Wind your way north through the spectacular landscapes of the far northern reaches of Scotland to Dunrobin Cottages on the Sutherland Estate. A popular stopping point on the North Coast 500 for a visit to the spectacular Dunrobin Castle, Golspie is also a great place from which explore this beautiful region in a lot more more depth. Let’s check in.
Stay at Dunrobin Cottages
The cottages at Dunrobin are centred around the highland village of Golspie, Dunrobin Castle and the lovely Loch Fleet. There are six cottages to choose from:
- Looking for romance? Stay at Porter’s Lodge – the gatehouse to Dunrobin Castle with your own access to the grounds.
- Instagrammer couples will love the insanely pretty Snowdrop and Bluebell Cottages in the heart of Golspie village.
- For a little more space book into Shepherd’s Cottage across the road from the castle at Dunrobin Farm which is both family & dog friendly with an enclosed garden with views of Ben Bhraggie.
- Down on the lovely Loch fleet is Customs House on the beach at Littleferry and sleeps four overlooking the water.
- For larger groups, the Old Granary which sleeps up to 10 – and has direct access to a lochside beach!
- You might also like the fabulous Birdwatchers Cabin, a luxury lodge on Loch Fleet.
We were recently invited to stay with Dunrobin Cottages – let’s take a peek behind the scenes of two of my favourite of the cottages – Shepherd’s Cottage and Porter’s Lodge.
> Book the Dunrobin Cottages
Shepherd’s Cottage, Dunrobin Cottages
Just across the road from Dunrobin Castle is Dunrobin Farm and the newly refurbished two-bed Shepherd’s Cottage. Great for little feet and muddy paws, Shepherd’s Cottage is both child and pup friendly.
Downstairs there is a full equipped dining-kitchen, family bathroom with bath, and a lounge with squishy sofas and a wood burning stove. Upstairs there are two cosy bedrooms under the eaves with super comfy beds (one double and one twin).
Outside you have your own full enclosed private garden with seating and views to Ben Bhraggie. For those who want to experience farm life, there are even rare breed sheep on your doorstep.
The cottage has been lovingly restored and is super high quality – and comes with lots of lovely extras including local goodies, fresh flowers, fluffy towels and good quality linens. There is private parking outside, wifi & smart TV and wood for the wood burning stove provided.
> Book Shepherds Cottage
The Porter’s Lodge at Dunrobin Castle
Fancy staying in your own miniature castle and indulging in some real Scottish history? Welcome to Porter’s Lodge at Dunrobin Castle. A hideaway for two, but just outside Golspie, this lovely luxury self catering rental is truly unique! Plus you get access to Dunrobin Castle – the entrance is even down the same drive!
All on one floor, Porter’s Lodge has a super stylish and relaxing interior complete with one double bedroom with views over the garden, an open plan living and kitchen area with wood burner, a modern and fully equipped kitchen and dining space, and the star of the show, a roll top bath in the lodge’s tower!
The cottage might be gorgeous, but it is its location on the edge of the castle grounds which is the star of the show. From your cottage you can explore the Dunrobin Castle estate and stroll down to the coastal path which takes you to Golspie and Brora. Across the road is the Big Burn, and the Golspie Inn is a 10 minute walk.
> Book Porter’s Lodge
Things to do at Dunrobin Cottages
The cottages at Dunrobin are perfectly located to explore Golspie and the surrounding area. Here are my favourite things to do at Golspie
Visit Dunrobin Castle – a gorgeous stately home just outside Golspie, Dunrobin Castle has lovely gardens – with the designs copied from Versailles and designed by Sir Charles Barry who was a popular architect, having designed the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament. The castle looks like it just fell out of a fairy tale!
Climb up the Big Burn to Ben Bhraggie – At Golspie make sure you visit the beautiful waterfalls at the Big Burn where the path weaves itself over the river. If you are feeling energetic there are mountain bike trails on Ben Bhraggie – or you could climb to the top for a view over the Moray Firth from the statue of the Duke of Sutherland who sits atop the hill – one of Scotland’s most controversial memorials.
Explore Loch Fleet – just fancy a stroll? Walk around Loch Fleet to Little Ferry and explore Balblair Woods. You might spot Ospreys and Crossbills in the trees. You can also walk through the woods and all the way along the coast to Dunrobin Castle.
Try the Sutherland whisky distilleries – Sutherland is home to three whisky distilleries. Glenmorangie is one of Scotland’s most famous brands, and there is a visitor centre just outside Tain. Other distilleries include Balblair Distillery, which has one of the oldest archive records of whisky in distilling, and the recently upgraded Clynelish Distillery who make most of the whisky for Johnnie Walker Gold and their own very nice 14 year old malt.
Visit the Flow Country – a very rare type of peatland, the Flow Country is the most extensive blanket bog system in the world. Made up of a series of 400,000 hectares of peat bogs and pools, the bog has been growing for more than 10,000 years. You can visit the RSPB Forsinard Flows Visitor Centre, and walk the Dubh-lochain trail (1 mile) to the Flows Lookout Tower, or the longer Forsinain trail (4 miles).
Drive the North Coast 500 – the cottages at Dunrobin are on the North Coast 500 route!
Read more: how to visit Sutherland and Caithness
Ready to check in? Choose your perfect cottage at Dunrobin Cottages
Love from Scotland x
The travel blogger and photographer behind Love from Scotland