The stunning North Coast 500 house that was once a retreat for the Queen Mother and nearly Led Zeppelin studio

Hit the north and just keep driving, if you want to discover one of this country’s most beautiful and secluded retreats.

The imposing House of the Northern Gate is at Dunnet Head - the most northerly point of mainland Scotland - which juts out into the Pentland Firth. 

The two storey property was recently renovated and is now available as a luxury private hire, with nine plush double bedrooms, a dining room to sit 22, games room complete with ping-pong table, library, cinema and fully-equipped gym. You can also sit on their tall-backed Mackintosh chair and take in the view of the coastline, over to the 19th century Dunnet Head lighthouse and beyond, to Orkney.

Living room | Contributed

The house has a unique situation, too, as it’s on 1800 acres of rugged estate moorland, which incorporates three lochs, a hidden cave and a sandy beach, and is part of the peatland UNESCO World Heritage Site, Flow Country, on the NC500.

Built in the late 19th-century by Mr. Thomson-Sinclair of Freswick, it later passed to his nephew, the Scottish Royal Navy officer, Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair. 

The naval theme continues to this day, with ocean-themed paintings and a colour scheme of ice white and blue, with the occasional optimistic splash of sunshine yellow. 

Dining room | Contributed

It’s also notable for being one of the first properties in the area that had electricity, and it still features all mod-cons. For guests, they can add on a catering or concierge service, among other perks. 

There have been some interesting visitors over the decades.

Bedroom | Contributed

In the 1950s, the Queen Mother stayed here, and the area sparked her interest in the nearby Barrogill Castle, which she later purchased and renamed the Castle of Mey.

The property also had a stint as a hotel and almost became a recording studio for Led Zeppelin, when Jimmy Page, who reopened Caithness’ rebuilt Philip’s Harbour in 1979, showed some interest in the property while it was on the market in 1974. 

library | Contributed

In 2018, the Dunnett family acquired the estate, when they returned to the village of their ancestors from 200 years ago. 

A stay at House of the Northern Gate starts from around £1100 per night, www.houseofthenortherngate.com