Thrumster House B&B, Caithness (Scotland)

Thrumster House is an elegant Victorian laird's house set in about 20 acres of woodland with two rooms available.

Summary 19th century buildings Breakfast included Free car parking (on site) No smoking Food and Drinks Continental breakfast (included) English breakfast (included) Dinner available (at additional cost)

Nearby recreations Recommended walks Pub (a short drive) Museums (a short drive) Gardens Golf course (a short drive) Tennis courts (a short drive) Recommended restaurants (a short drive)

Introduction

Thrumster is an old family run estate of about 10,000 acres, about 6,000 of which is moorland, and the rest arable crofting ground. The moors are flat, rolling expanses of flow ground, renowned for the diversity of its wildlife, and some of the best ground in the country for falconry and walked up shooting with pointers or setters.

Thrumster is situated in the County of Caithness, the sea-girt 'Land Beyond the Highlands' and is renowned for its rich diversity in its landscape and wildlife. Thrumster Estates can offer you a variety of sports from fishing in some of the most inviting trout lochs in Caithness to roe stalking in the woodlands and moors.

There are two bedrooms which are used for Bed & Breakfast; one twin room with bathroom, and one double with en-suite shower. These are arranged around the gallery which surrounds the main hall.

History to the present day

Thrumster House is an elegant Victorian laird's house, set in about 20 acres of woodlands, at the heart of the estate. Throughout the 19th century, Thrumster was the home of the Innes family, whose crests adorn the upper walls of the vaulted hall. This most interesting and colourful family became dispersed all over the world, but their history is fully documented in the vast body of correspondence which is held in the the house. The main part of Thrumster house was built in 1790 by David Brodie of Hopeville, who was a tenant of Sir John Sinclair, a very powerful local magnate, noted for his improving works during this period. There was originally a much older structure on the same site and some of the foundation stones are still visible in the “secret passage” which runs under the hall. (This is not an exciting early feature but a tunnel which was constructed to enable early electricians to take cables under the house when it was first wired in the 1930’s).

In 1812, Sir John, feeling the want of money, sold a great many of his Caithness lands, and Thrumster was bought by James Innes, a tenant of Sir John at Keiss, a scion of a once powerful family in the County.

It was the current tenant, Islay MacLeod, parents who took it over in 1952, and it has been a much-loved home ever since. Her mother, Lady Jessamine Harmsworth died in 1994 and until that time the House was largely unused.

Food and Drinks

Breakfast times are flexible (by prior arrangement). Dinner can be provided. Extra charges apply.

Grounds and gardens

The shooting at Thrumster is very varied, being an area of very diverse habitats. The estate has 5,000 acres of grouse moor, and the rest is composed of mixed arable ground, in the small holdings known as crofts, and of rough pasture, marshes and waterside ground near our lochs, burns and ponds.

For fishing each loch has good stocks of wild brown trout, each producing fish of good quality.  Thrumster has some of the most best trout waters in Caithness.

The farm and gardens provide a ready supply of fresh quality food, to supplement game from the estate and a wide range of delicious fish and shellfish from the neighbouring port of Wick.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Thrumster House, Caithness, Scotland, KW1 5TX, United Kingdom

Address: Thrumster Estates, Thrumster, Caithness KW1 5TX

Check In: 10.00am Check Out: 2.00pm (These times are flexible)

Directions: From Inverness: Follow A82 and at Longman Roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A9 (signposted Wick). Cross Kessock Bridge A9. At roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A9 (signposted Thurso). Cross Cromarty Firth A9. At Ardullie roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A9 (signposted Thurso, Wick A99). At Nigg Roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A9 (signposted Thurso, Wick A99). At Meikle Ferry Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A9 (signposted Thurso, Wick). Dornoch Firth Bridge A9. At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A9. Bear right onto the A99.

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