Business Details
Eco-Friendly Bed & Breakfast in Caithness
Burnside Cottage is an eco-conscious bed and breakfast nestled in Caithness, Scotland's far north. Established with a commitment to sustainability, we hold the Green Tourism Gold Award and have transformed a former croft house into a stylish retreat. Our two spacious ground-floor suites and The Pig Shed self-catering studio offer comfort amid breathtaking coastal scenery. Every detail reflects our dedication to environmental responsibility, from eco-friendly amenities to locally sourced ingredients in our gourmet meals. As hosts, Kacey and Stephen combine hospitality expertise with deep regional knowledge, ensuring guests experience Caithness's hidden treasures.The property showcases Stephen's photography and woodcarving artistry, celebrating local landscapes and wildlife. Located between Dunnet Head and John O'Groats, we provide ideal accommodation for NC500 journeys and Orkney ferry travellers. Our room service dining, featuring meat, fish, and vegan options, allows guests to savour exceptional meals in private surroundings. With extensive guest facilities and a passion for conservation, we create memorable stays that align with Scotland's natural beauty.
Services
Bed and Breakfast
Self-Catering Studio
Evening Meals
Room Service
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Dog-Friendly Accommodation
Motorbike Storage
Drying Room
Local Drinks Service
Highlights and features
- We offer eco-friendly accommodation with Green Tourism Gold accreditation
- Our evening meals feature locally sourced ingredients and dietary options
- Located just minutes from the Gills Bay ferry to Orkney
- Dogs are welcome with proceeds donated to rescue organisations
- Spacious suites with bespoke woodcarving and photography
Associations and certifications
- Green Tourism Gold Award
What people say
Exceeded expectations
Super relaxing
Best of our trip
Gorgeous artwork
Excellent cooked breakfast
Services
Bed and Breakfast
Our premium bed and breakfast service offers spacious ground-floor suites with contemporary decor. Each room features comfortable seating, dining areas, and bespoke woodcarving details. Guests enjoy a comprehensive breakfast menu with vegetarian and gluten-free options. The accommodation includes eco-friendly amenities and locally sourced breakfast ingredients.
Evening Meals
Gourmet evening meals served in-room with diverse options including meat, fish, and vegan dishes. Menus feature locally sourced ingredients prepared to order. Dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice. Meals delivered via dedicated service trolley for guest convenience.
Self-Catering Studio
The Pig Shed self-catering studio provides independent accommodation for two guests. Fully equipped kitchenette with dining area, private bathroom, and scenic countryside views. Located adjacent to main guest wing with separate access. Includes complimentary Wi-Fi and parking.
Dog-Friendly Accommodation
Pet-friendly rooms available with dedicated cleaning protocols. Supplement charges support dog rescue organisations. Secure outdoor areas for pet exercise. Special amenities including homemade dog treats and water stations.
Local Drinks Service
Curated selection of local spirits, beers, and wines available for room service. Includes Orkney craft ales and Caithness gin. Delivered via service trolley with chilled storage options. Complements evening meal offerings for in-room dining experiences.
People
Kacey
Host & Manager
Kacey oversees Burnside Cottage's daily operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences. She prepares gourmet meals using local ingredients and shares regional knowledge with visitors. Passionate about sustainability, she manages eco-friendly practices and dog-friendly policies while maintaining the property's award-winning standards.
Stephen
Photographer & Woodcarver
Stephen contributes artistic elements through photography and woodcarving, showcasing Caithness landscapes. His work decorates guest areas and private suites. Combines creative expertise with hospitality management, enhancing the property's unique character through locally inspired artwork and bespoke interior features.
Questions
How do I book accommodation at Burnside Cottage?
Bookings can be made through our website or by phone. We recommend advance reservations, especially during peak seasons. Evening meals require prior ordering through our WhatsApp service.
What dining options are available?
We offer room service evening meals with meat, fish, and vegan options. Breakfast includes cooked dishes and continental choices. Dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice.
Are pets allowed at Burnside Cottage?
Dogs are welcome with a supplement charge that supports rescue organisations. We provide pet amenities including water stations and secure outdoor areas for exercise.
What nearby attractions are accessible?
We're 800m from the NC500 route and 3 minutes from Gills Bay ferry. Nearby sites include Dunnet Head, John O'Groats, and the Castle of Mey within 4 miles.
What sustainability practices do you implement?
We hold Green Tourism Gold accreditation. Practices include eco-soaps, energy-efficient systems, and locally sourced provisions. Our building materials and decor support environmental conservation principles.
Is Burnside Cottage accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Our ground-floor suites feature accessible layouts. The property provides self-contained access with parking adjacent to guest entrances. Detailed accessibility information available on our website.
Reviews (6)
Stacie Allensby
Sep 01, 2021
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Rooms are beautiful the artwork and attention to detail. The owners are lovely and welcoming we bought our two dogs and there was a bowl of water and treats. We also bought our children they didnt get a bowl of water and treats but made use of the tea and coffee facilities. Food was top notch and delivered to our room. I havent had breakfast yet but judging by the bed and its comfort I may oversleep it
Balakrishnan C. S.
Jul 23, 2021
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Should really be a four star acco. Best place to stay if you are visiting and staying near John o Groats. Lovely hosts.
Husseinj
Jun 23, 2021
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Outstanding , in all senses of the word: Lovely quiet location, superb accommodation (Room and bathroom recently refurbished and faultless and so clean), amazing, delicious dinner brought into our room in such a lovely way on top quality trays/cutlery etc, and finally a very helpful and charming host . We tried hard to find even the smallest thing missing but gave up ! Fabulous place to stay. Wish we could have stayed more than just one night. Next time hopefully!
Richard Amery
May 25, 2021
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In one word PERFECT !! The location for us was great as it was easy access to various places if interest. The cottage was easy to find and the room for immaculately clean and decorated to a very high standard. We had the twin room with very comfy beds, superb shower room. The cooked breakfast was awesome and delivered to our room. The host was very welcoming with lots of tourist information tips and also gave us our own space
I would highly recommend this B&B , very good value for money.
I would highly recommend this B&B , very good value for money.
Aidan T. W. Simpson
Dec 12, 2020
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The Hotel:
The hotel is very well kept and in a lovely rural location but only a short drive from John o' groats and Thurso. The room and private bathroom was very clean, well decorated and comfortable with a generous amount of complimentary tea, biscuits, coffee and toiletries. The owner is also very environmentally aware and responsibly sourced all of the above. The Host:
Kacey was very welcoming and accommodating even when I messed up my arrival time. She is easy to talk to and has some interesting stories to share about herself and her husband, whose photography can be viewed around the
The hotel is very well kept and in a lovely rural location but only a short drive from John o' groats and Thurso. The room and private bathroom was very clean, well decorated and comfortable with a generous amount of complimentary tea, biscuits, coffee and toiletries. The owner is also very environmentally aware and responsibly sourced all of the above. The Host:
Kacey was very welcoming and accommodating even when I messed up my arrival time. She is easy to talk to and has some interesting stories to share about herself and her husband, whose photography can be viewed around the
Katie Odowd
Dec 30, 2019
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Had a lovely stay here, very cosy and homely. I had a great sleep in the lovely rabbit room, the bed was so comfy and the room was a great size, with an amazing roof window above the bed to gaze at the stars. Our host Kacie was also extremely lovely and helpful and even made us breakfast a little earlier than usual because we had to leave so early. 10/10 would recommend.
