Embo House: “5 star” self-catering in Dornoch

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Embo House: 5-star self-catering accommodation in Dornoch

We are delighted to report that the Scottish tourist board have awarded Embo House a 5-star self-catering rating, making us the only Dornoch 5-star self-catering accommodation. As you may gather, we are rather proud of this!

For the House to achieve the 5-star rating, we had to fulfil many challenging criteria and pass a detailed inspection by the man from “Visit Scotland” – who was obviously charming, – but that didn’t stop us being very nervous!

The property is Grade 1 listed and had been beautifully modernised by our predecessors as a private house, so we always felt that Embo House deserved a 5-star self-catering rating. Our job has been to turn it from a 10-bedroom 6-bathroom house – to one with 8 generous double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. We completed that job this spring.

“Dalmore” & “Wolfburn” suites completed 2019

All our mattresses are pocket-sprung and then have toppers for extra comfort. The bed linen is 200 thread-count, pure Egyptian cotton and we have 100% woollen throws on top, sourced from Kingcraig in Dornoch. We also ensure all rooms are provided with complementary robes, tartan slippers, hairdryers and a bluetooth sound system, so our guests can stream their favourite music.

“Glen Ord” & “Balblair” suites completed 2018

Downstairs, we have everything you might want to celebrate in style, including real table-cloths & napkins, crystal glassware and a bone china dinner service. (Of course, if you’d rather be more casual, we also have easy-care alternatives.) We are also happy to arrange for a chef to come in in cook you dinner. So Embo House 5-star self-catering in Dornoch doesn’t have to be hard work!

In addition to Embo House’s 5-star self-catering award, we have also achieved a “Golfers Welcome” and “Walkers Welcome” accreditation from Visit Scotland. The primary extra requirements for these schemes is that we have a secure, indoor “Club store”, adequate space to store all other outdoor equipment such as jackets, golf shoes and boots – and a “Drying room” – where equipment can be dried overnight. So please come and challenge us! We think we will have everything you need.

                 

As part of our celebration for achieving Embo House’s 5-star self catering award, we made a short video, showing a little of what it’s like to stay in Embo House. Paste this link into your browser to watch it if you like!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuC3J7DujvY

 

Spring at Embo House

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It is almost unbelievable how the carpet of snowdrops which surrounds Embo House from January, gets supplanted by a veritable host of golden daffodils in April. We had been away to our niece’s wedding, and arrived back to find that Spring had definitely sprung in Dornoch.

  

Spring flowers (and Nala) in the garden at Embo House.

In the herb garden, the mint, sage and rosemary are sprouting – and it looks like we will have a forest of chives. Fruitwise, the Rhubarb is starting to go bananas and in the summerhouse, the peach tree is in bloom, and the apricot tree and grape vine are not far behind

 

It’s not just the Spring plants which are active – It’s the birdlife too! We seem to have wild ducks nesting on an island in the pond (safe, but only just, from our inquisitive dog) and there are oyster catchers all over the place, making their wonderfully exotic call. Jim has spent lots of time in the tree house, trying to spot them.

  

And in the house, we are nearing the end of the building work we have been doing. Two new bathrooms have come to life, which means a storm of dust needs to be cleared out. So Embo House is having a HUGE Spring clean!

Spring Bath at Embo House