Dundonnell

We stopped at the Dundonnell Hotel during our NC500 trip, and it became one of the most memorable places along the way. It’s family run, in a remote spot with the road right outside. In low season there’s hardly any traffic, so it’s wonderfully quiet. The hotel began as an old hunting lodge and was turned into a hotel in the 70s or 80s. Its character makes it feel like stepping back in time, in a good way. Our room was spacious, with a large bed and plenty of room to move around. We had lovely views of the mountains and sea loch, which gives the landscape a fjord-like feel. We were told the place gets busy in high season, but our low-season visit was peaceful and relaxing. Spring or autumn seems ideal for switching off with a book and coffee or a drink, since there’s simply no noise. The lobby has comfortable sofas for reading, and the bar has vintage decor and lots of character. We’ll remember sitting there with a drink and looking out at the mountains. We were travelling with our two children, aged 12 and 14 and quite tall, and were pleasantly surprised to get a room upgrade without asking. It was a thoughtful gesture. The manager was friendly and took time to chat, and his Spanish wife was just as welcoming. He told us the hotel closes over winter, when deer come down from the mountains in search of milder conditions. He also shared that goats in the area became feral around 100-200 years ago, and their descendants still use the old shepherd routes. In spring, you can sometimes see them coming down with their young, though we just missed them. He said he might be able to arrange a local guide if we wanted to go trekking, which says a lot about their connection to the area. It’s so remote that the Tesco delivery truck stops in the hotel car park a couple of times a week, and local people come there to collect groceries. If you need something specific the hotel doesn’t have, you may be able to arrange it in advance. This isn’t a luxury chain hotel like a Hilton, and that’s part of what makes the stay feel genuine and memorable. A fantastic NC500 stop if you value peace, character and warm hospitality. We’ll definitely come back.

The Great Wilderness area was a highlight of our Scotland trip. It feels like a little time warp, and the staff were friendly. We were very comfortable and had an excellent breakfast. The scenery all around is breathtaking.

This is a remarkable spot in the middle of nowhere, with lots of free parking across the road and good food options at reasonable prices. The staff were attentive and always smiling.

The food was poor, and for the price and location it needs a lot of improvement. The hotel feels dated and needs major investment. It closes over winter and takes advantage of NC 500 travellers in late spring and summer.