In our Suite Staycation column, Gina Jackson – hotel expert and author of British Boutique Hotels – tours some of the best hotel suites in the UK. Next up, Lundies House, Scottish Highlands.
Best for: A secluded stay in the Scottish Highlands.
Give us the lowdown
Scotland’s windswept north coast doesn’t often get a lot of love. The Highlands are endlessly vast, but it’s the south that most people venture to. At the start of the year, I embarked on an ambitious trek up north: ambitious given the somewhat treacherous journey from Inverness, which involved skidding along icy roads and driving through a blizzard to get there. Three hours later, we arrived in the middle of a snowstorm on the far-flung edges of Sutherland.
Our destination? Lundies House, a boutique guesthouse under the umbrella of WildLand, a collection of hotels and guesthouses spread across 13 estates in Scotland, and a total of 220,000 acres – all part of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen’s 200-year vision to rewild and regenerate land across Scotland (Povlsen is Scotland’s largest private landowner). Situated on the northernmost edge of the Scottish mainland, Lundies is an eight-bedroom bolthole housed within a former church manse dating back to the 19th century. As we were ushered inside and began defrosting by the fire, it quickly became apparent that the journey had been worth every bit of effort.
What’s in the suite?
There are four bedrooms in the main house, while several outbuildings have been transformed into a further four rooms, which can accommodate children and dogs. Interiors are thoughtfully reimagined in a chic, Scot-meets-Scandi style: think neutral palettes complemented by textured throws and bouclé armchairs, all while paying homage to the building’s period features.
We stayed in Isla, one of the more spacious rooms within the main house. Vintage furnishings have been carefully curated to sit alongside the room’s earthy palette of greys and blues; a delicate rice paper lantern dangles from the ceiling, and unspoilt views of the Kyle of Tongue can be spied from the window seat. The bathroom is something of a showstopper, with a freestanding bath placed in prime position and hand-painted murals by Claire Basler dancing across the walls. There’s a marble-draped shower spacious enough for two, and twin sinks generously stocked with WildSmith lotions.
How’s the crowd?Â
Most guests are couples: design enthusiasts who have travelled here for some good old-fashioned peace and quiet – many from as far as London. It’s common for most guests to make a road trip of it and stop off at various Highland hotspots along their route, including other properties within the WildLand portfolio.
Where can we eat and drink?
Gather in the mural-wrapped dining room at mealtimes, where a hyper-local farm-to-fork mentality dictates every dish. Breakfasts begin with homemade pastries and granola, followed by something warm and comforting whipped up by the chef – scrambled eggs and chorizo on pillowy brioche, or local sausages and fried eggs – usually informed by whatever fresh bounty has been sourced that morning.
Room rates are fully inclusive of all meals; lunches are packed for you to take out on your romps over the hills, and usually include a hefty sandwich and sweet bake. In the evenings, slip downstairs for cocktails before heading on into the dining room (everyone dines at the same time), where you’ll feast on candlelit three-course suppers: lamb shank that falls off the bone, roast chicken and potatoes, and seasonal fruit crumble – all served on ceramics by Scottish and Danish makers. There’s always something homemade and delicious laid out at teatime too, and the small-but-mighty Lundies team are always on hand to pour endless coffees, teas, and hot chocolates – and seem determined to ensure no one ever goes hungry.
Are there any stand-out touches worth mentioning?
There are two cosy sitting rooms for kicking back in, each kitted out with Scandinavian design touches: statement lamps, shaggy throws, and objets d’art. Panelled in soft neutrals of greys and beiges, the spaces are warm and light-filled: spend afternoons playing board games in front of the fire, peruse the bookshelves, or pour a dram from the honesty bar.
What’s on the to-do list?
The rugged Highlands stretch out in every direction from your doorstep, ripe for exploration (the hotel has e-bikes, which you can borrow for roaming). An easy hike up to nearby Castle Varrich – an abandoned ruin perched on a hill – rewards you with sweeping vistas over the Kyle. For something more challenging, there’s majestic Ben Hope, where the steep ascent will give way to panoramic views over the north coast – and you’ll even be able to spy the Orkney Islands from the summit. Or head to the coast, where vast stretches of untouched sand offer plenty of solitude, along with opportunities for surfing or paddleboarding. Return to the hotel in the afternoons: the grounds include a fresh spring made for bracing dips, as well as a tented sauna for steaming off.Â
What should we know before we go?
Travelling by car is somewhat essential, and will make exploring the local landscape far more straightforward. If you’re visiting in the depths of winter (as I did), you’ll want a sturdy four-wheeler for navigating the icy roads.
What should we pack?
There’s no formal dress code here, so lounge around in whatever feels most comfortable – but you may want to pack a wardrobe of pared-back neutrals to match the interiors; cashmere two-sets and Fair Isle knits will help you blend right in. Bring boots for walking and plenty of warm layers, whatever the weather. This is Scotland, after all.
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