About the
Custom House Hotel
The Customs House sits at the western mouth of Scotland's oldest canal. It was built around 1800 to log what came through Bowling Harbour and send it on. Whisky, sugar, tobacco, cloth, timber, salt and tea all passed through this building: checked in, and carried up to the railway and across Scotland. Bowling was a busy working harbour then, with ships arriving from across the country and the world.
The canal fell quiet in 1963 and reopened in 2002, this time for walkers, cyclists, narrowboats and pleasure craft. The swing bridge still does its slow turn. The towpath runs east to Glasgow and west to the Clyde, and the trains still stop a short walk away.
The building does the same job it always did. Seven rooms upstairs, each named for a cargo that came through here. The Byre, a sauna and cold plunge, a few steps from the water. A kitchen with the kettle always on, and a terrace over the basin. Arrivals are logged, looked after, and sent on their way. Only now they stay the night."
Seven rooms, seven cargoes
Each named for a trade that came through here. En-suite, a kettle, a harbour view from the superior rooms. From £91.80 a night.
The Byre
A wood-fired sauna and a cold plunge, a few steps from the water. Warm through, into the plunge, then out to the towpath for the air. Book a session by the canal.
Gather here to celebrate
Birthdays, retirements, corporate days and the rest. Book the building and the day is yours: the terrace, the basin behind you, and catering arranged to suit. If you need help sourcing food or entertainment, fill in the contact form and we'll come back to you.
Your Special Day
The terrace takes up to 250 guests, with a choice of marquees, or a yurt if that's more your thing. Catering comes in several options to suit your style. The basin makes the photographs: the water, the swing bridge and the light off the canal, different at every hour of the day. And there are up to seven rooms upstairs for close family, the night before and after.
Exclusive Use
Book your event and the building is yours. No other party, no shared spaces. Our job is to stay out of the way and keep the day running, whether that's a wedding, a corporate day or a family party. Any questions, contact us directly and we'll answer them straight.
The kitchen
Breakfast is self-served, at your own pace. Coffee, tea, and bagels to start the day on. Take it at the kitchen table, in the lounge by the fire, or out on the terrace when the weather plays along. The kettle's always on; help yourself. And if you've booked The Byre, the order is sauna, plunge, towpath, breakfast.
Gallery
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