Cottage Description
The Old School House is a 3 bedroom self catering holiday accommodation that sleeps 5 and is located in Strathcarron, Scotland. This property is pet friendly allowing for 1 pet. . Local to Applecross, Lonbain, Kishorn, Erbusaig, Kyle of Lochalsh
- Bike Store
- Cot Available
- Detached Property
- DVD player
- Dishwasher
- Fuel and Power Included
- Telephone
- Woodburning Stove
- Car Parking Available
- Bed Linen & Towels Included
- Washing Machine
- Coastal within 1 mile
This secluded and spacious cottage with its own walled garden, enjoys a gloriously sunny position on the seashore with spectacular views towards the islands of Raasay, Rona and Skye. Reached via a quarter-mile track, this former school house has been tastefully converted, whilst retaining interesting original features; formerly classrooms, the living-room and kitchen feature lovely high ceilings, and there is a large picture window in the hall, ideal for viewing wonderful sunsets and abundant wildlife.
This is a superb location for touring the scenic Applecross and Torridon areas; for a truly memorable drive out, head for the Pass of the Cattle – at 626 metres above sea level, this is Britain’s highest pass and affords some dramatic scenery along its length. There is excellent walking and climbing terrain nearby, both inland and along the rugged coastline – watch out for seals and otters just off shore. Several NTS properties make for good days out, including Strome Castle, and the Countryside Centre at Torridon (open May to September), the latter providing an insight into local flora, fauna and geology. From Torridon village, a scenic drive takes in the shoreline before winding past cliffs and gorges up to Diabaig, whilst 8 miles to the north, Lake Maree is dotted with Caledonian pine clad islands and lies as a scenic gem. The surrounding area also offers some of Scotland’s best deer-sighting country.
Sandy beaches are to be found at Sand (3 miles) and Applecross Bay (7 miles); the village of Applecross itself has a P.O./local store and a friendly inn serving fresh seafood dishes. The sheltered, fertile coast around the village is idyllic: you can wander along lanes banked with wild iris and orchids, and explore beaches and rock pools on the shore. Fishing and golf are both within driving distance. Shop 7 miles.
Hall/sitting room with sea view from picture window. Large, part-panelled living room with multi-fuel burner and splendid views. Well-equipped, modern fitted, farmhouse-style kitchen/dining room with multi-fuel burner and electric cooker. Bathroom with shower over corner bath and toilet. First floor: Three bedrooms with sloping ceilings; two bedrooms, each with Velux window with sea views, one double with 5ft bed, en-suite bathroom, wash basin and toilet, one twin, and one single.
Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
The Kishorn Seafood Bar provides good quality food in a fantastic setting using fresh local produce whenever possible. The menu is primarily seafood, but it does cater for most dietary requirements. The fresh mussels come from neighbouring Loch Torridon.
Sea Breezes - 14.8 Miles (23.7 KM)
A favourite with tourists and locals alike, Sea Breezes commands an excellent waterfront location. Good quality contemporary food, freshly prepared and using the finest local and Scottish ingredients is the order of the day here.
Evening diners may select 2 or 3 courses from the menu which often includes local shellfish and Highland venison. Impeccably presented, contemporary Scottish cooking served in peaceful surroundings, with lovely countryside views.
This remotely located restaurant, right on the lochside near Waterish Point, is tiny, simple and quiet with a warmly welcoming atmosphere. The seafood says it all here, landed at nearby Dunvegan, it dominates the blackboard and a few staples on the menu.
The Three Chimneys is synonymous with good food and great dining, receiving EatScotland's Gold award for 2008/09. The Restaurant is set in a old crofters cottage, with beautiful sea views from many ground floor aspects.
Fun Days Out
It's hard to get up close to a nesting sea-eagle but at the Aros Centre you can have this experience with live pictures, from two remote nests at separate locations. An RSPB Warden will interpret the footage for you, explaining the life cycle of these magnificent birds.
Gairloch Marine Life Centre and Cruises offer scenic and wildlife cruises, aboard 'MV Starquest'. Visitors are often rewarded with a glimpse of whales, dolphins or porpoise and may even catch sight of an eagle in flight.
Shilasdair - 26.1 Miles (41.8 KM)
You'll find natural dyed knitting yarns, knitkits and hand-knitted sweaters in glorious colours as well as, scarves smocks and tie-dyed socks; unique resist-dyed garments — all handcrafted on Skye. Also the croft dyehouse, antique wool processes and spinning workshop.
Beach
Big Sand Beach - 16.8 Miles (26.9 KM)
Accessed through extensive sand dunes and sheltered from the onshore wind by Longa Island, this beach is a wonderful place to sit and watch a magical sunset over the Hebrides.
Biking & Hiking
This 32 acre island, a breeding place for Grey heron, is almost entirely covered in Scots pine, which once formed vast forests covering much of the Scottish Highlands. The Trust acquired it in 1970 and no one may land without permission.
Golf & Sports
Located at the foot of Liathach and the shores of Torridon, activities provided are kayaking, mountain guiding, guided glen walks, archery, clay pigeon shooting and mountain bikes. All sessions and courses are run by fully qualified, enthusiastic professional instructors.
Nature Reserves
Set in the picturesque village of Kyleakin, Bright Water Visitor Centre offers an interactive introduction to the local and natural history of the area, particularly its otters.
Gardens & Woodlands
A gem of a place to visit, tucked away in Poolewe with a whole host of exotic plantlife. Encompassing 20 hectares, this lovely garden sits on the peninsula at the shore of Loch Ewe. The Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift currents both contribute in providing this little oasis with a great deal of what it needs to flourish.
Local Attractions
Sealife Glass Bottom Boat Cruises offer a unique way to to see the seas, wildlife and stunning scenery of Gairloch Bay. The waters here are crystal clear offering the best opportunity to see up close and in their natural habitat the wonderful marine life in this area. The region is rich and diverse in wildlife with many sea birds having their homes here including, Golden and Sea eagles, puffins, black throated divers and many more. Also to be seen on your cruise are common and grey seals, porpoises and if you are lucky an otter or basking shark, as well as a magical underworld where you can see crabs, stunning sea anemones, sea urchins, scallops and seaweed and at particular tide times freshwater oysters can be seen. Cruises are operated by Ric an experienced and professional guide who has so much knowledge and passion it is infectious. Ric is extremely friendly and jovial and gives the most interesting and enthralling tours that everyone will enjoy. The cruise affords the maximum opportunity to see as much wildlife as possible aboard the boat, in a relaxed and friendly setting. Young passengers are given a activity sheet along with pictures of what they will see, it really keeps them entertained. The cruise lasts about two hours and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of the trip and experience. Sealife Glass Bottom Cruises offer an amazing opportunity to see the wonderful marine life and scenery of this stunning area with the benefit of a charming and knowledgeable host, highly recommended.
Informative and fun, this award winning reptile exhibition and breeding centre, refuge and shop is unique in Scotland. Enjoy watching a world of snakes, lizards, frogs and tortoises in natural surroundings. For the brave, there are frequent handling sessions.
Enjoy a tour (and a tasting!) at the only distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. You'll find their sweet, full-bodied single malt is full of allure.
Loch Ewe Distillery is the smallest distillery in Scotland and the only one to produce single malt from an illicit sized small still. As well as short tours, visitors can enjoy a 5 day distilling package whereby they will produce spirit and take it away to mature in their own home.
Skyeskyns - 26.1 Miles (41.8 KM)
Skyeskyns is Scotland's only traditional exhibition tannery. Visitors can witness time-honoured methods of making leather, the oldest craft, and see an unparalleled range of finest quality hand-combed Highland lambskins and leather goods.
Angus MacAskill was the tallest ever Scotsman, a true giant at 7ft8in. His family emigrated to the New World in about 1831 and although his parents were average sized, Angus continued to grow. His great strength was legendary and he became a regular performer in a travelling show around the United States. This tribute to him is less than 30 miles from where he was born and spent his early childhood.
The exhibition at this typical Skye Black house depicts how people lived in the 19th century.
Historical & Heritage Sites
Learn about the people of Gairloch, their lives and their work throughout the ages. Take some time out in the croft house, browse the items at the village shop and compare your childhoods in the school room.
You can explore almost every part of the castle from the banqueting hall to the bedrooms. You'll be following in the footsteps of many a warrior from the Vikings to James Bond, from Jacobites to Hollywood's 'Highlanders'.
Established in 1965, the museum is a collection of preserved thatched cottages. See the way the islanders lived in the late 1800s and their efficient, but cosy dwellings. Molding perfectly with the environment and suitably attuned to the often harsh climate they are a fascinating place to visit.
No trip to the beautiful Isle of Sye would be complete without a visit to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for nearly 800 years.
