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Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500

Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500

Photo gallery for Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500

 Keiss Harbour House, 1833. Designed by naval architect James Bremner.
Keiss Harbour House, built in 1833.
Aerial view of the house nestled in the harbour.
The house and the harbour
House and Harbour

Overview of Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
5 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 103000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendlyPet friendlyPet friendly
  • Hot TubHot TubHot Tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • WasherWasherWasher

Check out the area

Map
Wick, Highlands
  • Popular LocationOld Wick Castle13 min drive
  • Popular LocationGills Bay Ferry Port20 min drive
  • Popular LocationCastle of Mey25 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 5

4 Twin Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Dining Area

About this property

Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500

Located along the North Coast 500, Keiss Harbour House is a stunning, contemporary-styled historic house on the edge of the Caithness village of Keiss, 10 miles south of John O'Groats. The five bedrooms, three bathrooms, open-plan kitchen with seating and a roaring fire, spacious reception rooms with two further fireplaces, make it ideal for entertaining groups of friends or family gatherings. Pet-friendly and well-equipped.

This area is ideal for those seeking an active holiday, with surfing and golf being local specialities, or for a more relaxing break, with sandy beaches, fishing and many historical and archaeological attractions within easy reach. This is also an ideal base for trips to the Orkney Islands, or boating and wildlife tours. Or why not just sit in an armchair in front of one of the three real fires, looking out over the sea?

The far northern highlands of Caithness are an unexplored gem of Scotland. There are fascinating archaeological remains and historic houses and museums to visit, surfing, golfing, walking, and easy access to the Orkney Islands. Whisky, gin and vodka distilleries are all within 10 minutes of the house. The stunning northern coast of Scotland and the north-western Highlands are also within easy reach.

Keiss Harbour House has five bedrooms and three reception areas, arranged over two floors.

The reception rooms in Keiss Harbour House are located upstairs, to take advantage of the sea views. The upstairs rooms comprise:

Spectacular 'Great Hall’ style living/dining room with vaulted ceilings and a handmade wooden table to seat up to 16 people or more if you're close, two seating areas with sofas and armchairs, with an open fire and a wood burning stove at opposite ends of the room.

Breakfast room open to the kitchen with an open fire, lounge chair and table, and a small dining table with 4 chairs for more intimate meals - also an ideal games table.

Fully equipped kitchen with island seating for 5 where you will find extras such as a wine fridge, two refrigerators and a freezer, Nespresso coffee machine, slow cooker and lobster pots. Shower room with toilet.

The Great Hall, kitchen and breakfast room all benefit from spectacular sea views.

The bedrooms and bathrooms are downstairs, accessed from a beautifully lit corridor: Three double bedrooms (two with balconies). One twin bedroom. Bunk room with two sets of bunks. Large shower-room with bench that doubles as a steam room and toilet. Bathroom with hand-held shower and toilet. Laundry area with washing machine, iron and tumble drier.

The bedrooms and bathroom all benefit from spectacular sea views.

The house has the following facilities: free Wi-Fi. Two open fires and a stove. Steam room. Smart TV with Freeview. Bose Sound Dock. Games and jigsaws, novels and local reference books. Underfloor heating throughout, easily controlled by wall thermostats in each room. Stair gate, cot, high chair, children's crockery, games and toys. Locked store (cellar) for surfing gear, fishing equipment, etc. All heating included with logs and coal provided. Bed linen and bath towels provided.

Keiss Harbour House is the heart of the historic harbour in the village of Keiss. The house directly overlooks the harbour, which is still used by fishing boats. On sunny days, the harbour provides a delightful area for sitting outside, watching the boats come and go. The fishermen still use the cellars below the house to store nets etc and you can usually buy fresh crab and lobster right off the boats.

The Keiss village pub is a five-minute walk up the quiet village road, where you will always receive a warm welcome and great service (it's also the source of all local knowledge).

From the doorstep of the Harbour House, you can walk to beaches in either direction - both rocky and sandy. Every step is a walk through history - as you walk north from the driveway of the house you will see the cliff-side ruins of 16th-century Old Keiss Castle which was replaced by the current 'newer' house in 1755. Between the house and the castle, you will pass the remains of two ancient iron-age brochs, and a WWII 'pillbox'. Situated in Sinclair's Bay, the Harbour House looks directly across at Noss Head Lighthouse and Sinclair-Girnigoe Castle which comprise impressive 15th-century ruins which you can walk around in.

With several castles and ancient archeological ruins, staggering geological formations, sandy beaches, and a stunning 18-hole links golf course - Keiss Harbour House enjoys a very special setting in the centre of Sinclair's Bay.

Property manager

Jill Seaton

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Beach view

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Take care around deep water in the harbour.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 55 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Dogs are very welcome at no extra charge.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely no smoking inside.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 550859786

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Wick

Located in Wick, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the beach. John O' Groats Ferry Terminal and Gills Bay Ferry Port are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Duncansby Stacks and Duncansby Head. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Wick, Highlands

What's nearby

  • Old Wick Castle - 13 min drive
  • John O' Groats Signpost - 15 min drive
  • John O' Groats Ferry Terminal - 15 min drive
  • Gills Bay Ferry Port - 20 min drive
  • Castle of Mey - 25 min drive

Getting around

  • Wick Station - 14 min drive
  • Wick (WIC) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • Tesco Cafe - 13 min drive
  • Wick Chinese - 13 min drive
  • Caithness Chocolate - 13 min drive
  • Rivendell Garden Centre - 11 min drive
  • Lucky 888 - 13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500 pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 55 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Luxurious historic seaside house on the North Coast 500 located?

Nestled on the beach, this Wick vacation home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Old Wick Castle, Wick Heritage Centre, and Pulteney Distillery. John O' Groats Ferry Terminal and Gills Bay Ferry Port are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Martha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Wave House
We had a wonderful time and wish it could have been much longer. Beautiful spot and the house is so comfortable. Very easy and helpful communication with our host. It could not have been more fun! We will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Keiss
This property is an unbelievable experience! The location is amazing. The property itself and the amenities are excellent. The property is comfortable and welcoming and it made our holiday extra special being in such a great house in such an amazing location.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

kay k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just wonderful
Can’t praise this property enough everything brilliant from start to finish and such a relaxing time - if you get a chance to book do it - you will not regret it wonderful

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

spectacular, comfortable home
We really enjoyed our week here. The owner is very responsive, the house has almost every amenity, including great bedding and showers, well-equipped kitchen. The location is perfect for exploring northern Scotland and is only 15 minutes from the ferry to the Orkney Islands. A large Tesco supermarket is just ten minutes away. The house is very special, and a local landmark. The walls are so thick that no outside noise is heard at all! The weather was typically Scottish, so we enjoyed the three fireplaces!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cindi S., Denver, CO

Gorgeous, and Great Location!
This house is a little off the beaten path (about ten miles north of Wick) but we will definitely stay here again if we return to the area. The home is huge, and absolutely beautiful inside - we called it Our Castle. The scenery is incredible - sunrises over the water were phenomenal. If you want a special experience, invite your friends or family to share this home with you!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

About the host

Hosted by Jill Seaton

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