Dornoch Castle Hotel. Review

Dornoch Castle Hotel with Dornoch Cathedral in the background

Ever wanted to stay in a castle with a four poster bed and a blazing log fire? You can do this at Dornoch Castle Hotel. Check in to the Old Courtroom and you can light the fire, listen to it crackle and cosy up in a bed fit for a king. 

Old Courtroom at Dornoch Castle Hotel

This is a unique experience. It is rare to find a working fire in a hotel room and to be in charge of lighting it and stoking it with logs. I have been to hotels that have fireplaces in the lounges, but never in the rooms.

And what a room this is. Many people dream of living in a Scottish castle. It is something they would love to be able to experience on a trip to Scotland. Staying in the Old Courtroom makes that dream come true. There are several other castle hotels in Scotland, but I have not yet come across one that matches Dornoch Castle for the authentic feeling of the room.

​It is not just the four poster bed and the fireplace that make is special. There is wood panellng, exposed stone walls, and roof beams.

Roof beams in the Old Courtroom of Dornoch Castle Hotel

The window seats are my favourite feature in the room. There are two window recesses that have face-to-face stone seats, topped with cushions:

The bathroom features a jacuzzi bath

Thistle carving on the four poster bed in the Old Courtroom

Sitting by the fire in the Old Courtroom

Carving on the four poster bed in the Old Courtroom of Dornoch Castle Hotel

Dornoch Castle Hotel chocolate

There is an excellent restaurant at the castle. I had a spicy parsnip soup that was perfect on a cold day, followed by a fillet of sea bass. I loved that the bread served with the meal came with a wholegrain mustard and honey butter, instead of just your usual butter. That sort of attention to detail makes a place stand out.

The room also had some nice extras, like the complimentary sherry, the chocolates with the Dornoch Castle logo on the wrapper and the fluffy dressing gowns.

Old whisky bottles in a stone recess at Dornoch Castle Hotel

The Whisky Bar at the hotel is highly acclaimed and is currently number one Whisky Hotel of the year on www.whiskybase.com.

There is a log fire in the bar, so if you are not staying in the Old Courtroom you can still snuggle up with a single malt next to some crackling logs. ​

The Old Courtroom is the most expensive room at the hotel. As of 2016 it is £260 for bed and breakfast, but when you consider the uniqueness of this room and being able to stay in an authentic Scottish Castle this is worth a treat. It is unlikely that you would find such a special room like this in London for a similar price. 

The Tower Room is the same price and has a wood burning stove and a four poster bed with a carving of a squirrel running up one of the posts.

The other categories of rooms do not have stoves or fires. I have also stayed in one of the other rooms- the Terrace Room- which is lovely. It has a large, comfortable bed and views of the castle gardens.

It is worth signing-up to the hotel's newsletter as they email you with special offers and you might pick up a good deal, particularly during the low season.

Terrace Room at Dornoch Castle Hotel

Signs for the rooms at Dornoch Castle Hotel

Stonework in the corridor areas of Dornoch Castle Hotel

Guest lounge at Dornoch Castle Hotel

Dornoch Castle Hotel, seen from the gardens

Steps leading up to the terrace of Dornoch Castle Hotel

The terrace of Dornoch Castle Hotel

A stay in the Old Courtroom at Dornoch Castle Hotel has to be one of the most special places to stay in all of Scotland. Treat yourself to this unique experience.

The front of Dornoch Castle Hotel

When staying at the hotel:

Visit Dornoch beach
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Cycle the snowy mountain view road, from Dornoch to Golspie