Afternoon Tea at The Torridon: A Highland Retreat of Mist, Mountains and Timeless Comfort
The Torridon Resort at dusk, a grand Highland Victorian country house set against dramatic mountain scenery.
This afternoon tea experience is part of my personal collection of the very best afternoon teas in the UK. Among them, The Torridon stands out as the finest afternoon tea in the Scottish Highlands and without question one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the UK due to its extraordinary setting, atmosphere and sense of place.
Remote, romantic and deeply connected to its wild surroundings, this is not just afternoon tea. It is a full Highland experience.
Read also: Christmas Afternoon Tea at Bovey Castle: A Cosy Devon Tradition
There are places where afternoon tea becomes more than a tradition.
It becomes a complete experience, a meeting between landscape, history and quiet luxury. The Torridon is one of those rare places.
Located at the edge of a sea loch in the remote reaches of Wester Ross, The Torridon is a former Victorian hunting lodge turned luxury Highland hotel. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, ancient woodland and open water, it feels wonderfully cut off from the rest of the world. This is a place made for slowing down.
And few things suit that pace better than afternoon tea.
Afternoon Tea at Restaurant 1881
Afternoon tea is served in Restaurant 1881, the hotel’s elegant main dining room. It is a calm and classical restaurant space with traditional seating, large windows and a restrained, timeless atmosphere that suits the ritual of afternoon tea beautifully.
The rhythm is unhurried. The room is quiet but never stiff. It feels like a place where you are meant to sit for a while.
The dining room at The Torridon, where afternoon tea is served with stunning views across the loch and surrounding mountains.
Finger Sandwiches
The savoury tier was a refined Highland take on tradition, served on delicate white and green china decorated with tiny golden bees.
Cucumber on brown bread was fresh and crisp.
The egg mayonnaise was soft and perfectly seasoned.
A locally caught trout sandwich reflected the hotel’s strong focus on sustainability and local produce, and was served in place of salmon for that very reason. It paired beautifully with both tea and a chilled glass of white wine.
We enjoyed a local Highland beer with the sandwiches, which worked surprisingly well with the trout.
Traditional finger sandwiches paired with a local Cromarty Brewing Co. lager, offering a relaxed Highland twist.
Scones
The scones were warm, lightly dusted with icing sugar and served with clotted cream, jam and lemon curd. Soft inside with just enough structure. Exactly what you hope for when you break one open.
Freshly baked scones, lightly golden and served warm as a part of the afternoon tea experience.
Pâtisserie
The sweet tier leaned towards elegant modern patisserie. A soft lemon mousse in pale green tones. A rich chocolate slice crowned with whipped Chantilly. And a delicate vanilla and caramel creation with golden details. Light enough to enjoy fully, yet indulgent enough to feel special.
A selection of refined pastries, carefully presented as part of The Torridon’s afternoon tea.
The Ritual of Tea
The teapot arrives wrapped in a knitted cosy, a small but charming detail that perfectly matches the atmosphere of the hotel. The tea selection is generous, from classic black teas to herbal and Highland-inspired blends.
Afternoon tea at The Torridon, served on delicate china with freshly brewed tea and handcrafted pastries.
Served in fine bone china with soft green floral details, the entire presentation feels calm, comforting and quietly luxurious. This is not a rushed experience. Time stretches gently here.
Finely crafted bone china teacup with a traditional botanical motif, accompanied by a fluted saucer in a soft green glaze and a polished silver spoon.
Walking on the Estate before or after Tea
One of the most beautiful things about afternoon tea at The Torridon is how naturally it fits into an entire day at the hotel.
A gentle woodland walk through pine forest, where the pace slows and time outdoors becomes part of the experience.
It is perfect to enjoy a walk on the estate either before or after your tea. There are several marked walking routes across the grounds, through woodland, along the loch and towards the surrounding hills. The landscape constantly shifts with the weather, sometimes dramatic and misty, sometimes soft and sunlit.
You can go for a walk first and then step inside for afternoon tea in the warmth. Or enjoy your tea first and head out afterwards for fresh Highland air. Both feel equally perfect.
Charlie and Fido pawsing by the loch, quietly soaking up the view and the stillness around them.
The View over Loch and Mountains
Through the windows, the landscape unfolds like a painting. Still water of the loch in the foreground, layered mountain ridges behind it, often wrapped in mist and cloud. On our visit, low clouds slid slowly down the slopes, revealing patches of autumn colour in gold, rust and deep green.
It is, without question, one of the most beautiful settings for afternoon tea in Scotland. The view becomes part of the experience itself.
A wide view across Upper Loch Torridon, framed by open fields and the rugged Highland landscape.
The Torridon as a Hotel Experience
The Torridon is more than just a place to stay for afternoon tea. It is a full destination in itself.
The hotel is exceptionally cosy, with deep armchairs, fireplaces, dark wood, soft lighting and a calm Highland lodge atmosphere that makes you immediately relax. There are several sitting rooms and drawing rooms where guests gather for drinks, conversation and quiet moments by the fire.
One of the most striking interior details is found in one of these drawing rooms. Here, the ceiling is richly decorated with carved wooden beams forming a dramatic geometric pattern, with zodiac symbols in gold and a central medallion inscribed with “Comtissa de Lovelace”. It is an intimate, historic and atmospheric room, perfect for a pre-dinner drink or a quiet whisky after a long day outdoors.
The hotel also features a large and impressive whisky bar with an extraordinary collection, rich leather chairs and a warm, intimate mood. It is exactly the kind of place you imagine ending the evening with a dram by the fire.
The Torridon Bar, home to an extensive whiskey collection and warm, classic Highland interiors.
In addition to afternoon tea, The Torridon offers refined evening dining, including tasting menus that highlight seasonal Scottish produce and local ingredients in a very elegant way.
One of the Best Afternoon Teas in Scotland
The afternoon tea at The Torridon is, without doubt, one of the finest I have experienced in Scotland. It is certainly the best afternoon tea in the Highlands and easily among the very best in the UK.
Not because it is overly extravagant, but because it is perfectly balanced. The setting, the food, the service, the walks on the estate, the view and the comforting warmth of the hotel all come together into one seamless experience.
If Bovey Castle offers English countryside elegance and tradition, then The Torridon offers romance, wilderness and the deep, moody beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
This is a truly superb afternoon tea and absolutely worth the journey.
Highland cattle are kept on the property and are a familiar sight in the surrounding landscape.
Practical Information
Location: The Torridon, Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands
Experience: Afternoon Tea at Restaurant 1881
Prices: Around £50–£55 per person for Classic Afternoon Tea (prices may vary by season)
Dog friendly: Yes. The Torridon is a dog-friendly hotel. Dogs are welcome in designated areas and sitting rooms, but not in the main restaurant. Let the staff know in advance so they can arrange the best possible seating for you.
Atmosphere: Refined, cosy, historic, calm, deeply connected to nature
Perfect for: A Highland escape, romantic getaways, walkers and hikers, special occasions, slow luxury weekends and anyone seeking peace, scenery and atmosphere
Parking: Free parking on the estate with easy access to the main entrance
Dress code: Smart casual is perfect. No formal dress required
Reservations: Booking in advance is recommended due to the hotel’s remote location
Hotel website: You can find menus, opening hours and availability on the official The Torridon website: (https://thetorridon.com).
How to Get There
By car:
Driving is the easiest and most flexible way to reach The Torridon. The hotel is located on the NC500 route.
Approximate driving times:
- 1 hour 30 minutes from Inverness
- 5 hours from Edinburgh
- 4 hours 30 minutes from Glasgow
The roads are scenic but rural, especially the final stretch, so allow extra time for single-track sections and photo stops.
By train:
The nearest train station is Achnasheen, around 40 minutes from The Torridon by taxi or pre-booked transfer.
By air:
The closest airport is Inverness Airport (INV), about 1 hour and 45 minutes away by car.
By taxi or private transfer:
The hotel can arrange transfers from Achnasheen station or Inverness Airport if you prefer not to drive.
Best way to travel:
I highly recommend travelling by car, as it gives you complete freedom to enjoy the breathtaking Highland scenery and explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
Driving through the Highlands, where the landscape quietly sets the mood.
The History of The Torridon
The Torridon was originally built in 1887 as a Victorian hunting lodge and hotel in the Scottish Baronial style. From the very beginning, it was created as a place of hospitality for travellers drawn to the dramatic landscapes of Wester Ross for fishing, stalking and adventure.
Over the decades, The Torridon established itself as a refined Highland retreat, offering elegant accommodation in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Scotland.
In the early 2000s, the hotel entered a new chapter when it was purchased by private owners who undertook a careful and respectful restoration of the building. Their vision was to preserve its historic character while elevating it to a modern luxury hotel with sustainability, local produce and understated elegance at its core.
Today, The Torridon is known for its strong focus on local sourcing, sustainability, exceptional Highland hospitality and refined dining experiences. It remains deeply connected to the landscape around it, just as it was more than a century ago.
Some of the images featured in this article are courtesy of The Torridon.
Coming Up
Coming up on the blog is my full experience of the tasting menu at The Torridon, where we enjoyed a refined multi-course dinner focused on seasonal Scottish ingredients and local produce.