Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A stone inn with a low white wall and picnic tables stands beside a coastal road.
Easter Ross

Balintore Inn

A village inn by the harbour at Balintore, with rooms, hearty food, a beer garden and views over the Moray Firth, right beside the Mermaid of the North.

Call
Welcome

In Balintore, the middle of the three Seaboard villages, a long, low stone inn sits by the road along the shore, with a white wall and picnic tables out front and the Moray Firth beyond.

It is the village's inn in the old sense: a bar, a restaurant and rooms for the night.

The food is hearty and the portions generous, the lamb and the mac and cheese among the dishes people remember. Inside there is a fire for cooler days, and plenty of seats with a view over the water; outside there are tables and a beer garden for the sun. There is even a charger for electric cars.

Its neighbour on the shore is the bronze Mermaid of the North, sitting on her rock, and many people come in straight from seeing her. The Shandwick Stone and the shore walks of the Seaboard are close by. Hours vary through the year, so check before you go.

Close byHilton of CadbollThe next village north.2 min by roadSee itRocky shoreline curves towards a coastal village beneath low hills
Before you go

The inn serves food and drink and has rooms; ring ahead or check its listing on Google for the day's hours.

Where
East Street, Balintore, IV20 1UA.
Known for
Hearty food and the view.
Next door
The Mermaid of the North.
Where it is

On East Street in Balintore, by the shore and the Mermaid of the North, IV20 1UA.

Close byThe Seaboard villages.
  1. Mermaid of the NorthMermaid of the NorthThe bronze mermaid on the shore beside it.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Shandwick BeachShandwick BeachUnder a mile3 min by road
  3. AntaAntaUnder a mile2 min by road
  4. Shandwick StoneShandwick StoneA great Pictish cross-slab on the hill.1 mile4 min by road
  5. Hilton of Cadboll StoneHilton of Cadboll Stone1 mile4 min by road
Directions
Rocky shoreline curves towards a coastal village beneath low hillsAttractionsHilton of Cadboll0.5 miles
Grassy coastal path curving above a rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsCadboll Point2.1 miles
Ruined stone church with bell tower surrounded by weathered gravestonesAttractionsFearn Abbey2.1 miles
Weathered standing stone against a sandstone wall behind green railingsAttractionsArdjachie Stone7.5 miles
Ornate lamppost beside a gravel path leading to a stone churchAttractionsTain Museum7.5 miles
Restaurant tables laid with cutlery beside large windows overlooking the streetRestaurantsGreens Restaurant7.5 miles
Sandstone station building with blue "Platform 1904" sign above the entranceRestaurantsPlatform 18647.7 miles
Single-storey clubhouse with terrace tables, rockery garden and lawn under grey skiesAttractionsTain Golf Club8.0 miles
White single-storey building with "Inver Inn" lettering under a dark skyRestaurantsInver Inn8.3 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the inn, and when each is next free.

A grand stone mansion glows with lit windows at dusk, bare autumn branches framing the facade.Links House at Royal Dornoch
  • To stay
  • In Dornoch
  • 10 miles from the Balintore Inn
Check datesCulbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Easter Ross
  • 12 miles from the Balintore Inn
Check datesLiving room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 12 miles from the Balintore Inn
Check datesA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Easter Ross
  • 12 miles from the Balintore Inn
Free 17–19 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in Easter RossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.