Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, The Crask is perhaps Scotland’s most isolated Inn, offering a warm welcome to visitors from around the world.

From November 2020 to February 2021, households may hire out the Crask Inn as a self-catering unit. Click here to find out more.

The Crask Inn is a family-run, fully licenced inn in Sutherland. It is popular with walkers wishing to travel across the nearby hills and munros; fishing groups seeking to fish on the nearby lochs and cyclists taking on the JOGLE route. The Crask is open to all and provides a range of services.

This website has been designed to provide you with all the information you will need to make a booking, find out about The Crask’s history or to explore what The Crask can offer you.

We look forward to welcoming you soon,

Douglas and Denise Campbell.

About The Crask

The Crask Inn stands in wild, expansive country, brooded over by 3156-ft Ben Klibreck, the highest mountain in the district. The original part of the building was constructed around 1815 by the Sutherland Estate and it has since provided welcome refuge for generations of weary travellers in the far north.

Thomas Telford upgraded the nearby road in 1819 and it remains a well-maintained single-track road today. There are no street lights to pollute the clear night skies or to disturb the sheep, which are cared for by former owners Mike and Kai Geldard, who recently gifted The Inn to Bishop Mark Strange of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Mike and Kai now live in the nearby Bunkhouse, which has been converted to the Crask Cottage. Current guests are looked after by Dr Denise and Douglas Campbell on behalf of the Church.

While The Crask is surrounded by rugged country, the welcome inside is still as warm as the peat fire which burns inside the small bar. Denise and Douglas look forward to seeing you at The Crask Inn.

Contact Us

 

Bookings

Bookings may be made in the following ways:

Phone

01549 411 241

E-mail

info@thecraskinn.com

Facebook

Bookings may also be made through Facebook messages.

Find Us

Address

The Crask Inn
By Lairg
Sutherland
IV27 4AB

Video Credit: Gábor Barton

Services

Staying at The Crask

The Crask Inn has 4 individual letting rooms on the first floor. All have been recently refurbished and new furniture has been added. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast costs £65 per night per person. This includes a 3 course home-cooked evening meal and a full Scottish Breakfast. Dogs are welcome. For booking details, click here.

We also have an area suitable for camping and can provide tents on request. For more information, call 01549 411 241.

Food & Drink

The Crask Inn serves a number of snacks from the bar for drop-in customers. We offer a soup of the day, a selection of toasted sandwiches and a variety of scones and cakes, all homemade at The Crask. Hot drinks and soft drinks are available from the bar, as well as an extensive choice of alcoholic beverages, including two draught ales from the Black Isle Brewery and a wide range of Scotch Whiskies and Gins.

For non-residents, a three course home-cooked dinner is available at 7:30pm most evenings for £17.50 per person. This should be pre-booked to avoid disappointment. Phone or e-mail us to confirm a dinner booking.

Worship at The Crask

Having been donated to the Scottish Episcopal Church by its previous owners, The Crask retains a religious role for local residents and guests. Morning Prayer takes place if visitors request it and Evening Prayer takes place every day at 5pm. Informal church services take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12 noon, followed by a shared lunch. All visitors are welcome to join if they wish.

In addition, there is an evening service on the first Saturday of the month at 5pm – please e-mail us for more details.

News

Activities

Cycling

The Crask Inn welcomes cyclists taking part in a variety of challenges and routes. The Inn is a regular stop for cyclists travelling from Land’s End to John O’Groats (or from John O’Groats to Land’s End). It is also located conveniently for cyclists touring the North of Scotland.

Bikes can be safely stored whether you are just dropping in or staying overnight.

Walking

There are several options for walkers at The Crask. Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope are accessible from the Inn and our dining room boasts a fantastic view of Ben More Assynt (see above).

Our peat-burning stove provides an excellent drying facility for those caught in the worst of the Scottish climate.

Fishing

The Crask Inn is close to several fishing locations in Sutherland. The River Tirry and the local lochs, most notably Loch Shin, provide a range of low-cost options for groups of fishermen visiting The Crask Inn. We sell flies for those that require them.

Music

The Crask Inn now holds open music sessions on the first Saturday of each month from 2 – 5pm. The first open music session will take place on May 1st 2018. For more information please contact us.

 

Friends of The Crask

Formed in 2018 by The Most Reverend Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Friends of The Crask group supports the ongoing work at The Crask.

The group draws together individuals and corporate groups from across the world who wish to support the Crask Inn and Church, with the aims of assisting in the restoration and maintenance of The Crask Inn and in developing, maintaining and improving the Christian life and worship of the Crask Church. (SC004655).

Why be a friend? 
The Crask is an historic place of hospitality. Providing shelter and supporting travellers since 1815. Your generosity will help the Inn to keep providing this service for years to come. All Friends are invited to attend the annual Friends event and those who donate more than £20/year will receive a cup of coffee or tea on each visit. Furthermore, Friends will be sent an annual newsletter, either by post or email. Continue reading “Friends of The Crask” →