Mikael Helies is new head chef at Dornoch Castle hotel

Dornoch Castle Hotel in Sutherland has appointed French chef Mikael Helies as its new head chef.

Helies, from Brittany, has previously worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Switzerland, Hotel L'Ermitage near Zurich, as well as spells in Ireland and Belgium.

In Scotland he has worked at the Muckrack Lodge hotel at Dulnain Bridge, the Marine hotel in Brora and the Kincraig House hotel in Invergordon.

Before joining the team at Dornoch Castle he was head chef at the Teaninich Castle in Alness.