Isay Cottage, Harris - self catering accommodation Scotland

Isay Cottage
Isle of Harris

Betten 6

A traditional, whitewashed Scottish Highland cottage, now extended and newly refurbished, Isay House is one of the scattering of croft houses along the shore of West Loch Tarbert, with lovely views across the machair (coastal grassland) and the water to Taransay (remember the television 'Castaway' series?) with the Atlantic and America beyond. Walkers will be impatient to get their boots on, for the tempting peaks of North Harris rise just to the right of the cottage, among them Clisham, at 2619 ft, the highest mountain in the Western Isles.

With the hills rising right behind it, Isay House has a wee enclosed front garden, and a drying green to the side. Otherwise the surroundings are very much open-plan. Fences and hedges don't feature greatly in this rugged landscape, where the crofting communities hold the land very much in common.

Isay Cottage Here, from the cosy sitting room with its multi-fuel stove and from the upstairs bedrooms, you have a front row seat to marvel at the spectacular west coast sunsets. The modern kitchen is very well equipped. There is a downstairs double bedroom, two twin bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom and separate shower room, thus providing versatile and very comfortable accommodation for 6 people.

The nearest village of any size is Tarbert (2m), where you will land if you come by sea from Uig on Skye. It has an hotel, bank and a couple of shops and places to eat. Cycles may also be hired there. If you turn left a little to the north of the cottage, you will come to Hushinish Point, where there is a lovely sandy beach, as often as not quite deserted. The nearby island of Scarp has the odd distinction of being the site of a German scientist's attempts to send mail by rocket in 1934! And if you fancy something just a little bit different and utterly unique, during the summer you can take boat trips from Tarbert Pier out to lonely St Kilda. The remaining population left in 1930 and this amazing island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Heading down to South Harris, you will reach the links golf course at Scarista, and from Leverburgh, (An T-ob) right at the tip you can take the ferry across to Uist and Benbecula.

Stornoway, the 'capital' of the Western Isles, with its airport and ferry terminal from Ullapool, is about 35 miles away and has all facilities. A trip to the north of the island should take in the numerous historical sites there, notably the Callanish Standing Stones, the Garenin Blackhouse Village, the Carloway Broch and, on Bernera, a restored Iron Age house.

And of course no trip to Harris is complete without a length of Harris tweed to take home as a memento which will last for years and years!

Heating is by night store electric heaters (included) and multi-fuel stove (starter pack of fuel included). Bed linen and towels are included. Sorry, no pets or smoking within the house.

Unterkunft (Betten 6):

Downstairs:

Kitchen with electric cooker, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, microwave and fridge-freezer etc.
Sitting/dining room with multi-fuel stove, mini hi-fi and Sky TV, DVD/VCR.
Double bedroom.