Balnagown’s Best Businesses
A local directory for Balnagown guests
antiques
Gardiner & Gardiner
2 High Street, Cromarty, IV11 8UZ
The door is open! This period shop with a 19th century unique Scottish wrought iron frontage, in the beautiful historic town of Cromarty, sees Helen Gardiner bring to fruition her 50+ years in Antiques & Style.
For over 20 years in London Helen was privileged to deal with many of the best decorators in the world ….. and a few of them have since visited Cromarty! During the last 12 or so years Helen has also been appearing as an antiques expert on daytime UK television.
Helen’s shop is open seven days a week but do please phone ahead as she might well be away on a buying trip.
Tel: 01381 600853 Mobile: 07952589836
Email: [email protected]
Beauty
Aspen Spa
Hartfield, Tain, IV19 1NH
Aspen Spa is an award-winning boutique day spa and salon with locations in Tain & Dornoch. At Aspen Spa it’s all about the experience. Their dedicated team, high quality treatments and luxurious, secluded surroundings will ensure that you enjoy every moment of your spa experience.
Tel (Tain): 01862 892233
Tel (Dornoch): 01862 811022
Email: [email protected]
Galleries
Browns Gallery
Castle Brae, Tain, IV19 1AJ
Browns Gallery initially started life as a framing workshop catering to the needs of local artists and the public alike. Twenty-five years on they make frames for some of Scotland’s leading artists who have come together over the years to exhibit in the gallery. Browns Gallery offers a wide range of framing solutions using highest quality archival materials and techniques to make bespoke frames that best complement, preserve and protect the artwork. All frames are made by hand in workshops and their friendly team are happy to advise on the best solution that suits the artwork, or customers’ requirements.
There have been artists living and working around this area for a long time. Opening the gallery simply brought a much-needed focus to what had previously gone unnoticed. The ambition was simple – to show the best work being produced in the Highlands, and to make this accessible to a wider audience. To this day, Browns strives to present art that challenges the imagination, surprises and, at times, confronts. For them it has always been about connecting the artists with the people who walk through the door. Hopefully the rich variety of work on the walls offers something for all.
Tel: 01862 893884
Email: [email protected]
Balnagown’s Favourites…
General Stores
Dornoch Stores
12 Castle Street, Dornoch, IV25
Dornoch Stores are two family-owned, interconnected shops located on Castle Street, Dornoch: The Hardware Shop and The General Store.
Both stores have a wide selection of everything for the everyday but also for high days and holidays. From a phone charger and a new walking jacket to a new casserole dish or surfboard. They have everything you need for your garden or DIY project. If you need to be pointed in the right direction the helpful staff in the Hardware Store will help you find just what you’re looking for.
The General Store has a huge range of local chocolates, honey, charcuterie and cheeses and will happily help with ideas for a quick evening meal and a local beer, or a full banquet with champagne.
Tel: 01862 811288
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS
Dornoch Bookshop
High Street, Dornoch, IV25 3SH
Dornoch Bookshop should be at the heart of every community. A place that you can comfortably browse. Friendly staff that are interested in you and your choices. I have seen young children in silence, completely absorbed. There is something for all the family, from the classics and works of great meaning to a beach read.
Befitting a local book shop they also handily stock stationary, and a few out of the ordinary and distinctive little gifts.
And should you be in need of a boost Anthony mans their charming Italian coffee cart parked next to entrance. It should give you the energy for another little look.
Tel: 01862 810165
Email: [email protected]
Shopping
Campbell’s of Beauly
The Carnegie Courthouse, Castle Street, Dornoch, IV25 3SD
Also located at: Highland Tweed House, High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BU
Established in 1858, Campbell’s of Beauly is an iconic privately owned, family-run country tailor and outfitters with Royal Warrants to Her Majesty The Queen and The Prince of Wales. Campbell’s is a thriving retail business as well as a busy tailoring workshop. The retail emporium is an experience in itself, with a truly original and characterful charm to its rustic and vintage appearance. The alchemy of the original fixtures and fittings with the contemporary products sold today creates a unique appearance and experience.
Employing a full-time tailor and four seamstresses in their tailoring department, all Campbell’s bespoke garments are made on site and the Campbell’s name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Tel (Dornoch): 01862 857197
Tel (Beauly): 01463 782239
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Wherever I wander,
Robert Burns
Wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands,
Forever I love.
Shopping
The Jail
Castle Street, Dornoch, IV25 3SD
In the heart of Dornoch is the county of Sutherland’s 19th century jail. In 2000 it was transformed into a spacious and contemporary store now offering superb gifts, luxury cashmere and clothing as well as jewellery and accessories.
Tel: 01862 810555
Email: [email protected]
Shopping
The Old School
High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BX
Old School Beauly is an award-winning mini department store set in a beautifully refurbished former Victorian school. Specialising in Scandi-Scottish clothing, design led gifting and ceramics. Shopping heaven and a Highland welcome to boot!
Tel: 01463 783273
Email: [email protected]
Shopping
Cromarty Pottery
48A Shore Street, Cromarty, IV11 8XL
Cromarty Pottery, situated in the beautiful Highland town of Cromarty, produces unique, handmade, domestic pottery ware. Each piece is designed, created with love, and fired on the premises. They reflect the beauty of both the Highland landscape and its inhabitants, and the subject matter ranges from people to frogs or highland cows.
The pottery produces a vast array of pottery ware from mugs to jugs, bowls, and vases. All items are food safe, dishwasher, microwave and oven proof.
Tel: 01381 600 701
Restaurants
Luigi
1 Castle Street, Dornoch, IV25 3SN
Luigi is a contemporary, intimate café restaurant centrally located in the charming coastal town of Dornoch. Evenings bring a touch of formality, but the warmth and charm of the staff and owners along with the mouth-watering fare make any time spent here rather wonderful. The menu varies with the season and the chef’s inclination; often continental with an emphasis on local seafood.
Tour Companies
Ecoventures
Victoria Place, Cromarty, IV11 8YE
Get out on the big blue and explore the Cromarty and Moray Firths brimming over with wildlife. Their experienced crew will search out both the bird and marine life that inhabits the area. If the gods of the sea are kind you may spot a dolphin or a seal, and maybe even a minke whale. Discover the fascinating past and present of the area in their 12-seater RIB. It’s a small scale and sensitive way to discover the local wildlife.
Ecoventures adhere to the Dolphin Space Programme. Clients will be reassured to know that they never feed, harass, disturb, or chase marine and birdlife.
Tel: 01381 600323
Email: [email protected]
Tour Companies
Highland Explorer
47 High Street, Invergordon, IV18 0DG
They offer transportation all over the North Highland region, including rail and airport transfers, to golf venues, whisky distilleries and to local restaurants. Their tours combine some of the best attractions with scenic routes and great food and drink and they arrange and conduct all manner of excursions, from fishing to off-road biking and private boat trips.
Tel: 0131 558 3738
Email: [email protected]
Tour Companies
Liquid Footprints
Liquid Footprints is a small family business based in the Scottish Highlands. Specialising in bespoke canoeing, sea kayaking, mountain guiding, skiing and gorge scrambling trips, they ensure that each trip is tailored to the individual client.
Tel: 07768 095 228
Email: [email protected]
Ffordes Photographic
Ffordes Photographic is a family-run independent photographic specialist, Founded in 1960. We are based in the beautiful highlands of Scotland just outside the village of Beauly.
Working from a converted church with the countryside on our doorstep, we have over 100 years of combined photographic knowledge. Helpful advice and good service is guaranteed whether you need a lens cap, binoculars or a full professional camera setup.
We specialize in the sale of new and used photographic equipment ranging from cameras and lenses to tripods, camera bags and small accessories. We also stock a large range of binoculars and spotting scopes for nature observation.
We supply equipment from all the major photographic and optic brands including Canon, Nikon, Leica, Fujifilm, OM System, Sigma, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Pentax, Shimoda, Benro, Tenba, Opticron, Hawke, Swarovski, Opticron etc. We also stock 35mm, 120 and 5×4 film
