Coastal Location
Situated in the Scottish Highlands, at the northernmost point of mainland Britain, overlooking the dramatic and rugged coastline around Dunnet Bay, close to the town of Thurso.
Highlands House in
Sleeps 18Or up to 21 using a double sofa bed and a day bed (day bed suitable for a child only) , Bedrooms: 9
A Scottish paradise for your clan gathering
This is the Scotland of forests and moors, of the wild Atlantic Ocean, of ancient clans and royal connections. It’s the Scotland of a fire in the grate, a malt whisky nightcap in the library, and tranquil bedrooms with stunning views. If you want a Highlands welcome for your family or friends get-together, it’s hard to think of a more perfect choice than Highlands House.
As you drive up the hill, feel the world drop away. Step inside to be embraced by beautiful interiors that combine tradition and comfort, where big fireplaces, carefully chosen furniture and local paintings invite you to linger. Get cosy in front of the drawing room log burner, chill out in the laid-back movie room, enjoy a game of table tennis, or work out in the gym, complete with Peloton.
On the wider estate, the sauna and ice barrels await you. Walk down to the beach on the estate, relax in the walled garden over a barbecue and, when the sun dips, stoke the fire pit. Stay up for the starlit skies and, fingers crossed, the Northern Lights.
Retire to gorgeous bedrooms with tapestry rugs on polished oak floors, huge beds, and luxury ensuite bathrooms. Choose the four-poster bed, the shower in a turret, or the slipper bath with a view. In one of these bedrooms, the Queen Mother stayed, before buying neighbouring Mey Castle.
There are many things you can enjoy on this beautiful edge of Scotland, from golf and watersports to shooting and fishing, along with more relaxing pursuits, such as walking, birdwatching and dolphin spotting. Highlands House is the perfect spot to gather your clan and escape from a busy world.
Selected by Gareth
Learn more about our handpicking processHouse features
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Restrictions
No fireworks
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Sleeps 18Or up to 21 using a double sofa bed and a day bed (day bed suitable for a child only) -
Bedrooms 9Scroll for a link to the full list of rooms in the property. -
Bathrooms 87 ensuite -
Dining Capacity 20See House FAQs below for further details.
Wifi
Open Fire
Child Friendly
Pet Friendly
Sauna
Near the Sea
Sea View
Beach Access
EV Charger
Why book with us
- Excellent Trustpilot rating
- Personalised Service
- Handpicked Properties
What we think
What to Expect
We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Highlands House just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a large group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.
- Welcome treats on arrival
- Egyptian cotton bed linen, bath towels and bathrobes
- Complimentary Bramley toiletries
- Well-equipped kitchen with large Rangemaster cooker, two fridges, two dishwashers, Nespresso coffee machine and more (separate catering kitchen available if using a private chef)
- Dining room table that seats up to 20 guests (separate kitchen table seats up to 10 guests)
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth sound system
- TV room with 75” Smart TV with streaming services, surround sound, DVD player and Nintendo Switch
- Library full of books
- Table tennis table in the boot room
- Children’s books and toys
- Selection of board games
- Karaoke machine (requires laptop)
- Upright piano in the hallway
- Log burner in the lounge (logs and kindling provided)
- Fully equipped gym (in separate building in the walled garden)
- Wood-fired sauna (seats 12) and whisky barrel cold plunges on the wider estate (pre-booking required)
- Outdoor seating
- Fire pit (logs provided)
- BBQ
- Croquet set
- Direct beach access
- Beach towels, parasol, beach blanket and snorkelling gear
- 7kw EV charging point (free of charge)
- Additional services and itinerary planning available (at extra cost)
House FAQs
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What are the check in and check out times?
Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
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How many cars can park at the property?
There is parking for up to 20 cars at the property.
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Are pets allowed?
Up to four well-behaved dogs are allowed at Highlands House, subject to a fee of £60 per dog (larger numbers of dogs are subject to approval from the owner). Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings.
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Are children welcome?
Children are very welcome at Highlands House. Two travel cots, two highchairs, two travel beds, a baby bath and baby stair gates are available on request (please bring your own cot linen). Children’s books, toys and tableware are also available. Please note, parents should supervise children at all times due to the proximity of the sea and there is a pond in the grounds.
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Are stag and hen parties allowed?
Respectful hen and stag parties are permitted (where the average age is over 25 years old). Please contact us before booking to discuss.
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Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?
Yes, you can order online with Tesco for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
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How many guests can sit at the dining table?
The dining room table can seat up to 20 guests. There is also a kitchen table that seats up to 10 guests.
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Can you recommend any local places to eat out?
Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within a short distance of the property:
Restaurants
The Grain Store Restaurant at Stannergill Distillery (10 minutes' drive)
Sinky's Grill, Lochend (20 minutes' drive)
The Galley, Scrabster (25 minutes' drive)
Pubs
Top Joes Sports Bar, Thurso (20 minute's drive)
For a taste of premium Scottish spirits:
Dunnet Bay Distillery (4 minutes' drive)
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What is the nearest train station?
The nearest train station is Thurso (10 miles).
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What is the nearest airport?
The nearest airport is Wick (20 miles), or further field are Inverness (123 miles) or Edinburgh (267 miles).
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Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?
Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,000 during your stay at Highlands House. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
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How do I book?
You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.
When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).
