We are lucky to have some fantastic local produce available in the area. On arrival the cupboards will be stocked with basic cooking ingredients (oil, herbs, flour, sugar, etc) and we include a complimentary welcome basket with local speciality foods. For shopping there is a well supplied Co-op, bakery and an ice cream shop in Brora and a small Spar in Helmsdale. Golspie has a good butcher and good fishmonger. Larger supermarkets are available in Tain, Wick, Thurso, Invergordon and Inverness.
dining out - Both Brora (10 minutes drive) and Helmsdale (10 minutes drive) offer a variety of places to dine out in the evening, from fish and chips to fine dining. We are happy to help with advice and making reservations and if you are cycling or plan to enjoy a drink with your meal we can help you to arrange transport. Please contact the restaurants in advance to make a booking as physical distancing will mean reduced availability to sit in.
La Mirage, Helmsdale, 01431 821 615 - great fish and chips (and a good seafood platter - needs 48 hours notice)
The Bannockburn Inn, Helmsdale, 01431 821 461 - Mey Selections steaks and regional beer
The Belgrave Arms, Helmsdale, 01431 821 242 - pub food and regional beer
Thyme and Plaice, Helmsdale, 01431 821 598 - local bistro, lunchtimes and Friday & Saturday evenings.
C Food & Eat, Helmsdale, 07921 211725 - seafood truck at the harbour, sourced from their own boat. Times vary but generally Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon/ early evening.
Timespan River Cafe, Helmsdale, 01431 821 327 - good cafe in the museum and art gallery. Occasional evenings.
Sid's Spice, Brora, 01408 621 467 - our favourite Indian / Bangladeshi food. Runner up in The Herald's 'Scotland's Best Indian Restaurants 2019'.
Royal Marine Hotel, Brora, 01408 621 252 - good restaurant or cosy bistro
Sutherland Inn, Brora, 01408 621 209 - good pub food (great homemade burgers), regional beer and cider
Cocoa Skye, Brora. 01408 621954 - chocolatier, also hot chocolate, waffles, cakes and snacks. Closed evenings.
Braid's Bistro at Brora Golf Club. 01408 621417. Sunday - Thursday 1100 - 1600, Friday and Saturday 1100 - 1800
A little further afield some of our favourite places to eat are:
Luigi, Dornoch (30 minutes drive south), 01862 810 893, lovely cafe/ restaurant emphasising locally sourced food and seafood. Lunchtimes, plus evenings in the summer months
Dornoch Castle Hotel – well stocked whisky bar, bar food and restaurant. 01862 810216
The Pier, Lairg (40 minutes drive south / inland), 01549 402 971, great cafe/ restaurant cooking with the North of Scotland's larder. Lunchtimes and Friday & Saturday evenings
Greens, Tain (40 minutes drive south), 01862 893874, lively cafe/ restaurant with a good range of dishes. Lunchtimes, Wednesday - Saturday evenings, closed Sundays
provenance - We are blessed with some truly wonderful produce in the North Highlands. You are welcome to help yourself to any of the fruit, herbs and vegetables from our garden that are ready to harvest during your stay. Some of our local suppliers are listed below:
Local honey producers (Ballinreach, Brora, Halkirk and Dornoch)
Robert Grant butcher, Golspie
AG Campbell fishmonger, Golspie
Cockburn & Son, Dingwall
Inverness Coffee Roasting Company
Highland Fine Cheese, Tain
Great Glen Charcuterie, Roy Bridge
