Where are your cottages?

Both Torburn Cottage (sleeps 6) and 5 Braes (sleeps 4) are croft houses on the western shore of Loch Ewe, in the crofting township Braes of Inverasdale, a few miles north-west of Poolewe. Loch Ewe itself is a large sea-loch on the west coast of Scotland. The nearest small towns are Gairloch (twenty minutes away by car) and Ullapool (an hour's drive). Inverness is the nearest city. Dornoch, where Madonna held her wedding at Skibo Castle, is on the east coast but still near enough for a day trip. Here's a sketch map of the region showing where we are.

What is a croft house?

It's a kind of small farm cottage. Crofters are small tenant farmers in the Highlands and Islands. Most Highland crofts have traditional stone-built cottages (croft houses), although many have fallen into ruin. Some have a newer family home built alongside.

How long does it take to drive to Inverasdale?

See below (all timings are approximate).

Can we fly in?

Nothing easier - the nearest airport is Inverness, where you can hire a car or minibus. Flying up from London is an easy way to experience Scotland as part of your UK holiday - it takes about an hour and a half via Easyjet from London Luton and fares are surprisingly reasonable. A more expensive alternative is via London Regional Airways from Gatwick.

How are the roads?

Very good, although many are single-track. Drive carefully, watch out for sheep and deer, especially at night, and use the frequent passing places where necessary. If you're ambling along enjoying the view, please do pull over and let local cars overtake. Keep an eye on your petrol - the nearest filling station is in Gairloch. If you're travelling through Scotland in snowy conditions, it's wise to check beforehand that the roads you'll be using are open.

What's the weather like?

You'll be pleasantly surprised by how mild our climate is on the west coast. The Gulf Stream makes landfall here and unlike other parts of Scotland we seldom experience severe cold, even in the depths of winter. At any time of year, it's not unusual to experience every type of weather from bright, warm sunshine to wind and rain within a day - or within an hour!

What about food?

There's a general stores and post office in Poolewe and plenty of shops in Gairloch. The nearest supermarket is Safeway in Ullapool, and there's an enormous 24-hour Tesco superstore in Inverness.

Banking?

There's a Bank of Scotland in Gairloch with an ATM cash machine. There are also cashback facilities available at the Poolewe Stores and the Wildcat Stores in Gairloch.

What about phones?

There's no telephone at the cottage but there is a telephone kiosk close by. Vodafone reception is also excellent here, although other networks have patchy coverage in the Highlands. There are some remote areas, especially in the glens, where you might not be able to get a signal.

Is everything supplied at the cottage?

All crockery, cutlery, glassware, pans and cooking utensils are provided. As well as an electric cooker and refrigerator, there's a microwave, kettle, toaster and food mixer. We provide all towels and bedding. There's an automatic washing machine and tumble dryer.

What about heating?

Both cottages have electric storage heaters plus an open fire in the living room. Electricity is charged by per unit used, and coal can be ordered in advance.

When should we arrive?

The cottage is let from Saturday to Saturday, though in the off-season we can sometimes fit in short breaks by arrangement. Arrive any time after 4 pm on the first day of your holiday. Please vacate the cottage by 10 am on the day of departure so that we can get it ready for the next guests.

Back to Torburn Cottage home page

Back to 5 Braes home page