Drove up to the Inn.
The entrance into the car park was an obstacle course of water filled pot holes.
The outside of the Inn is not preposessing.
Dirty windows & generally run down appearance.
We entered the Inn through the side entrance & rang a brass bell for attention.
The entrance stank of fish & the Public Bar just stank.
Someone appeared and charged up to our room with my wife & myself a short distance behind. The stair carpetting was pretty grotty.
He opened the bedroom.door and waved vaguely at the bathroom and left us to it.
Our car was visible from our window and we watched as a small boy, about twelve years old, drive a 4x4 vehicle too close to it for comfort.
The bedclothes smelt OK, but several exposed dowels in the double bed framework didn't really appeal. The shower cabinet didn't meet the wall in the bathroom and looked a bit unsafe. The decor was tired and a bit Sixties.
We debated whether to stay for the night at least, but on reflection chickened out.
My wife and I have stayed in various B&B's and Hotels the length and breadth of Scotland and the accommodation offered was the first we have refused to stay in.
My wife handed back the room key and told someone behind the Bar that we wouldn't be staying. He was puzzled , but didn't seem too bothered that we weren't staying.
My wife is an ex Bar Manager and wasn't too impressed by either the drinks gantry or the condition of the bar itself.
I might recommend this Inn to an enemy, but certainly not to a friend.
We find some of the reviews on this site regarding the FBI a bit hard to believe.
My tip would be to stay in Thurso .......... not in Bettyhill and certainly not in the Farr Bay Inn.

For the past 18 months the Farr Bay Inn has been run by a couple from Essex bringing a touch of east London to northern Scotland but for me it didn't work! The food was bland (evening meal and breakfasts) including sausages which seemed to come from a supermarket 'value' range and toast made from thin sliced 'cotton wool' white bread. Not the fare expected in Scottish establishments and compared poorly with other B & Bs on by touring holiday.
The Farr Bay menu in general reflected the convenience foods of southern Britain, rather than the seafaring and farming Highlands, renowned for its local produce, home cooked. The TVs in the rooms couldn't receive programmes and seeing cats sitting on dining tables was a complete turn-off, so on my second, and last, evening I dined elsewhere.
The current Farr Bay Inn website is inaccurate, misleading and out-of-date, referring to the previous owners, and should be closed down or updated.

This is a difficult one, the proprietor's were lovely, the location was superb, the hotel needs work, but as a base for visiting the wonderful surroundings it will do. Can I recommend it, yes, but with the proviso that its not a Travelodge or Holiday Inn Express, but then you won't find them in locations like this!

The FBI is since one year under new ownership. The location is fantastic, just close to a great beach, in front the tourist info with a fantastic cafe.
Karan itself is a wonderful host, she just simply loves her new job! She cooked for me something special and it was very good.

The rooms need a redo - but I am sure, with the time this will be happening too. We would go back anytime one we are in the area.