Forss House Hotel

This elegant Georgian Hotel was built as a country home in 1810. Today, its setting is somewhat remarkable as it is perched on the side of the fast flowing River Foss, tucked in amongst ancient trees. Non residents will have to drive five miles from Thurso to eat dinner in these elegant surroundings, but it's well worth it.

Listed in the North Highland Larder – order a print copy (free + p&p).

This elegant white-washed Georgian hotel set in 20 acres of woodland and gardens was built as a country home for the Radclyffe family in 1810. Five miles from Thurso, it perches on the side of the fast-flowing River Forss, tucked in among ancient trees. The opulent dining room provides the setting for a dinner menu packed with names of local suppliers, promising lobster, crab and asparagus, or partridge and salmon, depending on the season, with local berries providing the basis for summer puddings and autumnal apples coming in to play in later months. Provenance is clearly important to the chefs here – and they’re even willing to cook salmon caught by keen fishers in the nearby river.