The stunning view down to Melvich Beach is probably something most guests are struck by on arrival at the Melvich Hotel, and even on stormy days, the outlook is nothing short of remarkable, with winds whipping the waves that can roll right in, splashing the grassy dunes.
Jo and Rob Wyke made the Melvich Hotel their home in 2007 and they and their team have been offering up a warm welcome to guests (and their pets!) ever since. But a stay at the Melvich Hotel is much more than a beautiful view and a warm welcome; guests rave on Tripadvisor of the hotel’s freshly made wood-fired pizzas and wholesome, warming breakfasts that ready them for a day discovering the local area.
The beautiful north coast has become more accessible in recent years with world class surf breaks, fantastic climbing and walking nearby, salmon and trout fishing in the local lochs and rivers, not to mention the wide-open beaches just waiting for exploration.
(Image courtesy of North Coast Watersports)
Given its location, the hotel has been a favourite with those pursuing watersports since Victorian Times, indeed, an original guestbook sits in the guest lounge at the Melvich Hotel and makes for an enjoyable browse. Today, the hotel’s guests are often dropping in for a night’s stay whilst touring the North Coast 500 and some come specifically to enjoy the surf packages which the Melvich Hotel run in collaboration with North Coast Watersports.
(Image courtesy of Wes Kingston Photography)
The Melvich Hotel is open year-round and welcomes guests with pets. Visit their web site for more information and to plan your stay: https://www.melvichhotel.co.uk/
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Jo Wyke's Top Tips for visitors coming to Caithness & Sutherland:
1. Stay in Melvich of course! You don't want to miss the beach, the harbour, the pier, the people, the shop, the view, the river, the wild weather!
2. Research, research, research. Take some time to look at your trip and the places you'll go. There is SO MUCH to explore and multitudes of activities on offer but some may need some planning. One of the best parts of any holiday is the looking forward to it, so why not make plans, look ahead, check distances and maximise the possibilities.
3. Breathe in the sea air. The salt spray and the waves are our best USP. You can learn to surf, paddle board, canoe, kayak, fish, walk, jump and just get your toes wet at hundreds of locations across the North Coast. It's exhilarating, it's energising, it's fun. It's unique. Don't visit without considering getting yourself into some neoprene.
4. North Coast food & drink produce is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. There are so many local producers making the very best in cuisine and artisan craft. Taste North (6th October) is one for the diary for a one-stop-shop to discover many at one sitting, but you can also visit distilleries, local farms, studios and excellent cafes, restaurants and hotels who deliver top quality excellently prepared DELICIOUS dishes. We know somewhere perfect for hand-made authentic wood fired stone baked pizza, as a for example...
5. Entertaining the kids can be tricky when the weather is wild (nothing a cagoule can't handle of course!), but we've also got some tip top family provisions for entertainment. Messy Nessy in Thurso, PPP in Wick, Wick, Thurso & Bettyhill swimming pools, Dunnet forest, a variety of play parks, excellent local cafes. ALL THE BEACHES YOU COULD ASK FOR, not to mention group and private surf lessons from North Coast Watersports. Ask around and you'll find that there is more than meets the eye to keeping the kids happy.