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Scotland is home to many iconic destinations that are known across the world. However, sometimes it is the country's lesser known spots that make for the best staycations . Dingwall is a charming market town nestled at the head of the Cromarty Firth in Ross-shire. It has been a royal burgh since the 13th century and has a population of around 5,400. Something of a hidden gem, Dingwall has plenty of treasures to uncover when visiting. The town is home to historic buildings, fascinating monuments, and much more. Dotted throughout Dingwall, there are many charming businesses and attractions . While walking around, it is definitely worth visiting the Alchemist Gallery, the Courtyard Coffee Shop and Café, and Miss Ying Thai Food and Shop. READ MORE: The best restaurants in Glasgow crowned including fine dining and 'cheap eats' READ MORE: The seaside town near Edinburgh that was named best winter holiday spot in Scotland Elsewhere, the Dingwall Leisure Centre is a community fitness complex that features a swimming pool, a gym, and indoor sports halls. The pool hosts aqua aerobics and family-friendly sessions, in addition to lane swimming and open swimming. One of the most historic destinations around town is the Dingwall Castle Doocot, which is one of the only remaining relics of the medieval fort and royal castle that once stood in Dingwall. Dingwall Castle is thought to have been established by Norse settlers in the area in the 11th century, before falling into ruin hundreds of years ago. Another highlight of the town is the Dingwall Museum, which features a wide array of local artefacts and incredible stories of human exploits that are unique to the area. Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed for the season and will reopen in the new year. In terms of places to stay around Dingwall, a historic castle hotel can currently be booked at a major discount. Through voucher website Wowcher, an overnight stay for two at the Tulloch Castle Hotel is available for £89—a discount of 48 per cent. The Tulloch Castle Hotel dates back to the 12th century, and includes period features such as a 250-year old panelled Great Hall and restored original fireplaces and ceilings. The hotel features 22 en-suite bedrooms, as well as a restaurant that serves freshly prepared Highlands produce. Included in the Wowcher deal is a full Scottish breakfast for two in the morning and a late 12pm checkout. Guests can also upgrade their stay to include a £50 food and drink voucher for dinner at the hotel's restaurant, including vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. For those looking for a more low-key getaway in Dingwall, other accommodation options include The Waverley Inn and The National Hotel. The Waverley Inn features family rooms with private bathrooms, walk-in showers, and televisions, while The National Hotel is a family-run hotel that includes a traditional restaurant serving Scottish and international cuisines. On Tripadvisor , the Tulloch Castle Hotel has a rating of 3.8 out of five. The hotel has received 1,154 reviews on the travel site. One guest shared: "We had a wonderful stay at Tulloch Castle Hotel, the hotel has so much character, the food was good and the host took time to show us around the Hotel/Castle telling us all of the history, would definitely stay here again." Another wrote: "We spent two nights at Tulloch Castle in August. Maybe we had too high expectations, but as a castle, we expected something kind of luxurious. "We did not find that at Tulloch Castle." A third visitor posted: "Beautiful magnificent castle, with big well furnished rooms." More information about the Tulloch Castle Hotel deal can be found on the Wowcher website . Meanwhile, for more details about what you can get up to around Dingwall, see the VisitScotland website .
