1 May, 2024
Country Living - The best Scottish Highlands hotels for a beautiful rural break in 2024
Posted on 16 April, 2024
Photo by martin bennie on Unsplash
Written by Caroline Lewis for Country Living
The northern reaches of Scotland are home to some of the most dramatic scenery in Britain – along with some heavenly Scottish Highland hotels.
Whether you want to look for Nessie on Loch Ness, drive the NC500 – one of the most scenic road trips in the country – or get out into the great outdoors on a picturesque walking route, the Scottish Highlands have the breath-taking backdrop for you to do it in.
The area is home to charming towns like Dornoch, Fort William and Inverness – but it’s the countryside that’s the main attraction. The Cairngorms is the UK’s largest national park and one of the few places in the country where you can ski.
After all that wholesome activity in the fresh air, you’ll want somewhere cosy to rest for the night, and the Highlands are full of historic hotels with plenty of character.
Settle in at Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, which has a whole 26,000 acres for guests to explore – covering everything from beaches and lochs to mighty munros.
Or adventure north to Forss House near Thurso, the northernmost town in the UK, to enjoy Caithness’s famous big skies and deserted shores. Here’s our pick of the very best Scottish Highlands hotels to book for a 2024 escape…
1. Glencoe House, Glencoe
Once the home of Lord Strathcona, Glencoe House sits amid the volcanic valleys and mountains of Glencoe. The Pap of Glencoe is visible from some of the bedrooms, but there’s far more reward in climbing it – the 742m mountain can be scaled in a few hours, but is not for the faint-hearted.
If you like the journey to be part of the adventure, arrive via train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct (made famous by the Hogwarts Express). Other activities at the hotel include stargazing straight from a hot tub, drinks with a view of Loch Leven and, for the more energetic, snowboarding, skiing and sledging on Glencoe Mountain.
2. Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William
This Scottish Highlands hotel has a royal seal of approval – Queen Victoria stayed here during a trip to Balmoral and declared that she "never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot". Make like the monarch and do some sketching or painting of this picturesque place, in the foothills of Ben Nevis near Fort William.
Hikers will leap at the chance to climb the United Kingdom’s highest peak, and they’ll also be able to attempt the mountains of Glencoe. Your itinerary should include a trip to the falls at Glen Nevis and the monument at Glenfinnan, too. And the best bit is you’ll have your very own room in the castle to retreat to afterwards.
3. Loch Ness Lodge, Drumnadrochit
You may not get to meet Nessie, but you’ll be able to try – this loch-edge hotel has many vantage points over the water, including from each of the rooms. Hikers at Loch Ness Lodge will be able to soothe sore limbs in the spa, which has a hot tub and sauna, as well as a treatment list. And the hearty breakfasts will set you up for days out exploring.
There’s no restaurant for evening meals, but private dining parties can be arranged on request, or you can head into Inverness for dinners at a wide choice of restaurants. Staff can also organise bookings at other hotel restaurants within strolling distance of the lodge.
4. Forss House, Thurso
This country house hotel near Thurso has 20 acres of woodland to call its own – and it’s beside a waterfall on the banks of the namesake river. The house itself dates back to 1810, with beautifully modernised rooms in the main house, along with accommodation with its own entrance in the River House.
Forss House's celebrated restaurant makes the most of the neighbouring estates and surrounding waters to source its produce. And it can all be enjoyed under Caithness’s famous vast skies and wide open spaces – this part of Scotland is one for the adventurers, keen to explore the incredible landscapes, craggy cliffs and empty coastline.
5. Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, Gairloch
On a vast estate in the West Highlands and close to the village of Gairloch, Victorian hunting lodge Shieldaig Lodge Hotel is a place to really immerse yourself in Highland life – whether that’s in one of the cosy rooms beside a log fire, in the games room or outside enjoying the manicured gardens and views of Shieldaig Bay.
There’s also, most importantly, a bar stocking more than 250 whiskies and 110 gins. Days can be spent canoeing on Loch Maree, deer stalking, fishing and cycling, too – and unsurprisingly the estate’s 26,000 acres are home to some spectacular scenery, spanning beaches, lochs and munros.
6. Newhall Mains, Balblair
Offering a more contemporary decor than many of its counterparts in the Highlands, Newhall Mains still stays true to its surroundings. The 900-acre farm is near Balblair and on the Black Isle peninsula. It’s close to the start of the NC500 route for anyone hoping to complete the magical circular drive that loops from Inverness up to John O’Groats, often proclaimed one of the most spectacular driving routes in the world.
There are five cottages and four suites set across the 18th-century mains (or farm buildings) and coach house. And for anyone hoping to arrive in style, the hotel has its own airstrip ready for private jets to touch down.
The restaurant opens for breakfast and dinner, and guests can also order picnic hampers to enjoy either on the road or within the extensive grounds. Dinner at the restaurant champions Scotland's bounty, with plenty of locally sourced seafood on the menu in dishes such as wood-fired langoustines with lemon butter, seared West Coast scallops, and grilled native lobster. For special occasions, the hotel also has a South American-style asado on hand to create flame-grilled feasts.
7. Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
You don’t have to like golf to enjoy a stay at Links House at Royal Dornoch – but if you do, you’re in for a treat, since the hotel is steps from the course’s first tee. And if you’re into something else, you’ll be pleased to know that the team love tailoring their guests’ stays, whether they want to do some stalking, shooting or fishing, cycle or hike the Highlands, or set off on the NC500 drive.
They’ll also help to organise wildlife tours or trips around any number of the local castles and their magnificent gardens. It’s a wonderful place to visit all year, but the long summer Highland evenings are hard to beat.
8. Glenmorangie House, Tain
As the name suggests, this boutique retreat is near the Glenmorangie distillery, making it the ultimate Scottish Highlands hotel for whisky lovers. The charming inn is secluded and remote, surrounded by nature and the countryside this part of the world is so famous for.
Glenmorangie House, originally owned by the whisky producers themselves, has just six bedrooms and three cottages, as well as an acclaimed restaurant where you can enjoy dining as if you’re attending a dinner party. Along with tastings (and shopping) over at the distillery, activities at the hotel include stargazing, and some of the region’s most famous castles – Dunrobin and Urquhart – are within 50 miles of the country house.
9. Knockendarroch House Hotel, Pitlochry
This house near Pitlochry was built for a lawyer from Aberdeen in 1880, with a specification that included four acres of gardens, a courtyard and a grand entrance with stained-glass windows and stone columns, still intact today.
A stay at Knockendarroch House Lodge places you in the heart of Highland Perthshire, one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland – and the competition is certainly stiff. The region’s landscape is formed from glens, river, lochs and heather-covered hilltops. The local wildlife includes red deer, grouse, badgers and golden eagles. Dunkeld is a few miles south of Pitlochry, and the wilds of Rannoch are a short drive west – from here you’ll be able to board the West Highland Line to Mallaig, one of Europe’s most scenic railway journeys.
10. Old Manse of Blair, Pitlochry
Also in Highland Perthshire and in the southern stretches of the Cairngorm National Park, the Old Manse of Blair is a restaurant with rooms in a listed building that dates back to 1828. There are just 26 rooms – available on an exclusive-use basis for a memorable group celebration – with an impressive art collection, bespoke furniture and stylish soft furnishings.
It’s the great outdoors that’s championed most around here though, unsurprisingly for somewhere with such a spectacular backdrop – activities on offer include salmon fishing, clay-pigeon shooting, gorge walking at the Falls of Bruar and off-road driving.
Signature dishes at the acclaimed restaurant include venison carpaccio, scallops with sea buckthorn and apple, and West Coast langoustines with burnt cream. The chef is a keen forager and uses as much locally sourced Scottish produce as possible.
11. The Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe
There are lots of scenic parts of the Scottish Highlands, but one of the most dramatic is Glencoe, where you’ll find the Ballachulish Hotel, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, with captivating views of the water on show from many of the rooms. If you're hoping to visit one of Scotland's many heritage hotels, this grand Glencoe retreat could be the Highland stay for you. It's well versed in the art of hospitality, having been welcoming guests since 1877.
Nearby attractions include Loch Etive, famous as being a filming location for Skyfall back in 2012. Film fans will also enjoy a trip to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, an iconic part of the route of the Hogwarts Express. It’s a dream destination for the active, with waterfalls, winding trails and Scotland’s oldest ski centre nearby, too.
On your return, head to the hotel's restaurant for some super-fresh Scottish seafood, including lobster, mussels and scampi, some of which has been sourced from the loch on your doorstep.
12. Rocpool Reserve, Inverness
If you’re hoping to do the spectacularly scenic NC500 drive while you’re up in the Highlands, Rocpool Reserve in Inverness is an ideal starting point and the perfect city base in the Highland capital. Before you set off, you’ll be able to explore Inverness Castle, or head off to historical sites of note within driving distance of the hotel, such as Cawdor Castle and the Culloden battlefield. Staff can arrange activities such as boat trips, horse-riding and golf for guests.
Or you can stay put within the confines of the Georgian mansion and admire the views of the River Ness. On offer daily for guests are complimentary afternoon teas and evening cocktails to make you feel at home. The property can also be hired out for exclusive-use bookings.
13. The Glencoe Inn, Glencoe
Surrounded by lochs and Munros near the West Highland Way, the Glencoe Inn is a five-star refuge with all of the home comforts you need after a day out hiking. The cosy inn overlooks Loch Leven, with log fires to warm up beside, tartan chairs to keep the Scottish theme on brand and dining options that keep it simple but delicious (there's a Steak & Lobster bistro, for example, where the menu focuses on grilled Scotch beef and locally caught seafood). The hotel is also home to the Fish & Chips Co for the beloved British classic, to be enjoyed dining in or as a takeaway, and a casual pizza restaurant.
There are rooms with slipper bath tubs that look out across the scenic surroundings, along with a self-catering cottage with a hot tub, perfect for soothing sore limbs after a day out hiking the picturesque neighbouring peaks. Hikers can also seek sanctuary at the outdoor hot tub at the Hidden Garden Spa.
14. Glen Mhor, Inverness
In the heart of Inverness, Glen Mhor is an ideal base for exploring the Scottish Highlands from the comfort of the Highland Capital. There are lots of rooms to choose from, set across 10 Victorian buildings, with apartments and a four-bedroom villa on offer, too. Some overlook the River Ness.
You’ll also be able to admire the river while enjoying the fine Scottish fare served at the hotel’s restaurant, including local classics such as haggis, neeps and tatties, served with a whisky cream. Other typical dishes on the menu might include steamed Scottish mussels, beef stovies and fillet of Highland venison with pickled red cabbage, celeriac remoulade and a haggis croquette. And if you’re hoping to experience a whisky distillery during your visit, staff can arrange a tour of one right here on the banks of the river.
15. Ness Walk, Inverness
On the banks of the River Ness and just 10 minutes from the loch of the same name, Ness Walk is a five-star hotel set in a listed 19th-century house. Lots of period details remain, but it also has modern touches, such as padded headboards and dove-grey wall-panelling.
Rooms overlook either the gardens or the river. Once you’ve settled in, head to the lounge to relax by the fire or have dinner at the Torrish, set in the original drawing room. Highlights on the menu include wild North Sea halibut, roast hispi cabbage and beetroot-cured Hebridean salmon. Afternoon tea is served daily – it's the perfect treat to come home to after a day out hiking.
To read the original article written by Caroline Lewis for Country Living, including images of each location, please visit: www.countryliving.com/uk/travel-ideas/staycation-uk/g38528480/scottish-highlands-hotels/
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