My last post was filled with such great information that I am back. We are spending 2 weeks in Scotland for my friend's 50th bday. I was going to leave out the Northern part, but once I read the books... we have to go...we are doing a whirlwind trip this time and will return to our favorite spots next year..
Any suggestions on places to stay in the
Gairloch/Laide area; the Thurso area; and the Golspie area?
I am so excited!
Thank you
Wendy in New England

Topping for Wendy.

Keith

Hi,
In June we spent a couple of weeks in the north of Scotland. We spent three days at a lovely B & B in Wick. This is fairly easy striking distance of Golspie and Thurso. It was called "The Clachan", the rooms were lovely and well equipped and, given my aching knees, one of the best things was that the rooms were on the ground floor, purpose built. The hostess, Elspeth Bremner could not have been more welcoming and helpful.
I loved northern Scotland, especially the northwest area called Assynt, wild and remote but so beautiful. Enjoy.
Rosemary

When are you traveling? it does make a difference since many places in the far north close for the season in October. Also - the days get very short in the late Fall/Winter.

But if the trip is soon you won't run into any problems.

Here are two nice places - not in Golspie but in nearby Dornoch. Where ever you stay, definitely do not miss Dornoch Cathedral

http://www.highfieldhouse.co.uk/

http://homepages.tesco.net/~fourpenny/index.html

For reasons I can never quite put my finger on, I have always liked Poolewe more than Gairloch. The Pool House Hotel there is terrific, but the Poolewe Hotel is OK too- much more downmarket.

You should have a visit to the Badachro Inn for supper. They don't have rooms as such but they do have a small self catering unit it might be worth asking about- a good place to spend an evening tho'.

We are very fond of the The Old Mill Highland Lodge in Talladale

http://www.theoldmillhighlandlodge.co.uk/

The food is excellent and the hotel is in a beautiful spot between Kinlochewe & Gairloch.

The only downsides might be that they don't take credit cards and that a set four course dinner is included in the price. I don't mind that because I have never not enjoyed a meal there, but faddy feeders might object.