Links House at Royal Dornoch
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Luxury on Scotland’s East Coast
Traditional charm meets luxury retreat on Scotland’s east coast; ideal for the NC500, coastal walks, and gastronomic delights.
Links House at Royal Dornoch
Links House at Royal Dornoch is known as the UK’s most northerly luxury destination, and rightly so - this boutique hotel offers a truly luxurious stay in the Scottish Highlands.
Based in the historic town of Dornoch, an enchanting wild coastline surrounds Links House; guests can wander the miles of coastal paths backed by dunes, postcard-perfect beaches, and sheltered bays. Away from the beach, the charming historic town (a former royal burgh) is a gorgeous place to spend a weekend; its cathedral, coffee shops, boutique stores, and quaint high street are all very much worth visiting.
Of course, this is golf country, and many guests stay for the iconic links course.
However, what we loved the most about Links House at Royal Dornoch was the opportunity to completely and utterly relax. Sun-kissed and salty, we left the beach behind to soak in our pool-sized bathtub and revel in the Arran Aromatics toiletries, our robes and slippers waiting.
And while the sheer comfort of our room was difficult to leave, dinner in restaurant MARA, followed by a whisky cocktail and an excellent night’s sleep, finished off a perfect day. If we had to sum up the vibe, we’d say indulgent yet unpretentious; the vibe and staff are relaxed, nothing is too much trouble, and every detail carefully considered.
Rooms & Spaces
There’s a range of room types on offer at Links House at Royal Dornoch. We stayed in a beautifully appointed, bright, light, and incredibly cosy suite. However, smaller rooms and spacious apartments are also available; split across two buildings, all are elegantly furnished, showcasing a traditional charm that combines Scottish tradition and modern luxuries with indulgent furnishings.
We loved the old-fashioned whisky cocktail in our room; served alongside buttery soft shortbread, it made for the perfect welcome drink.
Equally appreciated was the shared tea and coffee station, an unusual but thoughtful touch- guests have access to fine teas, speciality coffees, fresh milk, and bottled water at any point in the day.
Downstairs, there’s a library complete with an honesty bar specialising in whisky, a gorgeous guest lounge for after-dinner fireside chats, and an outdoor terrace for drinks on those balmy summer nights.
Food
Best of all, a visit to Links House at Royal Dornoch means that you can indulge in a truly memorable culinary experience courtesy of their passionate Head Chef, Theo Creton. The 2 AA Rosette restaurant MARA offers a table d'hote menu filled with produce which is Scottish, seasonal, sustainable, and slow with an effort to achieve a target of zero waste.
As you’d expect, MARA oozes refined elegance from the moment you step inside.
There’s an excellent choice of wine and cocktails; enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the lounge before delving into the menu. There’s plenty to choose from, and the menu changes to reflect the season - but we loved the emphasis on local seafood; the lobster lasagne swimming in a lush bisque was utterly delicious and a strong contender for dish of the night, though the crab crumpet with smoked hollandaise and beautifully cooked north sea cod with brown shrimp were worthy rivals. And my partner raved about the dry-aged fillet steak with beef fat carrots and red wine jus.
But it was perhaps the little touches that us most in raptures. The leek gratin and honey-glazed parsnip sides, the surprise smoked trout amuse-bouche and the dangerously moreish home-baked bread with flavoured, tomato butter (which we couldn't stop eating).
Getting here
You’ll find Links House at Royal Dornoch in the small Highland town from which it takes its name - coastal haven and former royal burgh Dornoch. Located in Sutherland in the Eastern Scottish Highlands, Links House is 45 miles from Inverness (around 1-hour drive) and often the first stop on the ever-popular North Coast 500 road trip.
In the area
Start the day with a walk along the beach. Secluded Dornoch Beach is a glorious, golden stretch of pristine sand backed by dunes, sheltered bays, and a coastal trail with glorious sea views.
After a day on the beach, indulge in a delicious lunch at Highland Larder. A casual food shack under canvas with beachy views, it serves all manner of seafood goodness - lobster brioche rolls, haddock wraps, cod burgers, and platters. Yum.
Or grab a traditional plate of salty, vinegary, utterly delicious fish & chips in Surf & Turf.
Browse the local antique shops, galleries, and boutique stores on Dornoch’s charming high street. After, head to Milk & Honey for coffee and sweet treats.
Stunning Dornoch Cathedral rarely gets crowded, even in peak season; the stained glass windows are beautiful.
Take in a round of golf on an iconic links course. The first tee at Royal Dornoch is less than 100 yards from the Links House front door.
Book a whisky tasting in the atmospheric Dornoch Castle Whisky Bar.
For dinner, head to MARA. Tucked away inside Links House, expect perfectly made seafood alongside local produce, in a beautiful setting. After dinner, relax with an expertly made cocktail or dram in the cosy lounge.
Continue your journey north on the iconic NC500 road trip; castles, distilleries, and wild coastal landscapes await.