Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage - Stay next to a Lighthouse and explore the far North of Scotland

A peaceful retreat and a base for exploring

Need a relaxing break and a refuge from city life? Or family adventures with the kids? Or somewhere unique for a big birthday? The Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage is a light and cosy hideaway, set on a headland with sea on three sides – you can even see a ruined castle out of the kitchen window!

Sustainability and inclusion were first on our minds when we furnished the Cottage, and we are proud of our Gold award for Green Tourism.

Everything you need for a home-from-home

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms, and dogs are welcome too.

• Our wifi runs between 7Mb to 20Mb – so it’s fine for Zoom calls or streaming movies to our Smart TV*.
• Our family / dining room has a big table perfect for eating together, playing board games, or sorting through photos on your laptop.
• The living room has comfy seating for everyone and a selection of family-favourite DVDs.
• Our well-equipped kitchen is designed for creating family meals.
• The bathroom has recently been refitted with a large shower.
• Breaks are from three nights up to 28 days, at any time of year.
• Or phone to book a two night off-season pitstop for two people for £200.

*We are very rural, so wifi is not guaranteed but so far it’s always been fine.

What our guests say about us

“The cottage is superb! Light and airy yet still incredibly cosy”

“We hiked around the coast line and then came home to a warm cottage”

“Saw lots of wildlife and lighthouses!”

“Our boys loved every minute”

“Plenty of space for everyone to relax”

“Superbly furnished and equipped (especially love the selection of books, etc)”

Comings and goings at Noss Head

We live on site (along with our cat and our Newfoundland dog) so if you have any questions, we can help you straight away.

Noss Head is a working lighthouse, but we do not have the keys so we cannot show you round. Contractors sometimes come up to do maintenance work.

And remember, everyone loves a lighthouse! In good weather, walkers may come up to the compound. We always ask them to keep their dogs on leads.

Caithness is one of Scotland’s hidden gems

If you want to get out and explore the North Coast 500 instead of just whizzing through, you’ll love this little-known corner of Scotland. We have ruined castles, glorious beaches and mysterious iron-age brochs and barrows. Visit the Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey, now a favourite home of the King. Or take a tasting tour at one of our distilleries.

Days out and adventures

Try a day trip to Orkney, or a boat trip to see seals, orcas and visiting puffins. Families with young children love the fairy glen at Latheron and going to the petting farms. Older children often enjoy taster sessions for surfing or body boarding.

Our green credentials

We have a Gold Award for Green tourism. Our bedding and towels are made of organic cotton, and our dog-throws are too! We use eco-cleaning materials. We buy Highland treats from local businesses, and our pictures – and even our cushions and lampshades – are by local artists. We don’t have an EV charge point, but can help out with charging in an emergency.

Accessibility and neurodiversity

The cottage is on one floor with an extra large shower and shower-stool available, please note the porch has two low steps and there is a choice between steps or a sloping grass path to the cottage. We have open shelves in the kitchen, and the appliances are the quietest we could find. We have black-out blinds in the living room and two of the bedrooms.

Inclusion

We want to share this wonderful space with everyone; we are LGBT+ friendly and welcome non-conventional families. We are a great place to visit if you home-school your children. Unfortunately we only speak English, but we’re happy to use Google Translate.

Dietary preferences

There’s a choice of welcome baskets:
select Vegan / Dairy-Free / Gluten-Free / Nut-Free options when you book.

Getting here

Punch KW1 4QT into your sat nav, and drive until you are up by the Lighthouse! As you will see – we are a LONG way North – about two and a half hours’ drive from Inverness.

You can fly to Inverness from many UK airports, or take the train to Inverness or Wick and hire a car. We are on the Eastern leg of the North Coast 500, and a perfect stop-off for a trip to Orkney.

Memberships and Awards

We are proud of our awards and memberships

• 2023: Scottish Tourist Board confirm our Four Star standard for Self-Catering accommodation
• 2023: Gold Award for Green Tourism
• 2023: Scotland’s Route 66 Awards: Short-listed – Self-catering Accommodation
• 2023: Resorts & Retreats Award: Best Rural Lighthouse Getaway 2023 – Scottish Highlands
• 2022: Scotland’s Route 66 Awards: Winner – Self-catering Accommodation
• 2022: 9.9 Traveller Review Award from Booking.com
• 2021: 9.8 Traveller Review Award from Booking.com
• 2020: 9.7 Traveller Review Award from Booking.com
• 2019: Highland and Island Tourism Awards: Runner Up – Self Catering Accommodation
• 2018: Silver Award for Green Tourism

Memberships

• Green Tourism
• Visit Scotland
• Association of Scottish Self Caterers
• Professional Association of Self Caterers – UK
• Caithness Chamber of Commerce

Prices and availability

Book family breaks online from £450 for three nights to £1200 for a week.

You can arrive and leave on any day of the week subject to availability, and we are open all year round.

Phone Ben on 07771702089 to ask about booking a two-night pitstop for two people for £200.