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Mackay's Rooms
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Mackay's Rooms

Traveller (217)
The Rooms
Room & Suite (56)
Breakfast!
Dining (19)

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About

4.5
#1 of 1 small hotel in Durness
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Mackay’s Rooms is one of those rare finds one makes or hears about very occasionally. Located in the rugged and spectacular scenery of Durness, Mackay’s is a truly luxurious individually styled B&B where guests can come to escape from the stresses of daily life. Guests who stay here have an opportunity to experience Scotland’s real untamed natural environment in the comfort of world class accommodation- modern highland chic! A warm welcome from Robbie and Fiona Mackay, their family and friendly staff awaits all visitors to their highland retreat.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Special diet menus
Hiking
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Room features
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
603Reviews4Q+A69Room tips

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
mrsvoyager wrote a review June 2021
England
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a review for The Cottage, rather than the rooms.
This is one of the best self catering cottages we have ever used. It is finished to the highest standard and every little detail has been considered. The furnishings are of good quality - no second hand mismatches here.

There is plenty of space for four adults and the downstairs bedroom and shower room make life easy for the less mobile. The upstairs bedroom is huge, with a separate sitting area and the adjacent twin room ideal if you have children.

I have to also mention the laundry room (yes, I know that’s sad, but come on we have to think of the Scottish weather!) I didn’t realise how badly I needed an extra large washing machine and tumble dryer until I stayed here. They are vast and make washing/drying so much easier.

Outside, there is seating on the deck which was lovely after a day’s walking. We were blessed with fine, dry weather so this was much appreciated. There’s also plenty of private parking adjacent to The Cottage.

Finally, it is very dog friendly, with easy to clean floors, open space and also close to so many good dog walks. The location, in the centre of Durness, is ideal as the shop is only a few steps away across the garden.

Fiona and Robbie are very hospitable hosts; nothing is too much trouble and they were swift to respond when needed. If you are in need of accommodation then don’t hesitate to book, I can highly recommend The Cottage.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 24 June 2021
What a fantastic review! Thank you so much for your kind words - we really appreciate your amazing feedback. Hopefully we will have the honor to welcome you back here at Mackay's in the near future :) Take care & all the best to you!
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BTraveller wrote a review June 2021
Berkhamsted, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
On a recent trip to the north of Scotland we stayed a night in the rooms and 3 nights at The Cabin (self catering) And wow!

The rooms: beautiful room, comfy bed, spotlessly clean, great shower, outstanding breakfast and amazing staff. The young man who served breakfast was amazing- working so hard but always time to ask how you were and what your plans were.

The Cabin: we absolutely loved this stunningly appointed wooden cabin. decked out in industrial lights and bold furniture it was so beautiful and quirky, like the rooms it was spotless and we had everything we needed. It was the little details here that made a difference like pale pink linen sheets (smelling of fresh air after line drying on the hill), the wood burner being loaded and ready to go, plates etc made by a local potter, , the huge Smeg fridge.....

Location wise, both are opposite a well stocked Spar and a walk from some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen. Little Durness is the most lovely of the north coast towns. Add to that the friendly owners and staff and you’re onto a winner here. Only suggestion here would be to have a few basics in for guests like shampoo and teabags..
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Date of stay: June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 24 June 2021
Thank you so much for your kind words and amazing review, Barbara! We are always very happy to hear when our guests have enjoyed their stay and the beautiful North so much and appreciate all the small bits and pieces, which make our place so unique and special :) Take care and all the best to you! Hopefully we will be welcoming you again as our guests on a future date :)
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Chris H wrote a review Nov 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The cabin is a great place to stay to explore the surrounding area. It is done out and equipped to a very high standard. Fiona and Robbie are great hosts, although we didn't see them due to the COVID restrictions but they are just a phone call away if you have any questions. The log burner really heats the whole cabin with the kitchen and bathroom both fitted out to a very high standard with no expense spared. Durness is a great place even in winter and we would particularly recommend going to the Smoo Cave. The beaches are lovely and clean. Finally Fiona definately went the extra mile for us. We had bought a cup in the craft village, also worth a visit, and left it at the cabin. However Fiona returned it to us. Thanks again great stay.
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Date of stay: November 2020
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Not applicable
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia A wrote a review May 2021
Northampton, United Kingdom
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Checked in on a lovely day and luckily room was ready early. However on check in was told no dining options in town available except takeaway but that we could eat In our room and they would supply cutlery/crockery etc. No problem however then told two options for breakfast ‘eat in ‘or ‘takeaway’ Eat In option appeared to be discouraged with statements like - very small room, could be 14 guests in there, so wasn’t nervous when I arrived but was getting worried now so reluctantly chose ‘takeaway’ option. Not ideal and risky choice as we were on a motorbike so potentially nowhere dry to eat It. Spent a lovely afternoon and had picnic in bedroom in the evening but next morning weather had turned horrible, driving rain and wind and with only 2 hour drive to next destination my husband went down to reception early and asked if we could now ‘eat in’ and also sit in the cosy lounge for a few hours to keep dry and warm until we had to leave around lunchtime (2 hours !!) lovely young man agreed that this was no problem and we could stay as long as we wished and could have tea/coffee also.
Great we thought only to come down at 9.30 to check out of our room and be told by the girl on reception that we had to have the takeaway option as that was what we had ordered. When we said can’t we just sit in the dining room to eat it as there was no one there she stomped off to check, muttering about having to sanitise a table etc etc. We ate quickly from the takeout bag so as to minimise any mess and then went to sit in the lounge area when she stomped back in and said I don’t mean to be rude but we had to leave by 10am as cleaning team would be coming in . After that 4 other guests came in and sat down but nothing was said to them and in fact we left when they were still there and were making no moves to leave. All we needed on a cold wet day was a little kindness, we’d asked permission and then got treated very badly. Perhaps they don’t like bikers!
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 3 June 2021
Hi Julia Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at Mackay's Rooms, yet we are wondering a bit about some feedback. We have an amazing breakfast here at Mackays which we recommend to all guests, however, our dining room is quite small and as we cannot change the structure, it is really important to us to honestly inform our guests about the size of the dining rooms to fully know what to expect - should guests be not comfortable with this, we do offer a fantastic take out upon departure as you were well informed. I am very sure you have been told that it would be no problem to change your breakfast to our eat-in option as long as we know the night before due to set breakfast slots and organization. Breakfast is until 9am and we had already cleared and sanitized our dining room when you asked if you can have your breakfast here, plus it was already past checkout time - in the end, there is a pandemic going on, we try our very best to offer the safest possible environment and expect our guests to respect this. I assume you appreciate that we are operating under unusual circumstances - We do not leave any stone unturned to create a safe environment for you as well as our team and this means our checkout time is 9.30am - this is due to our intensive daily cleaning regime. It was of course no problem on a rainy day to hang about a bit longer, but due to Covid regulations, we have to start our intense cleaning measures at one point. I am sure we do not discriminate guests or dislike bikers, but we do ask our guests to respect the rules in times of a pandemic and hope you do understand this. We apologize if there has been any misunderstanding regarding breakfast and checkout times and hope you still had a lovely time at our B&B. Thank you again for staying with us at Mackays. All the Best Team Mackay
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Larry W wrote a review May 2022
Los Angeles, California
2.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed in the Bothan, billed as a cool studio that turned out to be a converted shipping container located across the street from the main hotel in the parking lot of a market owned by the owner of the Bothan. The main hotel was closed. There was no note or any information of where we should check in on this rainy day, but we noticed the name on the market was Mackay's, so we went in. When we got to the storage container, we saw the advertised oversized bed was positioned between two walls so we had to wriggle out the bottom to get out of bed. There were pouches tacked to the wall to serve as bedside tables. The advertised sea view was actually a view of a caravan park with the sea in the background. Lawn separating us from the caravans had people walking across and looking into our place, making for very little privacy. The storage container was tidy in providing a small bathroom with shower and a kitchen, as well as a large table and bench seating on two sides. We’d been under the impression breakfast was included, both because we booked on the website which touted "breakfast is the most important meal, and our aim is to awaken your senses and offer a great start to your day with delicious homemade food, freshly prepared every morning using the very best seasonal, local and organic ingredients. "Additionally, on checkin, when we inquired about breakfast and were for the first time told the hotel was closed, we were told we could come to the market and get coffee and a pastry. Although this wasn’t a hot breakfast, we were sort of ok with that. However, when we went the next morning for our coffee and pastry, we ended up with the misfortune of meeting Robbie Mackay, who accused us of lying about being told we would get coffee and pastry, and was in general rude and abusive in the extreme. Instead of any allowance for the fact that we were his only guests, and we were paying £169 for one night in a storage container, and were telling him our expectations, he was totally inhospitable and somewhat sarcastic in saying we could have the coffee we’d already poured "out of the goodness of his heart." Altogether, an experience we cannot forget too soon.
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Date of stay: May 2022
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
1.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 25 May 2022
We have been waiting for this review and in fact it is not as scathing as expected. It was very obvious to all that upon arrival we were never going to satisfy you or meet your expectations. You booked our gorgeously"weird" self-contained Bothan at Mackay's- all the information upon booking is automatically provided however you actually have to read this to understand what/where it is you have booked. Yes it was raining when you arrived much to your apparent despair. Our team spent much time with you on your numerous requests and gladly so, but a little thanks and consideration is always appreciated. We never want to receive a negative review as we strive daily every single day to get positive reviews from positive happy people however sometimes this is just not possible. Such a shame as travel and new experience is a gift and should not be such a chore. At least we can agree with your final sentence I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip to our wonderful country - rain an all!
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Demelza C wrote a review Sept 2020
Folkestone, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I loved every moment spent at Mackay's Room - I wish we had stayed longer! We had originally planned to book another BnB but they didn't allow one night stays, so they recommended Mackay's. I'm so glad they did!

We stayed in the Deluxe Double Standard, which was decorated beautifully and had a ridiculously comfy bed and high-spec bathroom suite - we especially loved the large bath. The room was quiet and peaceful, just what you need after a day of driving and exploring the NC500! My boyfriend and I both agree that the breakfast was the best bit. You won't be disappointed!

I 100% recommend staying here if you're coming to Durness or doing the NC500. Can't wait to come back!
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Date of stay: September 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 3 Oct 2020
Wow, thank you so much for this amazing feedback! We are very happy you have had such a wonderful stay at our BnB and of course, that you enjoyed our lovely breakfast so much - at Mackay's it is all about food, coziness and having a great time :D Take care and hopefully we will see you gaian in the near future!
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Erik W wrote a review Oct 2020
Kigali, Rwanda
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Chose this little spot for a 2 night stay whilst driving around the NC500...had to play around with the dates to ensure it was available as it was extremely popular despite looking weeks in advance. It's no doubt the best place to stay on paper and this plays out once you've arrived into town. The room was larger than I expected and the bed was fabulously comfy. The hotel is cosy with a log fire downstairs and is walking distance to everywhere in town from the craft village to the beach. The staff were incredibly friendly & the breakfast was top drawer....unfortunately it's closed from October through to April which is a real shame.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 3 Oct 2020
Hello and thank you a lot for your great review. We are happy you liked your stay at Mackay's so much and will make sure to pass on your kind words to our amazing staff :) Take care and all the best!
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Fiona Cameron wrote a review July 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This review is for "The House" Durness rather than the McKay Rooms.

A great relaxed atmosphere at McKays' "the House." The accommodation was spotless, warm, relaxed and comfortable ~ at the same time as stylish, modern and with designer decor. There was a traditional warm Highland welcome, with many additional little extras which made our time there very special. Attention to detail was evident throughout. The House is well equipped with everything you could possibly need in a home~from~home. Our hosts, and the whole team, so very welcoming, friendly and responsive to any needs. In the current COVID~19 circumstances this abode felt very safe and to secure, with hygiene clearly a top priority.

A real find ~ thank you for providing a "safe haven" in our favourite stunning setting.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo M wrote a review Oct 2020
Birmingham, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We spent 3 nights at the Cabin which is a self catering lodge adjacent to the B&B. We could not fault this accommodation at all - beautifully appointed to the highest possible standards, the Cabin is perfection - and the location is superb to visit the north coast. We were blessed with sunshine for a lot of the stay, we had rain one afternoon which I was delighted about as it meant we could fire up the woodburner and watch the weather, and have time to enjoy this incredible space. If only all self catering options were of this standard. Robbie and Fiona also very helpful. Thank you.
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Date of stay: October 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 15 Oct 2020
Hi! Thank you very much for this fantastic review! We are delighted you have had such a wonderful time in our cabin. You were lucky with all the sunshine to enjoy Durness' wild nature walks, but as you said, snuggling up in front of the fire and watching some northern storms out there certainly is something for the soul as well :) All the best to you!
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Niall M wrote a review July 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a lovely guest house which I would gladly recommend.

We received a lovely welcome at the reception desk, and the staff went out of their way to arrange dinner for us at a nearby hotel, as the other alternatives were closed due to covid.

The entire property is presented superbly. The communal lounge is a great space for an evening drink.

The rooms are lovely, if quite small. The large double bed was amazing and definitely the best of our NC500 trip. The bathroom had everything you needed and was spotlessly clean.

Breakfast in the morning was excellent, a number of options each of which looked and tasted great.

This was one of the more expensive stays on our trip but the higher price point is reflected in the presentation of the house and the excellent service we received.

Be aware of the early check out (approx 9:30) which may be inconvenient for some.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from fiona mackay, Owner at Mackay's Rooms
Responded 17 Aug 2021
Hi Niall, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this fantastic review with us! We are delighted you have enjoyed your stay with us so much :) Thanks again for staying at Mackay's and all the best to you!
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…
donnaj1dlh asked a question Feb 2020
Aberdeen, United Kingdom42 contributions37 helpful votes
Are there places to eat locally as I notice the hotel doesn't serve evening meals? Cheers.
Answer from Alex V
Baden, Switzerland11 contributions3 helpful votes
Yes there are two restaurants/ pubs close to the hotel
Answer from MDFreqTvlr
Columbia, Maryland400 contributions216 helpful votes
Russ, If I remember correctly, the main MacKay’s Rooms only has 6-7 rooms, all very nice but I am not sure they are configured to accommodate your group. However, they do have a Croft Bunkhouse that accommodates up to 20. As for securing your bikes, I am not able to answer that, but Fiona MacKay is very responsive to email inquiries. Enjoy your trip.
Lady M asked a question Jan 2015
Edinburgh, United Kingdom54 contributions33 helpful votes
What is the parking like?
Answer from Becky Sp8
Inverness, United Kingdom11 contributions6 helpful votes
There is no private parking for the hotel (well there is but they don't let you park in it), however there is a public car park directly over the road in front of the hotel, and as it's Durness it should be fairly safe (however no one in the hotel will be keeping an eye on it as someone else had suggested).
Global280265 wrote a tip Sept 2024
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Free parking available over the road. Durness is small but has excellent local shop and a petrol station, but local pub has a shut down."
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Dana Davis R wrote a tip Sept 2024
Bethesda, Maryland1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Be mindful of timing for your dinner. There are not a lot of options in the town."
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Neshee wrote a tip Sept 2024
42 contributions3 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"There are local places for evening meals, within walking distance."
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diane_happy wrote a tip Sept 2024
Liverpool, United Kingdom75 contributions36 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Visit the beach just up the road from the hotel Balnakeil beach"
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Wanderer618607 wrote a tip Oct 2023
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Don’t skip breakfast !!"
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…
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Durness area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
mackays rooms hotel, mackays rooms durness
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandScottish HighlandsCaithness and SutherlandDurness
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
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MACKAY'S ROOMS - 2024 Reviews (Durness, Scotland) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Mackay's Rooms
Which popular attractions are close to Mackay's Rooms?
Nearby attractions include Balnakeil Beach (1.5 km), Durness Beach (0.5 km), and Smoo Cave (1.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Mackay's Rooms?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and hiking.
Is parking available at Mackay's Rooms?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Mackay's Rooms?
Conveniently located restaurants include Smoo Cave Hotel, Cocoa Mountain, and Sango Sands Oasis Restaurant and Bar.
Is Mackay's Rooms located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.02 km away from the centre of Durness.
Are there any historical sites close to Mackay's Rooms?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Ceannabeinne Township Trail (2.7 km).
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