Are you planning to travel through Lairg? Or do you want to stay in Lairg? In both cases, it's good to know recommendations for where to stay. And we're here to help. Today, we're going to fully review the Lairg Hotel.
- Is it a good value for money?
- Does it have comfy beds?
- How is the restaurant?
And many more questions will be answered.
First of all, why is it interesting to stay in Lairg? Lairg is known to be the gateway or the crossroads of the Highlands. You can find it at the top (north) of Scotland. And as you probably know: the further north you go, the more rugged nature gets.
Located on the shores of Loch Shin, Lairg is a small town that shines with beautiful scenery. You truly feel like you're in the highlands as there are snow-capped mountains, and lush green hills and Lairg is also close to the true wilderness of ''Sutherland''. In case you didn't know, Sutherland is a historic county, lieutenancy area, and registration county in the Highlands. And Loch Shin is the largest loch in Sutherland that runs from the northwest to the southeast, that's 17 miles long.
Within Lairg, you'll not only feel and be in the Highlands, but you'll also get the perfect base to explore the rest of the area. Besides, if you always wanted to visit Inverness, it's only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from there by car.
About Lairg Hotel
Lairg Hotel is a typical family hotel within the lovely village of Lairg. So if you can appreciate these kinds of smaller hotels, then there's a high chance you will like this family hotel. The hotel is still in the hands of the family. And they want to make sure you'll get the best experience during your stay.
What makes the hotel already worth considering, is its ideal location. You will get there just off the NC500 or when you get off the bus as it’s close to bus services. Lairg Hotel functions as a base in central Sutherland. Therefore, all the great spots within the Highlands are easily reachable. Only a 5-minute walk away from the hotel, you’ll find yourself at the shores of Loch Shin. Besides, Lairg Hotel is close to local amenities, interesting historic sites, and wildlife.
The hotel doesn’t exist for long as it was established in April 1996. Originally, Lairg Hotel was a pub with 5 rooms called The Nip Inn. Over the last 20 years, they have grown into a ten-bedroom hotel with a bistro and two bars.
Lairg Hotel also has helpful facilities for travellers, such as:
- A clothes-drying area
- An overnight bicycle storage
- Rear parking for motorcycles
- A rod and gun storage
- A freezer for fish
Good to know that well-behaved pets are welcome! So if you want to bring your four-legged friend, you have to make sure you choose a room where your dog is allowed. Also, they're welcome in the bar areas outside of food service hours. Just make sure you keep them on a lead. Dogs are not allowed in the bistro.
The restaurant of Lairg Hotel
When you decide to stay at Lairg Hotel, you will be amazed by the food. If this is because the hotel is ruined by the family, we don't know. But what we do know, is that they truly care about your experience – also when it comes to food. The food is perfectly prepared, the staff is friendly and helpful, and it tastes good. Even if you go for the healthy stuff. Taste all comes down to how food is prepared, not necessarily to what you eat.
Besides, it’s not an expensive restaurant. The food is reasonably priced and you will get a good portion. They also use local produce which also plays a role in how delicious it is. Think about Scotch beef and lamb, fresh fish, and fine cheeses. And because the dinner menu is inexpensive, it’s always tempting to try different meals.
Do you want a full Scottish breakfast experience? That's possible. As an overnight guest, you can get a full-cooked Scottish breakfast (or a continental breakfast). If you're a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements, it would be helpful if you mention this to the hotel before you have your meal. Then, they will try to do their best to give you a great dining experience.
Bistro, bar, and special occasions
Besides the restaurant, this family hotel has more to offer. Yes, it once started as a pub with a few rooms, but it still has a pub: the Nip Inn Bar. It's 'The Pub' in Lairg where you have the chance to meet locals, make new friends, or encounter acquaintances. You can also stay here with friends or your family members of course – as long as these are adults. There's a nice atmosphere and a large TV screen that shows Sky & BT Sports. Besides, there's a fine selection of alcoholic beverages. Think about Scottish whisky, malts, and gins.
Lairg Hotel also has a ‘Thistle Bistro’ and a ‘Thistle Lounge Bar’.
The lounge bar is great to be in when you want to relax with a nice cup of tea or a cup of freshly ground coffee. You can get these all day in the lounge. Besides, you can also get bar snacks and meals in the lounge bar during lunchtime or in the evening. They also have a children's menu which is served between 12.00-2.30 pm, and 6.00-7.15 pm. You can get a highchair, too.
The bistro is not opened the whole year round. From May to October, the bistro is available for booking. Their bistro is an extra option if you'd like to book a large dinner party. During the months that the bistro is closed, you can get the same great food in the lounge bar.
The rooms of Lairg Hotel
What about the rooms at the Lairg Hotel? I can tell you that the rooms are well-maintained, clean, and comfortable. Also, even though the hotel has a pub, bistro, and lounge bar, the noise is not a problem for most guests. The kitchen sounds will stop around 9.30 pm and the other noise also depends on the number of guests, your neighbours, and of course your room. It won’t be pitch black in the rooms (but this is usually the case with a lot of hotels).
Anyways, the rooms are cosy and spacious or small, depending on which room you choose. All 10 rooms are different. What they all have in common are these things:
- An en-suite shower and toilet
- A flat-screen TV (with DVD player)
- A hairdryer
- A hospitality tray
- Wi-Fi
These are the types of rooms at Lairg Hotel:
Single room en-suite
The single room is the cheapest room with a single bed. So if you’re planning to explore the Highlands or Lairg on your own, or you just want a room for yourself, well then this is probably the best pick.
Costs are £63.00 per night when you book online. Prices may vary, so check out their booking site for the exact prices.
Twin or double room
The twin room is your choice when you want to stay with 2 people in separate beds. If you would like a double room, then go for the double room.
Costs start from £105.00 per night for both rooms when you book online. Prices may vary, so check out their booking site for the exact prices.
Family room en-suite
Are you planning to stay with a family? Or do you simply want a larger room? The family room has a double bed and a single bed. If you want, they can also provide a travel cot. And even if you don't have kids with you, you could still go for this room for some extra space. This is because the room can also be used as a double or twin room.
Costs start from £115.00 per night when you book online. Prices may vary, so check out their booking site for the exact prices.
Conclusion: Is Lairg Hotel worth a stay?
We have stayed at so many hotels, and we can tell the rooms in Lairg Hotel aren’t overpriced. They are also nothing special, especially the small(er) rooms. Still, each room is unique and the rooms are tidy and clean. The atmosphere is brilliant: the smaller family hotel aspect is nice, and it feels relaxing and warm. Besides, you’ll truly feel like you can mingle with the people within Lairg or the Highlands. The food is excellent and not overpriced either. The biggest reason you should go for Lairg Hotel (in our opinion) is because of its ideal location to explore the Far Northern Highlands of Scotland.
After our Lairg Hotel review
Now that you know everything there is to know about Lairg Hotel, you probably want more Scotland inspiration. Take a look at the following articles:
