Gladstone Cottage Castletown

Gladstone Cottage is in Castletown, up on the north coast. It's a ground floor flat that's part of a stone cottage. You get your own bit of garden out the front, which is enclosed.

It's for two people. One bedroom, one bathroom. It's a 3 Star place, so it's clean and comfortable but not luxury. Because it's an old cottage, the ceilings are high and it's got the original wooden shutters, which are nice.

You're about 200 yards from the village pub, which does food. There's a shop there too. The harbour is a short walk, and the beach is just a bit further on. Dunnet Beach is massive, about four miles of sand. You can walk to it from the cottage through some woods.

Thurso is five miles away for bigger shops, cafes, and a cinema. The ferry to Orkney is about eight miles from here if you fancy a day trip. The Castle of Mey is nearby and worth a visit for the gardens. John O'Groats is 16 miles.

This is all on the North Coast 500 route. The area is good for walking, golf, fishing, and surfing. You often see deer around, and from the coast you can spot seabirds, sometimes even dolphins or whales. On a clear night, especially in winter, you might see the Northern Lights. Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the mainland, is only four miles away and a good spot for that.

What's here: there's a washing machine, TV, WiFi, and parking. Bedding and towels are included. The shower is a walk-in. We accept up to two dogs.

Useful links for planning: North Coast 500, NatureScot, and VisitScotland.