Comfortable rooms with Highland views

The main hotel building at the Ulbster Arms features 13 en-suite bedrooms. Many overlook the River Thurso. Others face Halkirk Church and its historic clock tower. Each room blends traditional Highland character with fresh, modern design. As a result, every space feels both authentic and genuinely comfortable.

Across the private car park, three additional luxury lodge buildings offer more secluded Caithness accommodation. These suit guests who want extra privacy or more space. Inside, you’ll find soft furnishings, modern amenities, and a calm, inviting atmosphere throughout. All room types include a full Scottish breakfast with fresh fruit, juices, yoghurt, and cereals. Furthermore, every room has high-speed Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and complimentary tea and coffee facilities.

Explore all room types and find the right fit for your stay.

Caithness accommodation for fishing holidays in Scotland

The Ulbster Arms Hotel sits steps from the River Thurso, one of Scotland’s most celebrated salmon rivers. For anglers, that’s a significant advantage. Guests here enjoy direct riverside access and some of the finest fly fishing holidays in Scotland. The surrounding lochs also offer excellent trout fishing, so there’s always a worthy challenge nearby whatever your preference.

The Ulbster Arms welcomes anglers of every level. Beginners and experienced fly fishers alike feel at home here. Expert local guidance is available on request, and the hotel’s early breakfast service means you can be on the water before the day gets started. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant and bar provide a warm, well-stocked base to return to after a day on the river. It’s one of the reasons the Ulbster Arms is consistently rated among the best fishing hotels in Scotland.

Many guests also combine their fishing breaks in Scotland with time on the North Coast 500. The two sit naturally together from a base in Halkirk. Book your fishing holiday accommodation directly for the best available rate.

Luxury hotels in the Scottish Highlands on the NC500

The Ulbster Arms Hotel sits just off the North Coast 500 route in Halkirk. As a result, it’s one of the most well-placed luxury hotels in the Scottish Highlands for NC500 travellers heading into the far north. From here, Dunnet Head, the Castle of Mey, Dunnet Bay, and John O’Groats are all within easy reach. The Scrabster to Stromness ferry is also a short drive away, making the hotel a practical overnight base for Orkney visits.

Winter is a particularly rewarding time to travel the NC500 from this base. The roads grow quieter, the light turns golden, and the coastline feels entirely your own. Seals bask on the rocks near Thurso. Seabirds trace the clifftops above Dunnet Head. Meanwhile, the Ulbster Arms provides a warm, well-fed anchor point to return to each evening. It’s the kind of Scottish Highlands luxury hotel experience that works in every season, not just the summer months.

Explore the NC500 from the Ulbster Arms and plan your route through Caithness and beyond.

Perfect Caithness accommodation for business travel

The Ulbster Arms Hotel is one of the most practical choices for business accommodation in Caithness and Sutherland. The Ulbster and Milton lodge buildings are particularly well suited to contractor groups and project teams. Each building comfortably hosts six to eight people, with private lounges for informal meetings or end-of-day debriefs. Solo business travellers, meanwhile, will find everything they need in the main hotel.

Fast Wi-Fi, quiet workspaces, early breakfast, free parking, and tailored corporate rates are all available here. Additionally, the hotel provides packed lunches for teams heading to site and flexible dining options for those with varied schedules. For contractors travelling for business to Dounreay and across the North Highlands, the Ulbster Arms is the most convenient and best-equipped base in the area. Enquire about corporate rates or explore all business facilities.

Explore Caithness and the surrounding Highlands

The Ulbster Arms Hotel is an ideal base for exploring this vast and rewarding corner of Scotland. History lovers can visit nearby castles and ancient ruins, including Caithness heritage sites that date back thousands of years. For wildlife enthusiasts, the rivers and shores around Halkirk offer regular sightings of seals, otters, and seabirds. Furthermore, Caithness Seacoast powerboat tours take guests out along the coastline to explore sea stacks, caves, and offshore wildlife from the water.

A day trip to the Orkney Islands is also well worth considering. Neolithic sites, charming harbours, and a rich Norse heritage make Orkney one of Scotland’s most distinctive destinations. Consequently, many guests who base themselves at the Ulbster Arms use Scrabster as their ferry departure point for a day or overnight trip. Explore the full things to do guide to plan your time in Caithness.

Book your stay: hotels in Caithness and Sutherland

The Ulbster Arms Hotel offers year-round availability across all room types. It’s one of the best-rated hotels in Caithness and Sutherland for leisure, fishing, NC500, and corporate stays alike. Whatever brings you to the North Highlands, the hotel has a room and a rate to suit your visit. Moreover, booking direct always gives you the lowest price, flexible cancellation, and direct access to the team for any special arrangements.

Book online today, call 01847 831 641, or contact the team to check availability. View current special offers before you book to make sure you’re getting the best deal.