Links House at Royal Dornoch
Hotel · Highland
Golf Rd, Dornoch IV25 3LW, United Kingdom
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Highlights
Luxurious country hotel near Royal Dornoch, fine dining, golf
Luxurious country hotel near Royal Dornoch, fine dining, golf
"A luxurious retreat for golf enthusiasts, located in Dornoch with a focus on refined Scottish hospitality." - The MICHELIN Guide
"A 15-room sandstone hotel near the sea, with a briny quality and amenities including a dedicated butler’s pantry and an open fire." - Aaron Hicklin
"Links House, in Dornoch, an hour north of Inverness, is set around a 19th-century manse, a five-star hotel with 15 elegant rooms decked out in tasteful tweeds, as well as a highly rated gastronomic restaurant and wine cellar. The rooms are split between three adjoining Sutherland sandstone buildings, with five bedrooms in the original 1840s manse and 10 more in the new buildings either side. There are hip and cool antler-base benches and colorful William Morris-style curtains, as well as paintings of Highland cows and kilted mountain men adorning the walls. Even better, Links House is just 50 feet from the first tee of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, which regularly features in guides to the world’s best links courses. If golf doesn’t rock your boat don’t worry—there are countless walks and drives to be had, as well as tours of Dunrobin Castle and, of course, whisky tastings in the library or lounge. Add to that Dornoch’s Blue Flag beach just 10 minute's walk away, and you’ve pretty much got the lot."
"Dornoch, an hour to the north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, has a bit more going on than just golf, but the Links House at Royal Dornoch makes its priorities plain — the first tee of one of the world’s greatest links is a mere fifty feet from its door." - Mark Fedeli
"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
