If you are staying with us at Mackays Hotel in Caithness this summer, we highly recommend attending one of our local Highland Games. These are traditional sports events, which include competitions such as the caber toss, haggis hurl and tug o’ war. There’s also bagpipe music, Highland dancing and other traditional Scottish entertainment. Here in […]
It’s wedding season here in Scotland! June, July and August are the most popular months for tying the knot, mainly due to the warmer weather. We’re gearing up for this year’s summer weddings at Mackays Hotel in Wick and loving every second. Our summer dates fill up quickly, particularly weekends, so if you’re thinking of […]
The far north of Scotland is one of the most romantic places to get married! A place of friendly hospitality, dramatic scenery, rich culture and traditions. Here, we share some inspiration and local suppliers for the perfect Highland wedding at Mackays Hotel… Your Highland wedding venue Choose Mackays Hotel in Wick for weddings of up […]
Are you planning a Scottish vacation from the USA or Canada? Then you must come and visit us in the far north of Scotland for a trip of a lifetime! Visiting Scotland from North America Whether you’re visiting the home of your ancestors, soaking up the history and culture of our ancient land, or simply […]
Are you looking for a great business hotel in the Caithness area? Our welcoming hotel is the perfect base in the far north of Scotland for business travellers. What’s more, we offer special corporate rates on our hotel rooms. So if your company is planning to use us on a regular basis, please get in […]
Some say that Scottish accents are difficult to understand. That may be because we Scots talk quickly, pronounce certain words differently and, in some cases, use completely different words and phrases! It doesn’t help that there are so many different Scottish accents. For example, we Caithnessians up in the far north of the Scottish Highlands […]
Have you tried our afternoon tea yet? A Mackays Hotel afternoon tea is a wonderful opportunity to sit and relax, catch up with friends or treat someone special to a delicious selection of savoury and sweet delicacies. If you allow us 48 hours’ notice with your booking, we’ll freshly prepare everything for you on the […]
If you’re coming up to Wick from Glasgow, you’ll travel through some wonderful places along the way. We suggest the following road trip, to help you make the most of your journey. Suggested 4-day itinerary: Glasgow to Wick This one-way driving itinerary includes 8 stops and less than 8 hours total driving time. We recommend […]
When you visit us here in Scotland, you’ll come across many different national emblems. So today, we’re taking a look at some of these Scottish symbols, to help you understand what they mean and how to identify them. Look out for these flags, symbols and other icons on your travels around Scotland… Scottish Flag The […]
Mackays Hotel made history at the 2022 HITA awards with owners, Ellie and Murray, winning a prestigious award. Read on to find out more . . .
Burns Night is a big one for the Scottish calendar. A celebration that combines the best food, drink, poetry and cheer! It takes place on the evening of 25th January every year, in honour of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland Robert (or Rabbie, as he’s affectionately known) Burns was […]
The Scottish Highlands is famous for many things … scenery, whisky, golf, bagpipes. But one of our favourites is the mighty Highland cow, or Heilan coo. Rest assured, when you come to stay with us at Mackays Hotel in the far north of Scotland, you’re never too far from a fold of these hairy beasts. […]
Halloween might make you think of carved pumpkins, creepy outfits and lots of sugar, but did you know that 31st October is rooted in Scottish tradition? Halloween originates from the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, a pagan harvest celebration, which took place at the end of summer. The Celts believed that the barriers between the […]
St Andrew’s Day is a celebration of all things Scottish, taking place on 30th November each year. Today, we’re taking a look at this national holiday in more detail, and the different ways it’s celebrated across Scotland. Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in Scotland Origins We know Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland, but did […]
Embark on an adventure with this Highland whisky trail, starting in Inverness and then heading north to Thurso. The route covers 145 miles, mainly along the A9 on the northeast coastline, and includes 6 of our favourite Scotch whisky distilleries. Our friendly hotel and holiday accommodation are located near the trail’s end, so you can […]
