wilkinson - 15/2/05)