Dornoch Station / Dornoch / Highland / Scotland / UK
There is something so appealing with old hotels where the heritage is visible throughout. Where the facade shows years of repeatedly being challenged by the elements, where staircases have been walked so many times that the every step is uneven in the center, where most people have been putting their feet. What makes me so happy to see is when these old hotels are given some TLC and as a consequence, the age is highlighted rather than trying to hide it. I have seen too many sad examples of poor attempts to make an old hotel look and feel modern. Luckily Dornoch Station is one of those successful examples.
Dornoch Station was built as a purpose built hotel for Highland Rail, in 1904, to serve the newly established Dornoch Light Railway. Back then the railway brought wealthy golfers and tourists to the Scottish Highlands. And golfers has been the central focus here since the get go. Fact is that this is one of the oldest documented golfing sites in the world.
In 2023 this 89-key hotel got a full makeover, and was reopened as Dornoch Station, which is a lovely nod to the historic past. The interior is all about grand staircases, beautiful wainscoting panels and tartan-patterned fitted carpets and wallpaper. Our room was filled with colors and patterns with plush furniture, different kind of textiles and textures. A rich maximalist look that is very appealing.
Even if golfing is not your favorite activity (it is not mine!), there is still worth coming here. Dornoch is a cute village with a main street lined with some small shops and cafés. And if you venture a little further, Dundee is well worth a visit when in the area. If nature is your vibe, the Scottish Highlands has endless beautiful scenery to experience.
Welcome to Dornoch Station!
This view is what greats you as you step through the entrance. I love these kind of grand staircases. The reception is placed in the corner, just behind the opulent centerpiece.
Makes me so happy to see this mix of colors and heavy pieces of furniture.
The golfing past is visible all throughout the hotel.
Checked in and ready to head up to our room.
M is looking for our room. The tartan fitted carpet is a lovely nod to the Scottish heritage.
Our room was designed with a rich amount of patterns, textures and colors.
I have never seen a golf lamp before.
A standard feature in most Scottish hotel rooms.
There is a really good gym at the hotel with fitting wallpaper (although unusual for any gym I’ve ever seen).
My favorite space in the hotel is the bar. Love everything, the floor, the wood panels, the tartan wall paper and the stools.
Can’t imagine a better welcome drink than a chilled pint of cider.
Tartan overload
One thing I love when staying at hotels, is when there is a coffee set up in the morning for all of us early birds.
The view from the hotel over the Dornoch Firth towards the sea.
There are bikes to borrow at the hotel if you wanna explore the area from the saddle.
We went to nearby Dundee (not by bike) and found a great café called Kalì.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are a golfer and you like a bit of grandeur in your life. If old hotels with a rich heritage and the right amount of opulence is your thing, you will enjoy every minute of your stay at Dornoch Station.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the feeling of days gone by. This is a hotel with history. Like an elderly, posh lady who has been around since forever and might have seen her best days but she still manages to keep up a polished front.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to swing by nearby Dundee. I didn’t know much about the town from before and was therefore pleasantly surprised with the charming central part of town. And to our great joy, we found some really good coffee at a café called Kalì.
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Castle Leslie / Monaghan, Glaslough, Ireland
Indigo / Venezia, Italy
The Dylan / Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rothay Manor / Ambleside, Cumbria, England
