Smoo Cave Hotel, Lairg

Official site of the Smoo Cave Hotel - www.smoocavehotel.co.uk

The Smoo Cave is off the main road, but well signposted, before reaching Durness (if travelling west) or after leaving the village (if travelling east). It's a basic hotel bar with a pool table, stone walls and fireplace (with a solid fuel stove) and parquet floor. There are the usual Scottish fonts but no real ales. However, three bottled beers from the Orkney brewery were available on my visit earlier this month: Northern Lights, Red MacGregor and Dark Island. These were kept in the refrigerated display cabinet, so if you want to be able to taste what you're drinking, you have to ask for one from the store.

Official site of the Smoo Cave Hotel - www.smoocavehotel.co.uk