Links House, Dornoch, Highlands, Scotland - Explore & Book

"Todd Warnock had just played a round of golf at the Royal Dornoch when he spied a For Sale sign among a tangle of vegetation. He knocked on the door and so began the next chapter of this 19th-century sandstone manse's colourful history. What Dornoch needed, he surmised, was a hotel to match the calibre of its course. A few wrangles with Historic Scotland later, and his vision came true. The picturesque coastal town, once a royal burgh, and a handy pitstop on the NC500 roadtrip, now has a luxurious small hotel with outdoor activities on the menu, a gourmet restaurant – celebrating Scotland's legendary larder and seasoned with home-grown garden herbs – and its own bespoke tweed. The original Georgian house, its façade pristinely repointed, is now flanked by two new builds, The Mews and Glenshiel, which mirror its golden grandeur; across all three are 15 well-appointed rooms and suites. The whole place has the solid stateliness of a high-end American resort, but on a small scale and with character. Antique furniture was sourced from across Scotland, old books on country pursuits were carefully curated and stored in a pine-panelled library, and the artworks on the walls were hand-picked, with antique fishing rods displayed up the staircase. The famous Royal Dornoch golf course is right outside; a stunning beach is nearby. And outdoor pursuits of many forms offer the chance to immerse yourself in this ruggedly wild and beautiful corner of north-east Scotland. Highs One of Scotland's most spectacular sweeps of wild, dune-backed sand is a short stroll awayBorrow putters and balls from reception for the mini putting green between the manse and Mews, or swing around Royal Dornoch golf courseThe quality of the food in MARA is exceptional. And if you're hiking or biking, the chef will pack a picnic or packed lunch for you – salmon sarnies anyone?Decadent touches are everywhere including complimentary cocktails of hand-mixed mini bottles of Negroni in your supremely comfortable roomDon't miss the indulgent afternoon tea with champagne and oven-warm scones, gooey jam and clotted cream Lows The background music at dinner is a little dated If you like a lingering soak, rooms in the manse have no baths, just showersYou have to pad in your robe to the butler's pantry for your early morning caffeine fix if staying in the main houseSome might find this a slightly idealised Scottish hotel" - Lucy Gillmore