Burnside Cottage

Green Tourism GOLD Eco-friendly bed & breakfast on the far north coast. Stylish & tranquil with an alcohol licence and an extensive evening menu via room service.

Burnside Cottage B&B is located just 800m off the North Coast 500 (NC500), 10 minutes from John O'Groats & close to the Gills Bay ferry. Situated in open countryside with views out over the Pentland Firth towards the isle of Stroma and Orkney beyond. It is surrounded by the huge everchanging Caithness skies.

Developed from a former croft house, Burnside Cottage B&B is now a large single storey property. The guest wing has a separate entrance straight from the carpark and offers two spacious suites  on the ground floor. The Raven Room is a twin en-suite. The Grey Suite, a double en-suite with king-size bed, has an attached room with bunkbeds. This turns it from a romantic couple's space to a family suite. Children over 3 years of age are welcome.  
Both rooms feature art nouveau inspired bespoke carved wall panels, dining areas, silent fridges, TV, hospitality tray and comfy seating. Each en-suite bathroom has a walk in shower and eco friendly vegan toiletries.   
Your host Stephen is a photographer and woodcarver whose inspiration comes from the nature, wildlife & scenery in Caithness and you can see many of his creations in the accommodation.  
The property offers a garage and drying room for motorbikes and cycles, along with storage for sports equipment. Dogs are welcome.

Burnside Cottage B&B offers an extensive breakfast menu, optional evening menu and alcohol licence all via room service. The menus showcase local produce with higher welfare/organic meat direct from local farms and award-winning smoked fish. Over half the dishes are plant based. The breakfast menu includes full cooked options, pancakes, waffles, porridge, omelettes, as well as hummous or nut butter toasts with a range of toppings.   
Evening meals include local beef and fish, as well as a variety of pasta and rice dishes, vegan Buddha Bowls or lighter bites such as jacket potatoes, soup and omelettes. Homemade desserts are the perfect way to end your meal. Most of the drinks menu featuring whisky, gin, rum, vodka comes from local distilleries and breweries which are within 35 miles. Wines, cocktails, soft drinks, liqueurs and hot toddys are also available.

Discounts available on stays of 2 nights or more (April - September).  
3 Night Winter Escape with a 2-course meal on first night and a complementary bottle of house wine on another night (when a 2 course meal for two is purchased). Valid on stays between 1st October 2024 and 31st March 2025. £70 - £75 per person per night (based on two sharing) including full breakfast.  
Special occasion packages with bottle of sparkling wine and handmade chocolates also available.  
See Burnside Cottage website for full details, terms and conditions.

Burnside Cottage is ideally situated for exploring the north coast of Caithness and Sutherland, and for trips over to Orkney as the Gills Bay car ferry is just at the end of the lane. Dunnet Head, John O'Groats and Duncansby Stacks are all within a 5-15 minute drive. The coastline is ideal for wildlife spotting and you may be able to see puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, curlews, seals and orca.   
Historic places to visit in the area include The Castle & Gardens of Mey, the ruins of Sinclair Girnigoe Castle and archaeological sites such as the Iron Age Nybster Broch.   
Numerous distilleries and independent breweries are all within in a short drive including Wolfburn, Old Pulteney, 8 Door, Dunnet Distillery, North Point, Ice & Fire, John O'Groats Brewery. 

Nearest towns: Wick 17.6 miles / Thurso 14.7 miles

Please note, as the B&B has a licence to sell alcohol under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, it is therefore exempt from requiring a Short-Term Let licence.