The Old Mansion House
Scarfskerry,
Caithness,
Northern Scotland
An exceptional high-end Highland retreat featuring underfloor heating, a grand cathedral entrance, a wood-burning stove, and sweeping views across the sea to Orkney—just minutes from the Castle of Mey.
Located in the far north of Scotland in historic Caithness, this grand, purpose-built country cottage offers a luxurious self-catering experience on the Highland coast. Featuring high-end finishes, flexible family spaces, and sweeping vistas across the Pentland Firth, it provides an unforgettable base for exploring mainland Britain’s northernmost shores and the Orkney Islands.
Pentland Firth & Orkney Views: Admire sweeping sea views over the water directly from the library, drawing room, and upstairs master suite.
Uncompromising Luxury: Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, a hand-crafted curved staircase, a range cooker, and high-specification en-suite bedrooms.
Cozy & Sociable: Light-drenched drawing room with floor-to-ceiling glass, a wood-burning stove, and seamless French doors into the expansive chef’s kitchen.
Ideal North Coast Location: Minutes from the Castle of Mey (3 miles), Dunnet Bay’s sandy beach (4 miles), and Dunnet Head (5 miles).
The Interior
Designed with grand scale and meticulous detail, the cottage combines airy architectural spaces with cozy Highland warmth:
Ground Floor
Grand Cathedral Entrance & Library: Enter into a dramatic double-height hallway with a showcase curved staircase. To the side, the quiet library offers Orkney sea views, a Smart TV, board games, and jigsaws.
Light-Filled Drawing Room: Features dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden, comfortable sofas, a wood-burning stove, and a Smart TV.
Chef’s Kitchen & Dining Room: A high-spec, open-plan space with a premium range cooker, central island, and dining table—perfect for cooking group feasts and lingering over late-night wine.
Utility & Beach-Ready Facilities: Includes a practical boot room for gear, a laundry utility room, and a ground-floor shower room ideal for rinsing off after trips to Dunnet Bay.
Upper Floor
Master Bedroom Suite: Luxurious super-king bedroom with coastline views, a dedicated dressing area, double vanity en-suite, and an integrated full-size trundle bed (available on request).
Bedroom 2: Generous en-suite bedroom featuring a fun mezzanine play loft—a favorite hangout space for children.
Bedroom 3: Beautifully finished en-suite bedroom with plush linens and coastal views.
Exploring Caithness, Dunnet & The Far North
Situated along the iconic North Coast, the cottage is surrounded by royal history, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches:
Royal Heritage: Just 3 miles from the Castle of Mey, former home of the Queen Mother, where guests can tour the historic castle, walled gardens, and animal center.
Beaches & Wildlife: Explore the 2-mile golden sands of Dunnet Bay for surfing and coastal walks, or visit Dunnet Head (mainland Britain’s most northerly point) to spot puffins, seals, and dolphins.
John o’ Groats & Orkney: Take a short drive to John o’ Groats and the dramatic sea stacks at Duncansby Head (11.5 miles), or catch a day-trip ferry across to the historic Orkney Islands.
Key Property Features
Occupancy & Bedrooms: 3 Luxury En-Suite Bedrooms (Plus trundle bed and mezzanine nook)
Bathrooms: 3.5 Bathrooms (3 Upper en-suites + 1 ground-floor beach shower room)
Heating & Extras: Underfloor heating (ground floor), wood-burning stove, range cooker, Wi-Fi, Smart TVs
Outdoor Space: Expansive lawned garden, outdoor patio with furniture, charcoal BBQ (summer months), and private parking for up to 4 cars
