Crafting 100% organic beers from its own farm, this cult beerhouse offers a range of ales and lagers brewed without isinglass. Its quaintest overnight offering comes in the form of a handcrafted shepherd’s hut on the farm, providing a rustic retreat with views over organic fields.
This Greek Revival villa feels less like a hotel and more like staying at an artsy friend’s country estate that’s been beautifully restored, is brimming with communal spaces to lounge, and a wood-fired sauna hidden in the woodland.
Campbell’s of Beauly is a true Highland institution, weaving over a century’s worth of tailoring heritage with a modern appreciation for quality and Scottish style. Established in 1858, this family-run shop – originally known as the Highland Tweed House – has outfitted generations in classic Scottish country attire. Today, it offers a curated selection of ready-to-wear garments and bespoke tailoring services, including plus-fours, kilts, and sport coats, crafted on-site by skilled artisans. The shop's walls are lined with exclusive fabrics, many sourced from local mills, with a royal warrant from King Charles III to top it all off.
Burr’s of Tongue is a Scandi-coded revival of a historic general store in the remote Highland village of Tongue. It’s been sensitively restored by the Wildland team (with GRAS handiwork) as a lively community hub along the North Coast 500. At its heart sits Cereal Bakery and Bookshop, where fresh sourdough, pastries, and coffee can be found in a rustic, welcoming space that nods to the building’s 1930s heritage. It’s the perfect stop to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and soak up Highland community life.
Run by local skipper Sarah since 2004, EcoVentures offers exhilarating wildlife-watching trips aboard a custom-built RIB, Saorsa. Departing daily from Cromarty Harbour, these two-hour tours provide up-close encounters with bottlenose dolphins, seals, seabirds, and occasionally minke whales. With a maximum of 12 passengers, nature enthusiasts can enjoy a personal and informative experience, kitted out with waterproof gear and accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
This Victorian lodge is one of those places that just draws you in – a grand old house with Loch Ness views, cosy corners clad in William Morris wallpaper, and a mile-long hike away from the Falls of Foyers (hence the name).
Newhall Mains is a stylish rural retreat on the Black Isle, home to self-catering, dog-friendly cottages and countrified suites, with log burners and fully stocked kitchens to keep you going through the winter (and all seasons). Tuck into Scottish prime cuts and Cromarty seafood on the asado grill at the on-site restaurant, sip cocktails in the Japanese-inspired whisky bar, or take a scenic flight from the private airstrip (the young owner is also a fully-fledged pilot). For those venturing out, picnic hampers are available to pack for day trips.
Skinnet Beach is a wide curve of honey-hued sand under big skies and with even bigger views, looking out towards the Rabbit Islands and Eilean Nan Ron (Island of the Seals). You’ll more than often have the place entirely to yourself.
Wild Gorse Studio is a leafy, light-filled corner of the Highlands where Julia’s passion for floristry meets a love of wild, foraged botanicals. Peruse the shop for plants and homeware, pick up coffee and cakes from the kitchen, or join a hands-on floral workshop if you have a morning or afternoon to fill.
