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  • A small house with a brown tiled roof white door and pointed windows surrounded by plants and trees at Gingerbread House in Mey near Thurso
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Gingerbread House

(Ref. 1157527)

Mey near Thurso, Highland Show on map

Customer rating 4.5

Sykes rating

  • 2 Guests

  • 1 Bedroom

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets: No

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Seaside
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • lovely (7)
  • no (7)
  • cottage (6)
  • our (5)
  • stay (5)
  • cosy (3)

10 Customer Reviews

  • "No TV. No phone signal (with my provider at least) but decent internet, so if you'd like it can be a true escape!"

    That said I could not fault this property. Cosy quiet cottage in a great location for exploring this wonderful area. The owners contacted me regularly by text to ensure we were enjoying our stay. Our favourite dining venue was the North Sands Hotel (short drive). I picked locally sourced off menu and was not disappointed. The ferry trip across to the Orkneys was amazing. The Castle is great with local people who work there sharing their experiences with the royals. Had a great time here. The local people are ever so friendly.

    Thank you so much Danny. We look forward to welcoming you and Carole back soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Daniel5.0Sep 2025

  • "It is a lovely and cosy holiday-house, very good to reach and from there you can do a lot of wonderful side-trips along the cost and in the inner-country."

    The owner is very friendly and helpful. We had a pleasant week there.

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We are really pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay and found the location convenient for getting around. It was a pleasure to host you, and we are glad we could be of help during your stay. You're always welcome back anytime. Safe travels and hope to see you again in the future! Best regards Ellen Property Owner

    Reviewed by Martina3.8Aug 2025

  • "There was a large marquee standing in front of the cottage when we arrived so couldn't get parked and unpacked."

    Had to listen to the marquee being dismantled until seven thirty in the evening which was very unsettling and stressful. I was then stung by a wasp and we had no wi-fi. A terrible start to our holiday. I sent a text to Sykes about the wi-fi password not working but they didn’t reply until the night before we were due to leave. Also there are no instructions for the complicated oven and the induction hob was faulty. The hob just kept flashing 'H'. Also no coasters to place drinks on and no hairdryer. Another issue was the bath shower which was also faulty. I ended up scolding my leg as the cold water comes out the shower head and the hot water comes out the taps. Could be a lovely little cottage if the above issues were addressed.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your stay got off to such an unsettling start and that several aspects of the cottage didn’t meet expectations. That’s certainly not the experience we want our guests to have, and we understand how frustrating it must’ve been. We will look into the issues you have raised because your thoughtful observations help us ensure future guests have a smoother, enjoyable stay—and for that, we’re genuinely grateful." many thanks Ellen Property Owner

    Reviewed by Marion2.5Jul 2025

  • "The cottage was beautifully clean also in a very nice location and it had everything we needed the garden was also lovely as well I would definitely go back there again and also recommend to family and friends."

    10/10 for me.

    Thank you so much Darren, We look forward to welcoming you back again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Darren5.0Jul 2025

  • "A most enjoyable stay, cottage well positioned for touring that part of Scotland."

    A minor hiccup, there were no instructions for using the oven. Would thoroughly recommend the property and the area.

    Thank you so muchfor your review Reverend. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. Apologies again for the Oven instructions. We have since replaced them. We look forward to welcoming you both again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by W5.0Jun 2025

  • "Excellent place to stay thoroughly enjoyed our week away in lovely location!"

    Thank you for your kind review. We look forward to welcoming you again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Philp5.0May 2025

  • "Perfect base for exploring the north east coast"

    Thank you for your kind review. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Susan4.7Apr 2025

  • "It was a lovely cottage and comfortable."

    I was surprised there was no tv or hairdryer. Looking back at the listing I can see now that neither were listed. However these two items are normally standard. Whilst I was staying there alone I managed with the facilities to cook, but there were no dishes to cook anything. I managed with the one baking tray but would have been good to have some dishes to go in the oven and another baking tray for the oven.

    Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and we will look into the issues you have raised. Kind regards Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lisa3.8Mar 2025

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at Gingerbread House, it was warm, cosy and very comfortable, everything you could want for a holiday home."

    Both the owner Ellon and Katie the cleaner were really helpful and gave us lots of great tips. The house is a great base for travelling around, John o Groats is only 10 minutes and Thurso about 20 minutes in the car. Dunnet Bay beach and forest are a must, and the little road opposite the house that leads to the Castle of Mey gives a nice circular walk on a tar mac surface that will take you past the Harrow harbour and back up into the village of Mey, there is a rough beach on this road as well. As this was a winter break we were really blessed with the weather and got some great sunsets/snow/frost and sun. We found plenty to do and hope to return. So once again a big thank to the owner for the lovely house and also the beautiful welcome basket that was filled with Christmas goodies.

    It was an absolute pleasure having you both over at Gingerbread House Mrs Middleton. Thank you for your kind words we appreciate your feedback and it encourages even more. We look forward to welcoming you again. Elle Property Owner

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Dec 2024

  • "A lovely comfortable clean cottage and we really enjoyed our stay, everything we required was there, although we did notice when we made our booking there was no TV or radio do we did take our own small smart tv which we have which was just the job for us as nights do draw in early at the end of October!"

    Only one small negative was that the shower in the bath was rather difficult to use, the shower curtains didn’t close all the way around & a non slip bath mat really would make it much safer to use for a shower as it’s very slippery.

    Thank you so much for your valuable feedback Dawn we really appreciate it and we are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and please accept our apologies for the shower and curtains being a problem we are in the process of changing a few things including the shower to a much more user friendly as we bought the place with it including the shower curtains. There will be a lovely slippery mat waiting for you both and all our other guests should you wish to book with us again. We did think about having a TV but we thought the tranquil one gets from not hearing so much bad news while on holiday on TV and romantically connecting and catching up with your beloved would be worthwhile. However we will consider it. Also Dawn thank you both so much for leaving the house as though it was your own it was very clean. Thank you. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Dawn4.7Oct 2024

How reviews work

Our review scores come directly from guests who have stayed with us and chosen to share their feedback.

After their stay, guests can leave a star rating and comments if they wish. The score you see (out of 5 stars) is the average of all the reviews we've received from those guests.

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Summary

  • Single-storey
  • One king-size bedroom
  • Bathroom with freestanding bath, shower over, basin, WC
  • Kitchen with woodburning stove
  • Sitting room
  • Conservatory
  • Oil central heating
  • Electric oven, fridge and freezer, ceramic hob, microwave, washing machine, washing line outside, electric drier pod in the summerhouse, kettle, toaster, hairdryer
  • WiFi
  • Fuel and power and starter pack of logs inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Private driveway parking
  • Enclosed rear garden with gravelled area, decking, lawn and furniture
  • Sorry no pets and no smoking
  • Shop 0.3 miles, pub 0.1 mile, beach 0.2 miles
  • Note: There is a Good Housekeeping Bond of £150
  • Please note; there is a laundrette in Thurso where there are drying facilities
  • Please note: The fireplace in the living room is for decorate purposes and only the woodburning stove adjacent to the kitchen can be used
  • Please note: Due to the rural location and poor signal there is no TV or radio at the property, phone and Wi-Fi signal may be intermittent.

The property

Thurso 12.6 miles.

Gingerbread House is a delightful cottage tucked away in the quiet village of Mey, just a stone’s throw from the historic Castle of Mey.

Thoughtfully designed as a true escape, this is a place to slow down and reconnect with nature, with loved ones, or simply with yourself.

With no TV signal to distract you, the cottage invites you to unwind by the fire, enjoy a good book, or listen to the wind rolling in from the sea.

Just a short drive away lies Harrow Head, where seals bask on the rocks and otters slip through the surf.

Surrounded by sweeping coastal landscapes and timeless tranquillity, Gingerbread House offers a rare kind of stillness—a peaceful retreat from the rush of the everyday.

With traditional interiors, a glowing woodburning stove and a handy single-storey layout for maximum ease, this property is ideal for seeking a northerly retreat right at the tip of the Scottish highlands.

Inside, you will be greeted by a well-appointed kitchen, equipped with everything you need to prepare delicious meals throughout your stay.

From here, make your way to the inviting sitting room, where you can unwind with a good book to get lost in.

Continue through to the conservatory, which boasts dining seating, offering a delightful spot to enjoy your meals with views of the garden.

When the day draws to a close, retire to the king-size bedroom, promising a rejuvenating night's sleep ahead of another day of adventures.

The property also benefits from a sleek bathroom, complete with a wonderful freestanding bath and shower over, giving you a choice of how to unwind whether that be a quick rinse or a more private soak in the tub.

Outside, the rear garden is a haven of tranquillity, featuring a gravelled area, decking, and a lawn, all complemented by outdoor furniture in a spacious area.

Here, you can enjoy a spot of alfresco dining or simply sit back and soak up the serene surroundings that back onto the serene woodland, populated with all kinds of wildlife such as deer, stags and birds!

Beyond the comfort of Gingerbread House lies a world of discovery.

Take a short drive to the RSPB Dunnet Head nature reserve, the most northerly point of mainland Britain, and spot beautiful puffins, fulmars and razorbills.

You can also reach the local Anne's Bakery easily by car where you can find their beautiful orangery overlooking excellent landscapes and horses with a lovely garden as they serve delicious desserts and mouthwatering lunches!

For an evening bite of fish and chips and many other hearty meals, look no further than the O'Groats Cafe at John O Groats.

History enthusiasts will be well catered for with the Old St. Peter’s Church, Thurso, a charming piece of Scottish history dating back to the 12th Century and the educational Castlehill Heritage Centre, which beautifully illustrates Caithness's agricultural and industrial past.

Step back in time at the well-preserved Mary Ann's Cottage, offering a unique insight into crofting life in the 19th Century.

Avid walkers will enjoy a stroll through Dunnet Forest, a great spot that offers a variety of different walks so you won't be short on options, plus there is the beautiful butterfly garden!

Discover the secluded beauty of Peedie Sands, a tranquil sandy bay, excellent for a leisurely afternoon stroll.

Round off the day at the Y Not Bar & Grill, where you can tuck into hearty dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

No matter what your preferred holiday activity, Gingerbread House and its stunning surroundings promise a memorable retreat in the heartland of Scotland's ruggedly beautiful north coast.

EPC Rating: Band D

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: HI-00653-F

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

Where you’ll be staying

View on map

THURSO

John O' Groats 14 miles, Wick 20.4 miles.

Thurso is the most northerly town in mainland Scotland and also boasts the country's most northerly railway station! Guests can take a ferry across to Orkney. John O'Groats Ferries offer the popular day trip package of ferry and tour. Orkney is a great place to visit and the ferry crosses regularly throughout the year from Scrabster and Gills Bay. If you take your car then remember to book first! Another great place to visit is the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey, why not walk around the stunning gardens or take the children to the animal farm! Thurso benefits from a pretty seafront location and from here you can see the remains of Thurso Castle. The newer part of the town benefits from wide streets with Sir John's Square at the centre. The town offers a good selection of shops, restaurants and hotels and everything that visitors to the area could possibly need. The Dunnet beach is a fantastic beach to visit! It is also situated perfectly for a visit to John O'Groats, which is just 14 miles away and Durness, where Smoo Cave, Cape Wrath and the Durness Golf Course are well worth a visit.

Please note: The fireplace in the living room is for decorate purposes and only the woodburning stove adjacent to the kitchen can be used.
Please note: There is no iron and hair dryer at the property.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas