Tradition and friendly perfection are the goals the staff at the UK’s most northerly luxury hotel work hard to achieve.
And it is difficult to fault the Links House for anything. Driving through the historic Scottish seaside town signals the start of a very special journey.
Less than 100 yards from the first tee of the world’s second best golf club, according to Golf Digest, the hotel looks smart and beautiful from the outside, with the inside on another par of excellence.
The main building is a former manse which dates back to 1843 and has 15 bedrooms and suites, as well as a fine dining restaurant.
To complement the traditional, Glensheil House is a modern replica and home to five stunning suites and just 100 yards away from the main hotel.
The small team of staff are the mainstay of the hotel’s success, with nothing too much trouble and their real interest in the guests and the enjoyment of the visit their number one priority.
A grand old door set ajar with a solid curling stone provides a warm welcome and guests can enjoy the comfort of the old library with an honesty bar or the cosy drawing room.
The Mara (Gaelic for sea) restaurant is a modern addition to the manse, but has been designed to blend in. Again, it’s all about individual hospitality. Breakfasts are served at the table, using the finest local produce and with a great selection to meet everyone’s tastes, including expertly made thick and creamy porridge and a scrumptious full Scottish.
Dinner here is an occasion, where time is allowed to savour. With tempting tasters to start off, the menu is all about the best of Highland seafood, meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses.
These can be paired with wonderful wines and the ever changing menus serves up such delights as Caithness rabbit with black pudding and carrot, hand dived Orkney scallop with Jerusalem artichoke, boar bacon and chives or delica pumpkin tart served with pumpkin seed ketchup, tarragon and crispy onion. Cleverly created mains of North Sea Cod with scallop mousse, tromptte and chervil root, compete with local seasonal game intertwined with beetroot, parsley and hazelnut or for the vegetarians, mushroom and duck egg ravioli, richly covered with truffled persillade, a brown butter glaze and parmesan.
Local cheeses from nearby Tain, along with spiced pear soufflé with brown sugar ice cream and malt rice pudding, chocolate cream, hazelnut tuile and orange, are some of the tantalising desserts on offer. Private dining in both the main and Glensheil House are also an option which is becoming increasingly popular.
After all that fine dining, the relaxation of the bedroom is tempting, especially the five grand suites in Glensheil House, named after some of Scotland’s great salmon rivers. The huge rooms are decorated with elegant furnishings, big beds with handcrafted Hypnos mattresses, bespoke furniture and impressive bathrooms with both showers and baths, fluffy slippers, robes and Arran Aromatic toiletries.
Tea and coffee facilities complete with Scottish favourite treats from Tunnocks Biscuits are only surpassed by a welcome “Old-fashioned” cocktail and Deeside spring water.
Perfectly positioned armchairs allow time to gaze over the Dornoch Firth or to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club which is one of Scotland’s oldest. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1886, the links course brings together challenging play and spectacular scenery.
Home to The Struie, originally the ladies’ course, it was extended to 18 holes in the 1990s. Such is its popularity, that a new energy efficient clubhouse is to open next year. The hotel also has its own sporting bothy for storage of clubs, fishing rods and leisure kits.
Golf is only one attraction to Dornoch (Gaelic for pebbly place), a former royal burgh and steeped in history, with the beautiful traditional homes standing next to a 13th century cathedral, old town jail and sheriff court and a magnificent castle, which is now a hotel.
Famous for being the last place a witch was burnt in Scotland, today it is also well known for the award-winning Carnegie Whisky Cellar, where tastings with experts are available and can be included as part of a package with Links House. All adding up to making the hotel a real Highland adventure!
The Details
Links House, Royal Dornoch, Golf Road, Dornoch, IV25 3LW, Scotland.
Tel: + 44 (0)1862 810279
Website: www.linkshousedornoch.com
Email: info@linkshousedornoch.com
The hotel is an hour’s drive away from Inverness Airport, with direct buses, which can also be caught in the city centre to Dornoch.
Type of Hotel: 5-Star Luxury Hotel
Number of Bedrooms: 15 bedrooms and suites.
Price Band: Medium to high. Selective dates enjoy a 20% discount or three nights for the price of two offer are available by checking the website.
Insider Tip: Ensure to get the best out of your trip by enjoying the friendliness of the staff, who are dedicated to ensuring a perfect experience.
Additional Information: The hotel can be booked outright for special occasions and the restaurant is open to non-diners. Offers include The Highland Experience where you can choose from one, two or three nights, enjoy a bottle of chilled Joseph Perrier champagne on arrival, dine in the 2AA rosette Mara restaurant, receive a £50 tasting voucher for The Carnegie Whisky Cellar, breakfast and experiences such as falconry or taking in the North Coast 500 by air.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Links House
Be the first to comment