Some excerpts from the website of Caledonian that might be useful
Just some of the things to see and do during your stay with us. Portmahomack Village: The Tarbat Discovery
Centre (01862 871351 or 871361) An ongoing Archaeological project tracing the history of the community based in the area through the “Dark Ages”. The dig itself is complimented by the exhibition, housed in an A-listed 12th Century church building, which highlights the importance of this project and details earlier phases. Dolphin-Watching, Sea Fishing Boat
Trips (01862 871257) Hire a boat from Portmahomack harbour by the hour or for a half or full day. The boatman will use his local knowledge to take you to the likeliest spots for sighting dolphins and porpoises or alternatively for a sea fishing or sightseeing
trip. Tarbat
Golf Club (01862 871302) This pleasing nine-hole
golf course is situated on the hill above the village and is only a short walk from the hotel. Ask at reception for your £5 concessionary pass which allows you a full day on the course.
Golf: The following is a selection of the 18-hole
golf courses in the immediate vicinity. ROUND PRICE (week/weekend). Strathpeffer
Spa G.C. Championship 6514 Struie 5438. Championship £55 / £65 Struie £16 / £16. Skibo Castle, Dornoch. £130 / £130 (includes
lunch). The Caledonian Hotel, Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1YS. The Tarbat Discovery
Centre (01862 871351 or 871361) An ongoing Archaeological project tracing the history of the community based in the area through the “Dark Ages”. The dig itself is complimented by the exhibition, housed in an A-listed 12th Century, which highlights the importance of this project and details earlier phases. Tain Through Time (01862 894089) This unique visitor
centre illustrates the sometimes turbulent history of the ancient burgh. The
Centre combines with the town’s Medieval Church and Town Museum to present a fascinating look at Tain and its inhabitants through the centuries. Glenmorangie Distillery Visitor
Centre (01862 892477) The home of one of the world’s most popular malt whiskies. Begin your
tour of the Distillery and Museum with a
Video presentation and end it with a “nip” of the famed spirit. Anta Pottery (01862 832477) Take a
tour of the pottery itself and browse over the craft items on display and sale. Aldie Water Mill (01862 893786) Discover how a water mill works. Visit the Pottery and see the skills of making and decorating the varied wares. Gift
Shop selling pottery, textiles, basketware and other local crafts. Dornoch and Sutherland: Dornoch Heritage Society - Hisotrylinks (01408 633872) Museum telling the story of Dornoch from pre-history to present time. Forest Enterprise (01862 810359) Stunning views, wonderful walks
fitness trail. Varied programmes, for visitors and families available throughout the summer. Dunrobin Castle (01408 633177) One of the Great Houses of Scotland. With it’s magnificent formal
gardens this
189 roomed house is well worth a visit during the season. Falls of Shin Visitor
Centre (01549 402231) One of the best places in Scotland to see Wild Atlantic Salmon in their natural habitat. Also, with an Adventure Playground, Forest Walks,
Shop and
Restaurant it is a terrific location for a family day out. Orcadian Stone Company (01408 633483) Exhibition of world wide minerals, local rocks and fossils. Visit the workshops where stone is sawn, shaped, polished, turmbled and engraved. The Black Isle and South. Strathpeffer Water Sampling Pavilion (01349 868481) An opportunity to taste the
spa water from deep underground springs., which resulted in the Victorian development of strathpeffer as a
health spa resort. Clanland and Sealpoint (01349 830000) Situated on the shore of the Cromarty Firth in the heart of Munro clanlands. This exciting and educational attraction, housed in a restored 18th century “Rent House”, includes exhibitions, displays, and interactive multi media culminating in a stunning
audio video visual. There is also a fine
restaurant and gift
shop. Hugh Millers Cottage (01381 600245) Birthplace of the Geologist, Journalist and author of Folklore, Hugh Miller.
Video presentation based on this life and times plus many artefacts and mementoes. Cromarty Courthouse Museum (01381 600418) This museum presents a clear picture of an 18th Century Scottish Town. With recreated trial in the courtroom,
video presentation, tape-
tour and exhibitions. Slightly Further Away. Inverness : 42 Miles Capital of the Highlands and very visitor friendly. Many
shops,
Restaurants and places of interest. These include Inverness Castle, Culloden Field, Museums and Art Galleries. Visitors can also take cruises around the Moray Firth as well as Loch Ness which is slightly further south of the city. Lairg : 34 Miles Delightful scenic drive. Lairg has a Visitors
centre restaurants and gift
shops. It also sits at the southern end of Loch Shin. Ulla
pool : 63 Miles The town was founded by the British Fisheries Society in 1788 and the town remains proud of it’s close links to the sea, both in terms of fishing and as a departure point for emigrants to the Americas in the 18th Century. The museum is certainly worth a visit and became the Scottish Museum of the Year award in 1996. Helmsdale : 44 Miles Once a busy Herring port, now the site of the Timespan Heritage
Centre. Nine miles west of the town is Kildonan Burn, site of the Great Sutherland Gold Rush of 1869. You can still hire Gold Panning equipment from local Helmsdale
shops with which to try your luck. John O’Groats : 96 Miles Not quite the top of the British Mainland, this honour goes to Dunnet Head, some 15 miles further to the west. However, the common belief that John O’Groats is the top of the mainland, allows the local community to offer a variety of
Shops,
restaurants and points of visitor interest, which also includes the famous signpost to Land’s End. (876 miles to the south west). The sights and attractions listed here are a mere drop in the ocean to the vast array of interesting and breathtaking sights the Highlands of Scotland has to offer. Days can be easily filled taking in the
beauty and charm of this part of the United Kingdom. Should you come across somewhere you think other visitors would enjoy then please feel free to pass on any details to Phil or Irene and they will be happy to recommend it to future guests. The Caledonian Hotel, Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1YS.
Tel: +44 (0)1862 871345
The Hotel is under the personal supervision of the owners, Bev and Lynda. Guests are guaranteed a warm and friendlywelcome, comfortable accommodation and excellent
cuisine, with every effort being made to ensure their stay is made as enjoyable as possible. Whether you choose to join the locals for a
quiet drink in the
Lounge Bar, or your special interest lies in more active pursuits such as fishing, sailing, water
ski-ing,
golf, wind surfing, wild fowling or hillwalking, The Caledonian Hotel is the ideal location for you: all are within easy reach. Tarbat 9 hole
golf course is 5 minutes walk from the hotel.
Golf equipment is available for hire from the hotel, and concessionary rates on the local course can be arranged. The village of Portmahomack is the only east village facing west in Scotland its fantastic sunsets are somewhat to be admired, being some of the most spectacular in the world. The history of the village is such that it had no clearances in the 17 centuries and at the villages height it was one of the most busiest seaports and in ts heyday the village had no less than 15 Inns and one smugglers cave.Portmahomack is one of the oldest villages in Scotland and has ancient connections to Iona and the Pictish civilization which is disclosed in our very own Tarbat Discovery
centre in the village.The Caledonian Hotel is situated in the heart of the village over looking the beach and Dornoch Firth, it is just off the A9 north of Inverness and offers excellent home cooking, a 40 seater
grill house
restaurant,
15 bedroom en-suite, a friendly
bar with open fire, we also offer board
room facilities and a fully functional function
room catering for up to 250 persons. We also pride ourselves in; Civil
Weddings which are conducted upon the beach with Lobster and Champagne
buffets held in the Hotel function
room. Portmahomack is centralized around several well known Scottish
golf courses, such as; Events throughout the year; The annual music festival is the most popular event of the year, held on the Scottish August
bank holiday weekend. Closly followed by the Portmahomack Gala week held in July. Not forgetting Christmas and the New Year for which bookings are required, especially for Christmas Day
Dinner. The Caledonian Hotel, Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1YS.
Bevatcaley@fsmail.net.
Tel: +44 (0)1862 871345
Introduction A very special occasion requires a very special location for the
celebrations. Where better than the picturesque village of Portmahomack in the Highlands of Scotland? The Caledonian Hotel enjoys an unrivalled beach-front location with spectacular views across the Dornoch Firth to the Sutherland hills beyond. Although situated on the east coast, the village faces west, giving the additional benefit of glorious sunsets. Function Facilities Our function
suite can comfortably seat more than one hundred guests for a formal
dinner. The
room can accommodate two hundred guests when laid out for
conferences, concerts, recitals, evening functions etc. The function
suite incorporates its own private
bar, if required. For smaller
parties, the hotel
restaurant has seating for up to forty guests. In this case, the function
suite is very often used for the evening reception afterwards. Entertainment A vital part of any
wedding reception or
celebration. As the hotel is a regular music venue, we are well connected to the local music scene. We will be very pleased to provide contact details for recommended artists in line with your stated preferences. We do strongly recommend going to see any act you are considering for your
celebration, as personal tastes do vary.
Wedding Packages
Weddings are individual occasions, and we believe in gearing our services around the wishes of the bridal
party, most especially the bride and groom. Whether your requirement is for a
wedding meal,
buffet, evening reception or indeed to host the
wedding ceremony itself, we will aim to offer a package tailored to your priorities and preferences. Contact us for a copy of our
Wedding Information Pack. Other Functions The hotel facilities are available for
conferences, training courses, auctions, sales and other activities. Contact us with your requirements and we will be pleased to quote accordingly.