Highland Hotel Strathpeffer: Heritage & Guest Review Guide

The Highland Hotel, built in 1911 by the Highland Railway Company to draw passengers to the Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer, now operates under Compass Hospitality after a complex ownership history spanning wars, railway nationalisation, and coach-tour operators. This profile draws on heritage archives, official property listings, and guest review platforms to examine what the hotel offers today and how its past shapes the present experience.

Last checked: 2026-08-01

Location: Centre of Strathpeffer spa resort · Operator: Compass Hospitality · Property type: Victorian spa hotel · Amenities: Restaurant and bar

Who owns the Highland Hotel in Strathpeffer?

The Highland Hotel is owned by Singapore-based Buxani Group and managed by Compass Hospitality, a Bangkok- and UK-based hotel management company. This arrangement dates from a sale brokered by Christie & Co on behalf of the previous owner, Coast & Country Collection, as reported in the property adviser’s press release. Compass Hospitality now operates the hotel under the brand “The Highland Hotel by Compass Hospitality.”

Ownership history in brief

Before the Buxani Group acquisition, the hotel had passed through several hands. After the collapse of Specialist Leisure Group (which operated Shearings Hotels) around 2020, the property was acquired by Bespoke Hotels, according to Highland Tourism. The subsequent sale to Buxani Group placed the hotel under Compass Hospitality’s management.

What this means: The Highland Hotel is now part of a global hospitality group, which may bring more consistent standards than its previous coach-tour-focused era.

What is the history of the Highland Hotel in Strathpeffer?

The hotel’s origins are firmly tied to the railway. The Highland Railway Company commissioned the building in 1911, designed by architect James Russell Burnett in a Bavarian style, to encourage passengers to use the Perth–Inverness line and visit the spa resort. Ross and Cromarty Heritage notes that the hotel occupied a prominent position overlooking the village square.

Victorian spa origins

Strathpeffer itself was described by Highland Guide as “Scotland’s answer to Bath or Harrogate” during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thanks to sulphurous spring waters believed to have healing properties. The hotel was built to capitalise on this spa tourism, with the railway providing direct access.

“This hotel was built by the Highland Railway in the Strathpeffer Spa to the west of their Strathpeffer terminus… the overall appearance being Bavarian in style.”

RAILSCOT

Later developments

During the First World War the hotel was used as a convalescent home for wounded servicemen, and during the Second World War it served as an army billet and later married quarters, according to Ross and Cromarty Heritage. Under the Railway Grouping Act of 1923, ownership passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, and later to British Railways. The hotel was sold out of the British Transport Hotels portfolio in 1958. For much of the late 20th century it operated under the Shearings Coach Group, catering mainly to touring coach parties.

Specialist Leisure Group’s collapse in 2020 forced the hotel to shut for about a year before Bespoke Hotels stepped in. The subsequent acquisition by Buxani Group and appointment of Compass Hospitality marked a fresh chapter, with the hotel repositioning itself as a destination for independent travellers as well as groups.

The bottom line: The Highland Hotel’s heritage is unusually well documented, from railway construction to wartime service and coach-tour heyday, giving it a character that few modern hotels can match.

What is Strathpeffer famous for?

Strathpeffer is a Victorian spa town in Ross and Cromarty, about 5 miles west of Dingwall on the A834. VisitScotland describes it as a “leafy Victorian spa town surrounded by wooded hills.” Its fame rests on the sulphurous mineral springs discovered in the 19th century, which drew health seekers to the resort. The town retains Victorian architecture, a pump room, and a network of walking trails.

Attractions and outdoor activities

For visitors to the Highland Hotel, the village square is a short walk away, offering shops, cafes, and the Strathpeffer Pavilion. The surrounding hills provide hiking and cycling routes, with highlights including the Cnoc Fyrish viewpoint and the Black Rock Gorge. Komoot lists top 20 attractions in the area, many within a 30-minute drive.

“Strathpeffer became Scotland’s answer to Bath or Harrogate, thanks to the discovery of sulphurous spring waters believed to have healing properties.”

Highland Guide

Why this matters: The hotel’s location in a historic spa town gives guests easy access to both heritage and nature, reinforcing its appeal for history enthusiasts and active travellers.

What is the most prestigious hotel in Scotland?

This question appears in People Also Ask. Among historic properties, contenders often include The Balmoral in Edinburgh, Gleneagles in Perthshire, and Inverlochy Castle in Fort William. The Highland Hotel does not position itself as a prestige property; it is a 3-star historic hotel focused on value and character. However, its railway-built heritage and Victorian spa-town setting give it a unique story that some travellers may find more interesting than a luxury chain.

For those seeking a comparable historic experience, other former railway hotels such as the Balmoral Arms Ballater (covered in our Balmoral Arms Ballater guide) offer a similar blend of heritage and Highland hospitality.

The trade-off: Prestige comes with a price tag; the Highland Hotel prioritises character and affordability over luxury finishes.

Highland Hotel specs and features

Pros and cons of the Highland Hotel

Best for which travellers?

• Couples: The hotel’s historic atmosphere and peaceful setting in a Victorian spa town make it a romantic base for exploring the Highlands. The bar and restaurant offer a quiet evening in.
• Coach tour groups: The hotel has a long history of hosting coach parties, with a large dining room and efficient check-in process. Group bookings are a core part of its business model.
• History enthusiasts: The railway heritage, wartime stories, and Victorian spa connections are a strong draw. The hotel’s architecture and the town’s pump room are within walking distance.
• Spa seekers: While the hotel itself does not have a spa, Strathpeffer’s mineral springs and the nearby Highland Spa (at the Ben Wyvis Hotel) provide wellness options. The hotel is a convenient base for a spa-focused trip.

Alternatives in Strathpeffer and nearby

If the Highland Hotel is fully booked or does not match your preferences, two other options in Strathpeffer are worth considering:

• Ben Wyvis Hotel – A larger Victorian property with a spa and leisure centre, located on the edge of the village. It offers a similar heritage feel but with more modern amenities.
• Strathpeffer Hotel – A smaller, family-run hotel with a more intimate atmosphere, often praised for its personal service and home-cooked food.

For travellers willing to drive 20 minutes to Inverness, Compass Hospitality also operates the Kingsmills Hotel and Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness, both offering different price points and styles.

Our pick: who should book the Highland Hotel?

Related reading: Arrochar Hotel Loch Lomond: Historic Base Review (2025) ? Balmoral Arms Ballater: Guide to This Highland Inn

Frequently asked questions

Sources and further reading

• Ross and Cromarty Heritage – Strathpeffer Commercial (Highland Hotel history)
• RAILSCOT – Highland Hotel Strathpeffer
• Christie & Co – Sale to Buxani Group
• Highland Tourism – Strathpeffer Hotel set to open fresh chapter
• Booking.com – The Highland Hotel
• TripAdvisor – The Highland Hotel by Compass Hospitality
• Expedia – The Highland Hotel
• VisitScotland – Strathpeffer
• Highland Guide – Strathpeffer
• Wikivoyage – Strathpeffer
• The Professional Traveller – Highland Hotel Strathpeffer review
• MyHotelBreak – Highland Hotel Strathpeffer
• Trip.com – The Highland Hotel