CAZENOVIA — Last week, The Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia celebrated its 75th anniversary and honored famed Scottish poet Robert Burns during two events.
The family-run, Scotland-inspired guesthouse and restaurant hosted a Robert Burns Night Supper on Saturday, June 12 and a Burns Night Party the night before.
Burns Night has been celebrated at The Brae Loch every year since 1946. Traditionally, it is celebrated on or near Jan. 25 in honor of the poet’s birthday. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was rescheduled.
The supper featured The Grey Barr Memorial Pipe Band, Bells & Motley strolling minstrels, highland dancers, Irish step dancers, singers, the “Address to a Haggis” poem, and a six-course meal of Scottish specialties.
Held in preparation of Saturday’s event and in celebration of the inn’s anniversary, the Burns Night Party featured live Celtic rock band Kilrush, a complimentary Scotch tasting, and Scottish hors d’oeuvres.
“I think it’s really special to see a family-run business that has stood the test of time [and] stayed true to its roots,” said Val Barr, who owns the inn with her husband, Jimmy. “The world has changed dramatically over the last 75 years. It’s nice to be a part of something that, although changes with the times a bit, has really kept the same feeling it has had since the beginning. I know many of our customers love the fact that they came to The Brae Loch with their parents and/or grandparents and now they can come have dinner with their children and/or grandchildren and share a bit of their past.”
The Brae Loch Inn (“Hill Lake Inn”) was originally run in an old farmhouse in Borodino, NY, on a hilltop overlooking Skaneateles Lake.
According to The Brae Loch website, Adam “Scotty” Brown, of Scotland, and his wife, Eva, opened the business with their “twa boys” in 1946 as a summer-only restaurant.
In 1950, they relocated to the inn’s current location, which was once part of the 1805 William Burr Estate.
Operated by Brown, his son Peter, and his stepson, Henry Grey Barr (known as Grey), The Brae Loch became the setting for weddings, intimate fine dining, overnight accommodations, catering, business meetings, and banquets.
The inn’s current owners took over in 1988.
Grey, who was Jimmy’s father and became known as the “Silver Scot,” died in 2013 after 67 years with The Brae Loch.
Barr said she credits the longevity of the business to the Brown/Barr family’s continued involvement.
“We have had so many family members involved [over the years], and those employees and customers who are not family are treated like family,” she said.
Today, The Brae Loch is a cornerstone of the Cazenovia business community.
“[It seems like] everyone in town has worked for The Brae Loch, or at least has had a family member work here,” said Barr. “We have always tried to maintain a pleasant site and a welcoming feeling for everyone who drives around the corner and sees The Brae Loch as they come into town.”
Barr added that The Brae Loch’s success is due in large part to its ability to change with the times with updates like computerization, changing menus and adding live music, while staying true to its Scottish roots and maintaining its “old world” feel.
She explained that, given the prevalence of chain restaurant and hotels, she thinks visitors find it refreshing to walk into a warm and inviting space that feels like a family member’s home.
Throughout the years, The Brae Loch owners have made several notable changes to both the business and the historic Albany Street building, which previously served as a private residence and the Williams Inn.
In the 1960s, the basement of the building was dug out by hand with wheel barrels to create the existing bar and dining room.
Additions to the front and back of the building were also made in the 1960s to accommodate a large kitchen and eight additional overnight rooms.
“Over 20 years ago, Jimmy and I fenced in the lawn area and added outdoor dining,” recalled Barr. “We are now a favorite live music venue, inside and outside, year round. We have built on our Scottish roots by making sure we always have some Scottish delicacies on the menu. Haggis wasn’t always on the regular menu. Now, it is one of our most popular dishes. We have expanded our single malt scotch collection to over 100 and have a Scotch Club for those customers who love scotch and want to learn more about it.”
Looking to the future, the Barrs plan to continue providing guests with great food, drink, music, atmosphere and service, while continuing to evolve and stay true to their roots.
“As we think of retirement, hopefully one or both of our children might want to continue the tradition,” Barr said. ‘However, our daughter, Kiley, and our son, Greyson, are both in the midst of other careers. So, who knows? Jimmy and I would love to see the Brae Loch continue until our 100-year anniversary and beyond.”
The Brae Loch Inn is located at 5 Albany St., Cazenovia.
For more information, visit braelochinn.com.
