Local Heroes: Jo Wyke, The Melvich Hotel
When we initially launched The Rough Guide to the North Coast 500 in eBook format in May 2018, we sought out some insider tips from canny locals along the route: our very own local heroes. We turn the spotlight on one to Jo Wyke from The Melvich Hotel and learn more about her recommendations for the best North Coast 500 experiences…
Tell us about yourself
I lived most of my life in Glasgow but have made Melvich my home for the last ten years. I am now balancing my own Fawlty Towers-esque hotel life with an enterprising three-year-old and an enthusiastic golden retriever.
What does the North Coast 500 mean to you?
The North Coast 500 has essentially opened the gate to the north Highlands and brought plenty more friendly faces to look out over our golden beach here in Melvich. We’ve enjoyed having it to ourselves for a while now, but it’s always better to share the view.
What inspires you most about your area?
The beach potential is endless and we are daily visitors. Surfing, running, shell- and driftwood-collecting, dog-walking and Frisbee-throwing, toddler-exploring, bear-hunting, castle-building, problem-solving, calorie-burning, fish-catching and sand-encrusted sandwich-eating. And that’s just one afternoon in July.
What local products should people look out for on the route?
The chocolate treats from the Highland Patissier (based in Ardgay) will blow your mind, but you can find plenty of local delicacies all along the route. The north coast is rife with small businesses making and creating – food, drink & artisan craft are top of the list. I love exploring with the wee one in Lotte Glob’s sculpture garden at Laid and we were even gifted a piece of her work on our wedding anniversary which now has pride of place. Lisa Poulsen from Inspired by Caithness is doing beautiful work digitally and Holy Grass vodka from Dunnet Bay Distillery is an essential ingredient in my drinks cupboard!
I also live in a village where I am surrounded by incredibly talented people who bake, make, create, contribute and invent every day as part of their daily lives. Village hall events, school and community gatherings, birthdays, celebrations, Christmas and Easter – The sense of community spirit is overwhelming and the home baking or artwork that is contributed as a result, simply off the charts. That side of my brain doesn’t work too well, but I’m hoping it will rub off eventually…
Any recommendations on where to eat?
I hear the Melvich Hotel stone baked wood fired pizzas are amazing!
On the other hand, I also love eating at the Blue Door Diner, Sunday roasts from Cat at Borgie Lodge with the fam and friends, catch up coffees at Cardosi’s and very rare snazzy special occasions at Forss House Hotel.
Best view?
Sitting on the wall in our garden, with a morning coffee watching Small and Mad Dog while they play, framed by the most incredible Melvich Beach and Pentland Firth backdrop.
If I have to leave the building, then it would be a toss-up between sun down on Achmelvich Beach or the view from the top of Stac Pollaidh. Both beautiful spots with special memories.
Soundtrack to your North Coast 500 journey?
These days it’s more likely to be Peppa Pig’s Bing Bong song or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Adult driving tunes would include playlists from my younger days as I am completely out of touch unless it’s nursery rhymes… Alternatively there is no better way to see the route than by foot and my favourite running soundtracks are mainly podcasts – Kermode and Mayo, West Wing Weekly, Reasons to be Cheerful and Nerdist among the many.
