Lundies House

Lundies House is located on the north coast of Scotland in the Northern Highlands of Sutherland county and is about 2.5 hours from Inverness (the nearest airport). It can only be reached by car or motorbike – there are no trains up there in the north.
          The ride goes through the vast, deserted Highlands and even 10 minutes before your reach Lundies House you’re still in the middle of nowhere. Nevertheless, we do not recommend the direct route through the hinterland, but the North Coast 500 route along the west coast, because the Highlands are here again much more interesting and you pass countless beautiful beaches.
          Right on the coast, in the small village of Tongue, there’s Lundies House. It consists of an old manse from the 17th century and steadings. The main house is B-listed, which proves to the great regional importance of this house. The main building reveals the exciting concept behind Lundies House.

Tea and Scones in the Living Room

The house consists of four rooms with king-size bed and each with its own bathroom. On the ground floor there are two living rooms, a dining room and the kitchen, shared by all guests. The guests live there together, interact, talk and use the house as if it was their own. However, Lundies House gets the hotel character from the fact that two cooks prepare breakfast and dinner and in the afternoon provide fresh scones and cakes.

Lundies House combines classic Scottish architecture with modern Scandinavian interior. The rooms are characterized by typical Nordic furniture with clean lines and reserve. Nevertheless, they are not cold and purist, but very inviting and cozy. Design lovers will fall in love with all the Scandi design icons.

View on Kyle of Tongue and Castle Bharrich View on Kyle of Tongue and Castle Bharrich Claire Basler Wall Painting in “The Isla” Bathroom Claire Basler Wall Painting in “The Isla” Bathroom

Lundies also has a huge focus on art. In addition to all the paintings and artworks, the painted walls from the French artist Claire Basler stand out in particular. In the dining room and in the bathroom of the Isla-Room, she shows grasses and wild flowers in front of a moody gray sky that interacts beautifully with the nature in front of the window and the (real) flowers in the rooms.

Claire Basler Wall Painting in the Dining Room

The four rooms in the main building all have a name (Flora, Isla, Gwendolyn and Shona) and are very spacious. Each room has a freestanding bath tub – some directly in front of the window – large beds, products from Aesop and a view of the ocean or private garden. Flora, which is on the highest level, even has – beneath bedroom and bathroom – its own living room.

As Lundies House is hillside, you have a free, unobstructed view on the countryside or the sea from everywhere: the beautiful scenery of the Kyle of Tongue, the Ben Loyal and the ruins of Castle Varrich. From here you can make various walks or e-bike tours or simply drive off the North Coast 500 route with your car.

Scandinavia Design in traditional Scottish Architecture View on the Steadings next to the Main House

Next to the main house, there are steadings with three studios and a holiday apartment with its own kitchen. The design here is much more modern. Dogs are allowed here.
           In the middle of this farmstead there’s a large fireplace on which our dinner was prepared. We had dinner right next to it on a long open air board. Chef James Wilson’s food follows the concept of Lundies House and combines traditional British and Nordic cuisine. Our perfectly prepared beef came from the Queen’s butcher.

Dinner is prepared with Herbs and Vegetables from the Garden Dinner is prepared with Herbs and Vegetables from the Garden

Through the concept of eating together and sitting in the living room, we met very nice and interesting people and made great discussions.
           At the beginning, I wrote that Lundies House is like a mix of hotel and vacation rental. That’s not true, because you never feel like in a hotel at any time but rather, as if you were visiting the two hosts Marta and James. The relationship with the two is very personal, there is no stiff reception, the hosts are welcoming you at the door inviting you to come in – that makes the welcome very personal.

Lundies House is part of the WildLand Group, which has several properties in Scotland with this particular concept and design. The booking is a bit inconvenient, as you can’t see if any rooms are available. You have to send an booking request via e-mail. However, we believe that’s how they make sure that only people who understand and appreciate this special concept check in.

Through the concept of eating together and sitting in the living room, we met very nice and interesting people and made great discussions.
           At the beginning, I wrote that Lundies House is like a mix of hotel and vacation rental. That’s not true, because you never feel like in a hotel at any time but rather, as if you were visiting the two hosts Marta and James. The relationship with the two is very personal, there is no stiff reception, the hosts are welcoming you at the door inviting you to come in – that makes the welcome very personal.

Lundies House is part of the WildLand Group, which has several properties in Scotland with this particular concept and design. The booking is a bit inconvenient, as you can’t see if any rooms are available. You have to send an booking request via e-mail. However, we believe that’s how they make sure that only people who understand and appreciate this special concept check in.

LUNDIES HOUSE, TONGUE, LAIRG, SUTHERLAND, IV27 4XF SCOTLAND