Snorri - thankyou for that. I have these on my list
http://www.dunbius.co.uk/
http://www.morangiebandb.com/
http://www.rossvilla.co.uk/
http://www.bedandbreakfasttain.co.uk/
http://www.hotelbalintore.co.uk/
- the last being a bit out of town, but it does look very nice.
is there no camping closer to Tain than the Dornoch Firth site?
Firstly, I have no connection with any of these establishments, just local knowledge!
Dunbius and Morangie are just across the road from each other.
Ross Villa and B and B Tain are also close to each other, but all four places are within a 15 minute walk of each other. These four are close to other eateries within Tain.
Hotel Balintore is as you say a little off your beaten track, unless you were considering using the ferry from Cromarty to Nigg. Personally that's the route I would take, but I realise you have time constraints. There would be no alternative eatery nearby if for any reason you did not wish to eat at the Hotel.
Have you considered Carnegie Lodge Hotel for accommodation and meals, just a mile from Tain centre? It is in a fine setting giving views towards east Sutherland and your route north.
Dornoch Firth camp site is 2.5 miles from the centre of Tain and is the nearest campsite to Tain. I have spoken to the Camp office today, they tell me the Dornoch Bridge Inn, which is almost part of the campsite, provides evening meals from £10- £15, also breakfasts for £5.50. People not wishing to camp could perhaps get rooms in the Dornoch Bridge Inn.
Just ask if I there are more queries.