The Bridge Hotel lies on the banks of the famous Helmsdale River and close to the North Sea. Seals and otters can be seen bobbing around the fishing boats in the harbour, and near by, below a Strath hundreds of deer gently roam the wild outdoors. Built circa 1816 as a traveller’s inn (Ross’s Commercial Inn) and situated in the heart of the village of Helmsdale on the East Coast of Scotland, the building is steeped in history and tradition, positioned at the head of the old Helmsdale River Bridge. Served by two airports – Inverness and Wick – it is conveniently situated on the main axis between Inverness, Thurso and John o’Groats, offering a perfect base for exploring the wonders of the Highlands. The 200 year old building has been transformed by its present owner, conservationist Christian Gross, into a warm and vibrant 21st century country hotel which was referred to as a ‘delight’ by the Sunday Times travel journalist Chris Haslam.

Run by French born Sophie Cointepas, theirs is a partnership that believes in keeping things simple and natural, both in terms of hospitality and the food that is served up in their fine dining restaurant ‘The Green stag’. Despite the fact that the Hotel has undergone extensive renovation and upgrading, there are no televisions in the rooms. Instead, the hotel has invested hugely in the natural history and art of the Highlands, in an effort to keep alive what this region stands for. With the help of the National Museum Scotland, the National Museum of Ireland, as well as local game keepers, stalkers, gillies and fishermen, it has accumulated one of the most unique and unusual collections of local fauna, not to be confused with a ‘trophy gallery’. The art collection consists of over 300 nature paintings ranging from oils to water colours to original prints.

The hotel, whilst completely modernised, with 18 en-suite bedrooms all decorated to a very high standard, retains much of its original charm including the woodwork and paneling which glow with the warmth of open log fires.

The restaurant, which is open to the public, pays homage to Scotland’s best produce, specialising in game and seafood sourced straight from the hills and the sea. The Green Stag doesn’t expose itself to exotic enhancements, trendy ingredients and fusion cooking but delivers hearty fare with the most sought after raw materials of modern eating, served absolutely unembellished. The cooking is healthy, as game and wild fish are naturally organic, helping to keep the environmental footprint of the food to an absolute minimum.

On the menu, traditional game and seafood specialities include consommé of red deer, lobster bisque with cognac, emincée of roe deer Zurichoise, deer and beef carpaccio, woodcock pate, hare pate, red deer pate, red deer stag steaks, rack of roe deer, 42 days hung Caithness fillet of beef, Helmsdale crab claws and Scrabster seabass on a bed of leek and potatoes, to mention but a few.

The more informal Lounge Bar serves all the traditional Scottish soups as well as wide selection of other delicious soups all of which are home made. Beside the soups, Scottish stew, Irish stew, red deer goulash, roe deer ragout, sirloin of beef, ‘bangers and mash’, mussels steamed in wine, smoked salmon sandwiches and assorted Bridge Hotel desserts like Highland Heaven, warm quince compote with ice cream  and frozen honey & cognac cream are also on the menu. The Lounge Bar has also recently been refurbished and is home to an ever growing, fine whisky collection. Over 100 single malts and numerous blended whiskies, both from Scotland and overseas will bring enjoyment to the whisky enthusiast as well as to the interested.

“Fortunate as we are to be situated in the heart of “Europe’s Larder” we would like to acquaint our guests with some of the best foods and drinks harvested from the most outstanding local produce. Wrapped in our unique style we represent what the Highlands stand for providing our guests with a real and memorable experience. At the same time we believe in Swiss hospitality, food with a French touch, good old-fashioned service and a true Scottish welcome.”

We look forward to welcoming you at the Bridge Hotel

Sophie Cointepas