Berriedale, Scotland
We were tired; it had been a long day on a trip that was already 10 days in. The drive was long and tiring, and the drivers needed a stop and a shot of caffeine. Everyone also needed a trip to the loo, and there had been nowhere to stop for many miles. Popping up on the horizon at just the right place and time was The River Bothy Tea Room.
We arrived just in time (around 3:45 PM) to this wonderful oasis on the Scottish Coast. The tea room gave us a chance to get some much-needed relief, beverages, and snacks for the road. The staff was so friendly, and they have earned every bit of their 4.9 out of 5 Rating on Google (as of 2026, with over 700 reviews). We could not have asked for a better stop at a better time, and the drive the rest of the way north was much more bearable.
I wish we’d had time to sit and enjoy this tea room and its riverside setting, but they were near closing, and we had a ferry to catch to the Orkney Islands. I highly recommend the delicious baked goods and quality tea that were served. Coming home, I only realized now that this place is highly sought out by people doing the NC 500 Drive or heading to the far north.
Finding the River Bothy Tea Room was a travel gem, and the caffeine boost from my hot tea helped take me to the next destination. If I were making this drive again, I would definitely plan to stop in Berriedale. The current hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. There is plenty of parking, but no locations for large vehicles. When I travel, I have noticed I sometimes have incredible luck and get exactly what I need, right when it is needed. For me, on the drive north, it was a spot of tea, a little wee, and a pleasant pit stop on the way to Orkney.
