Forss House

My paw-rents took me with them for an overnight stay at Forss House Hotel. We had a gorgeous big room - it was so paw-sh and it had a fabulous big copper bath (unfortunately, out of hounds to me!)……. no ruffing it here! I got a great walk along the river and in the lovely grounds ….. just my pup of tea! There was a special “hound bag” for me in our room, with a ball and some treats …… oh, yappy days. The paw-rents said their dinner was delicious and I was able to join them when they had drinks in the well stocked bar …… ulti-mutt relaxation. I was allowed in the Conservatory at breakfast - it may seem far-fetched but I even got a sausage all for myself……. bone appetit! The staff were lovely and treated us all like a fur-end. I truly had a ball - big round of a-paws to Forss House for a fabulous stay …… I’m mutts about it ……as they say - I’ll be Bark! Harris and his Paw-rents.

This is a proper Victorian-style country house hotel, filled with fishing memorabilia. Room was very comfortable, bathroom well-fitted with a separate bath and shower and masses of hot water to soak in. Excellent restaurant for breakfast and dinner - needed as there's really nothing much anywhere nearby at all special. Ideal for visiting the Flow peat bog country - spectacular.

We were lucky enough to be gifted a voucher for an afternoon tea in Forss House which we were looking forward to using after previously experiencing the quality of service they pride themselves on. Unfortunately my visit was no where near up to the standard I was hoping for. Upon booking over email I specified that 1 of the party were Gluten Free to which I received an email to say that providing for Gluten Free was not a problem. After a large plate of delicious goodies was set down in front of us in the dining room I checked with the waitress to say that I had placed an order for 1 gluten free afternoon tea. After a bit of too-ing and fro-ing, and a rather sparse plate being set down in front of me it appeared that my dietary requirement was never passed onto the kitchen, who under such last minute notice, did well to provide anything for me at all. After this poor start and no real apology from staff we were then given a pot of hot water to refill our empty teapot instead of the ‘fresh pot’ that we had asked the waiter for, resulting in such weak and watered down tea that we did not bother drinking it. My husband really enjoyed his afternoon tea and we have enjoyed meals here before that are up to the standard that Forss House pride themselves on. However after our experience this afternoon I will not be returning quickly. A word of warning to anyone with dietary requirements. Check, double check and triple check so you are not disappointed like I was this afternoon.

Our ferry back to Orkney was cancelled due to wind so we needed somewhere to stay for an extra night. Having driven past this hotel many times I always imagined it was expensive but when I looked online we were pleasantly surprised to see the rate for that night so we booked room only. We had a lovely room behind the bar and the highlight was the beautiful metal bath in the en-suite which was down a few steps. We didn't have dinner there but we enjoyed a few beers and gins in the bar and ended up bumping to some fellow Orcadians who were also staying there as a result of the cancelled boat. We plan to look out for one of the dinner, B&B offers that they sometimes offer during the quieter months. Although we didn't have time there are walks through the woods. The hotel has a lovely 'olde-worlde' feel to it and I look forward to getting back.

Took my daughter for afternoon tea my daughter is coealic I emailed and phoned to check if could cater for her which they said they could. When we arrived they said there had been a mistake. My daughter was given a sandwich pictured below and 1 cake was gf which was on plate with all other gluten items and probably handled along with the gluten items which has huge cross contamination issues. We left after 25 mins as the whole experience had been ruined for my daughter and was left to feel awkward. I would not recommend this pls e for people with allergies. I was using a voucher which was wasted and glad I wasn’t paying as is refuse Tonto’s for this sub standard service.