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Altnaharra Hotel
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About
4.0
#1 of 1 hotels in AltnaharraLocation
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Originally a drover's inn, and with a history dating back to the late 17th Century, the Altnaharra Hotel has been attracting fishing enthusiasts from far and wide for over 190 years, earning itself a much-deserved reputation as a world class fishing destination.Retaining many of its period features reflecting its long history, the Altnaharra Hotel has been lovingly and meticulously restored to provide a getaway for fishing and shooting enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a relaxing and tranquil retreat.In addition, The Altnaharra offers two beautifully restored self-catering cottages, each with two bedrooms. We can also offer very affordable rooms in our log cabin, exclusively for LEJOG cyclists and Munro Baggers.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Internet
Free breakfast
Fishing
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Room features
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Mid-range
Location
A836, Altnaharra IV27 4UF Scotland
Getting there
Inverness Airport
53.1 mi•
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Car Hire
1 Restaurant
within 5 miles
285Reviews1Q+A48Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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Detailed Reviews
We spent two nights here in September. Our room (Hope) was big and comfortable and the communal areas of the hotel were also cosy, with lots of space to relax and have a drink, or just relax with a book. The food at the hotel was good with a good choice at breakfast and a decent dinner menu, and the staff were friendly and helpful and doing a good job in the current COVID environment. The hotel itself is in a peaceful, isolated spot, but well placed for the beautiful north-west coast. We would definitely recommend Altnaharra. For a room that was £199 a night, there were a couple of minor things: having a hairdryer in the room but the cord being too short for it to be used anywhere near a mirror, and there being window boxes full of dead flowers.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stopped by during a weekend of offgrid exploring in my T5 camper. Was in search of a drinking water topup, a fresh coffee at a real table and a quick soft drink chaser before continuing northwards. There’s not a lot of civilisation between Lairg and Tongue so the Altnaharra Hotel was a welcome sight. Even in the gloaming and through a fine Highland drizzle, the hotel looks welcoming amongst the pines and lawns.
After I explained to the rather startled host what I was after, he kindly reeled out the garden hose and let me put a few litres back into my small tank. As I opened the door to The Ghillie’s Bar I was bracing myself for faded tartan carpets and worn seat cushions in a dimly lit snug. Couldn’t have been more wrong. A fresh, light interior awaited, with rustic but well cared for tables and chairs in a cosy ambience.
I ordered my soft drink and coffee chaser and thoroughly enjoyed both. Some residents arrived and the banter and stories back and forth with the staff showed the bright side of Scottish hospitality. Starting to wish I was staying here rather than roughing it in the camper!
Alan suggested a couple of possible stopover locations on my next leg north. Again, nowt like local knowledge to help you on your way. Sadly all were occupied by better organised travellers than me but I eventually pitched up just outside Tongue with views to die for, so no complaints.
Thanks for a fine coffee and the best lime & lemonade north of Inverness 😎
[The author would like to point out that the hotel is not attempting to turn itself into a camping Aire or services stop … it was just appreciated that they could help out a solo traveller after hours, a long way from home!]
After I explained to the rather startled host what I was after, he kindly reeled out the garden hose and let me put a few litres back into my small tank. As I opened the door to The Ghillie’s Bar I was bracing myself for faded tartan carpets and worn seat cushions in a dimly lit snug. Couldn’t have been more wrong. A fresh, light interior awaited, with rustic but well cared for tables and chairs in a cosy ambience.
I ordered my soft drink and coffee chaser and thoroughly enjoyed both. Some residents arrived and the banter and stories back and forth with the staff showed the bright side of Scottish hospitality. Starting to wish I was staying here rather than roughing it in the camper!
Alan suggested a couple of possible stopover locations on my next leg north. Again, nowt like local knowledge to help you on your way. Sadly all were occupied by better organised travellers than me but I eventually pitched up just outside Tongue with views to die for, so no complaints.
Thanks for a fine coffee and the best lime & lemonade north of Inverness 😎
[The author would like to point out that the hotel is not attempting to turn itself into a camping Aire or services stop … it was just appreciated that they could help out a solo traveller after hours, a long way from home!]
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Altnaharra is not somewhere you go by accident, or because you want the kind of hospitality experience you would get in a modern city centre hotel. It's extremely remote and the village has few permanent residents, the school having closed a few years ago. But as a base for walkers and fisherfolk (we were there to climb the two Munros), it has a special charm. It is 25 years since I stayed in this hotel and I realised that its lack of modernisation (for example, it lacks matching cosmetic sets - see other review) is one reason I like it.
Our bedrooms were warm and comfortable and my bathroom was clean and functional, with a good shower.
Two positive things stood out:
1) The evening meals were really excellent. We worked through most of the main courses over 3 nights and the lamb, beef and filleted haddock were all very good, with substantial portions and tasty vegetable accompaniments. The desserts were great too, though we usually just had a starter and main. I don't know (we didn't ask) if there were vegan / veggie options.
2) We got a great welcome from Anya who presented a rare combination of kindness, efficiency (re. billing) and humour (about the slightly strange nature of the place). She is overworked and the Covid crisis has not been kind to places like Altnaharra but she is doing her very best in difficult circumstances.
Picnic lunches were priced by item which suited us, letting us add a sandwich to the fruit and snacks which we had brought with us without building up spare bottles of mineral water etc. Thermoses of soup were available and would have been welcome in colder conditions.
In summary, Altnaharra is in a slightly precarious position, generally and especially now because of the pandemic. It lies off the beaten track (the North Coast 500) but is within range of excellent day trips to the Far North.
I am glad such places exist. The good food was a pleasant surprise. It deserves to survive.
Our bedrooms were warm and comfortable and my bathroom was clean and functional, with a good shower.
Two positive things stood out:
1) The evening meals were really excellent. We worked through most of the main courses over 3 nights and the lamb, beef and filleted haddock were all very good, with substantial portions and tasty vegetable accompaniments. The desserts were great too, though we usually just had a starter and main. I don't know (we didn't ask) if there were vegan / veggie options.
2) We got a great welcome from Anya who presented a rare combination of kindness, efficiency (re. billing) and humour (about the slightly strange nature of the place). She is overworked and the Covid crisis has not been kind to places like Altnaharra but she is doing her very best in difficult circumstances.
Picnic lunches were priced by item which suited us, letting us add a sandwich to the fruit and snacks which we had brought with us without building up spare bottles of mineral water etc. Thermoses of soup were available and would have been welcome in colder conditions.
In summary, Altnaharra is in a slightly precarious position, generally and especially now because of the pandemic. It lies off the beaten track (the North Coast 500) but is within range of excellent day trips to the Far North.
I am glad such places exist. The good food was a pleasant surprise. It deserves to survive.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were aware this hotel was old but not prepared for the run down conditions. We chose our room before we arrived and were pleased with it When we first arrived. We wanted an open fire so chose the red room. But soon the negatives started to become obvious. The attached bathroom was absolutely freezing cold and had a small wall heater which didn’t make any difference. The bathroom was like a second hand shop with random bits of mismatched furniture dumped in it.
There were three very small plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. All were different and again mismatched, partly used and looked like they were taken from other hotels and bundled together. There was a hand held shower attached to the bath so it was a little awkward getting washed in the morning, especially as it was freezing cold too. The bathroom needs gutting and a makeover given to it.
The bedroom had a lovely big clean comfortable bed which we slept well in. Aspects of the bedroom definitely needed care and attention. The shutters only partly shut, the curtains were moth eaten and tired looking. The tv had no signal the entire time we were there and no access to Netflix and other channels that were part of the tv package.
We had dinner at Altnahara and had haddock and chips and chicken with cream cheese. The latter was tasteless and bland and I just couldn’t finish it. The fish and chips were child portion sized. There was a very limited menu choice and what they did serve was extremely overpriced. They definitely take advantage of the fact there isn’t anywhere else for you to go.
We had breakfast there too and the selection was poor. Tinned peaches in syrup were served as the fresh fruit breakfast accompaniment! The cooked breakfast was measly and overcooked. My single bacon slice was so over cooked that it shattered when I attempted to cut it!
The whole experience was very disappointing indeed. There was one member of staff who was lovely but run ragged trying to cover 5 jobs at once.
We were warned by other hoteliers in the area that this hotel just isn’t ready for modern travellers and they were right. We won’t be back and unfortunately we wouldn’t recommend this hotel.
There were three very small plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. All were different and again mismatched, partly used and looked like they were taken from other hotels and bundled together. There was a hand held shower attached to the bath so it was a little awkward getting washed in the morning, especially as it was freezing cold too. The bathroom needs gutting and a makeover given to it.
The bedroom had a lovely big clean comfortable bed which we slept well in. Aspects of the bedroom definitely needed care and attention. The shutters only partly shut, the curtains were moth eaten and tired looking. The tv had no signal the entire time we were there and no access to Netflix and other channels that were part of the tv package.
We had dinner at Altnahara and had haddock and chips and chicken with cream cheese. The latter was tasteless and bland and I just couldn’t finish it. The fish and chips were child portion sized. There was a very limited menu choice and what they did serve was extremely overpriced. They definitely take advantage of the fact there isn’t anywhere else for you to go.
We had breakfast there too and the selection was poor. Tinned peaches in syrup were served as the fresh fruit breakfast accompaniment! The cooked breakfast was measly and overcooked. My single bacon slice was so over cooked that it shattered when I attempted to cut it!
The whole experience was very disappointing indeed. There was one member of staff who was lovely but run ragged trying to cover 5 jobs at once.
We were warned by other hoteliers in the area that this hotel just isn’t ready for modern travellers and they were right. We won’t be back and unfortunately we wouldn’t recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was very poor value for the solo traveller; for £119 all I got was a pokey single bedded room with a barely functional tv, next to the kitchen extractor fan which only went off at 9.30pm and started again at 7.30am the next morning. Despite warning the hotel in advance that I was a vegetarian, there was no vegetarian breakfast and the cereal buffet was very poor, no fresh fruit or anything remotely healthy. I waited 15 in the breakfast room to be even asked if I wanted a drink and then had to pay £15 extra for a bit of cereal and an omelette. Really poor service and place, daylight robbery.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alan Berwick, Owner at Altnaharra Hotel
Responded 28 Aug 2022
Thank you for your review of your recent stay. I have to say your comments are always appreciated as we pride ourselves in offering a quality service however on this occasion your review isn’t entirely accurate. Firstly, I do recall you had dinner with a fish & chips the night before your troubled breakfast. This makes you a pescatarian rather than a vegetarian. Our breakfast offering is suitable for all with only sausage black pudding and bacon being unsuitable for those who don’t partake in the world of meat. You ordered items which were available off the menu, given tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs but rather you required them delivered in a different format, namely an omelette, to which the chef was more than obliging. As for the noise from the kitchen extraction, we are aware of the fact that this may cause some unharmony but equally it is not of excessive volume that it would hinder your sleep or ability to watch tv as it is a fairly consistent low key humming sound. Furthermore as a legal requirement, we cant alter the building structure but we can prevent incident of carbon monoxide poisoning in the interests of both our staff and customers. That sir is why it is there, and the chef is more than conscious of trying to keep its operation to a necessity. Finally as to value for money, I can’t understand the alarm to your room rate, having been presented with 2 rates during the booking process, one of which includes breakfast and one that doesn’t. Its clearly stated in your booking confirmation which rate you chose. Incidentally booking through a third party booking engine does in fact allow said booking engine to a 20% plus VAT commission and perhaps in future, better to dela direct with the hotel. Perhaps for the future you may not have to concern yourself with being a solo traveller if you could make a more enjoyable effort to get out of the right side of bed in the morning having been most indignant with our front of house staff.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband is riding Lands end to John o Groats on a push bike. Having ridden 21 miles from Lairg this morning we went in to get a coffee(morning tea and coffee advertised outside). It was nearly 1030 and the response was 'we're not open now'! No apology! Given that he was in cycle year he had to have cycled at least 17 miles to this remote location. Not impressed!
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Date of stay: August 2021
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alan Berwick, Owner at Altnaharra Hotel
Responded 25 Aug 2021
Hi Dancemum Thanks for taking the time to give your review of your experience at our hotel. I am not sure if you are aware of the recent pandemic and resulting staffing issues the hospitality industry has been facing as a result, with the added issues of Brexit and a furlough scheme on-going. We have been forced to a position whereby we have to focus our attentions on our pre-booked customers, whether it be for Accommodation, Dinners, Breakfast, Lunch and coffees. We do not have the resources nor the manpower to hang around in a day awaiting the possibility of your husband out on a bike run fancying a coffee when clearly stumbling upon us. You were greeted by myself and my response to you was that I am sorry but we are unable to open until 4pm. Should we have taken our outdoor signs down? replaced them ?( all at additional cost ) for what is, hopefully, a temporary situation, or perhaps, you as your husbands support team, should have been better prepared with refreshments from the homeliness of your car, as you clearly had not planned ahead when setting out into the unknown from Lairg. I'm not sure what you are most disgruntled by... the fact our sign mis-led you having stumbled upon us? or your lack of planning? offering you an excuse and a finger to point at a remote hotel, trying its hardest to overcome the pressures its undergone over the previous 18 months.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eight tired & hungry bikers arrived here earlier than scheduled and the staff here could not have been more welcoming . The four rooms were wonderful - clean , luxurious and the beds amazingly comfy too . Dinner was fabulous , plenty of it & well priced. The owner was so helpful , giving us some fantastic directions to alternative routes on the bikes , and we enjoyed bacon butties before we set off the next morning . Fabulous!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Booked at the last minute, the Altnaharra Hotel was a fantastic retreat - a charming building, run by Alan and Cami who were hospitable and helpful throughout our 2 night stay. The hotel is a period lodge, full of character and charm, while the dining area has been recently renovated and now has a fresh and modern feel that nevertheless stays in keeping with the main hotel. The food was superb - concentrating on fresh, local fare and was excellent value.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stopped whilst motorcycling across the Highlands. A very polite and professional lady showed us in to a traditional sitting room where we had coffee and cake. It was all very civil.
Perhaps needed more staff.
Would pop in again though.
Very traditional.
Perhaps needed more staff.
Would pop in again though.
Very traditional.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed three nights at the Altnaharra hotel on a fishing trip.
We were the only guests and it was a shocker.
The hotel’s website is clearly years out of date as it describes the place as a “luxury hotel”. It isn’t.
The sample restaurant menu on the website is a breach of the trade’s description act. There is no fresh food whatsoever and Henry the handyman/ person running the place day to day, for all his good points, isn’t a chef. We ended up travelling to Tongue half an hour away for dinner each night.
The fabric of the place is in disrepair, corners are being cut and it feels like it is going downhill fast.
To be fair my room was one of the better ones and was comfortable although sleeping soundly was a challenge owing to the draughty windows and accompanying noise. The bath ran hot water and the room was warm.
On Thursday evening the leasee of the hotel showed up and sat clicking away on his computer in the one sitting room of comfort which was irritating and made us feel uncomfortable. He should stick to his office.
Returning from fishing on Thursday we also were shocked to find dog mess in the corridors outside our rooms. The leasee/owner cleaned it up, huffing and puffing but without an explanation or apology!
Summary - this is not a luxury hotel and the food provided for us was poor; a travesty of what was shown on the hotel’s website.
We will not be staying again.
We were the only guests and it was a shocker.
The hotel’s website is clearly years out of date as it describes the place as a “luxury hotel”. It isn’t.
The sample restaurant menu on the website is a breach of the trade’s description act. There is no fresh food whatsoever and Henry the handyman/ person running the place day to day, for all his good points, isn’t a chef. We ended up travelling to Tongue half an hour away for dinner each night.
The fabric of the place is in disrepair, corners are being cut and it feels like it is going downhill fast.
To be fair my room was one of the better ones and was comfortable although sleeping soundly was a challenge owing to the draughty windows and accompanying noise. The bath ran hot water and the room was warm.
On Thursday evening the leasee of the hotel showed up and sat clicking away on his computer in the one sitting room of comfort which was irritating and made us feel uncomfortable. He should stick to his office.
Returning from fishing on Thursday we also were shocked to find dog mess in the corridors outside our rooms. The leasee/owner cleaned it up, huffing and puffing but without an explanation or apology!
Summary - this is not a luxury hotel and the food provided for us was poor; a travesty of what was shown on the hotel’s website.
We will not be staying again.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It appears to open 1st March 2019
"The road to the hotel was a long single track, with plenty of passing places, but it is very rural"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
£103 - £203 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandScottish HighlandsCaithness and SutherlandAltnaharra
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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Frequently Asked Questions about Altnaharra Hotel
What are some of the property amenities at Altnaharra Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Altnaharra Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is Altnaharra Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.1 miles away from the centre of Altnaharra.
Are pets allowed at Altnaharra Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Altnaharra Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Dun Dornaigil Broch (9.2 miles).