The house won the best architect designed house in the Outer Hebrides Design Awards 2016, beating other houses built in 2014 and 15
The site is framed by the loch in front of the house and the ridge behind, providing a picturesque setting and shelter from the weather. As you walk up the site, the loch opens up, revealing its "H" shape and small island in the middle. We're told that in dry weather it's possible to walk to the island over stepping stones from the southerly bank.
The house is less than a mile from Bosta beach with its beautiful sandy beach and Iron Age house; we often walk there and back whilst the dinner cooks. At Breaclete, the main village on Bernera, there is a community centre with a cafe and shop and also a petrol pump. In Kirkibost, there is an honesty shop with good range of local produce and everyday basics.
Bernera is on the west side of Lewis, surrounded by Loch Roag. It's joined to Lewis by a road bridge that was built in 1953 and was replaced in 2020. There is good access to the tourist attractions on the west coast of the island and around Uig. Stornoway is a 40 minute drive and Tarbert is a 60 minute drive.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
The heart of the house is a large open plan kitchen, living room and dining room. The living room area is full height open to the roof and has a woodburning stove with slate hearth. The whole area overlooks the loch with large floor to ceiling windows in the living room and dining room that open onto the patio.
The kitchen has a full height fridge and a separate full height freezer so you can do a big shop on arrival in Stornoway. There is an oven, induction hob, microwave and dishwasher. The separate utility room keeps the noise of the washing machine and dryer out of the living areas.
Bernera is blessed with ultra-fast 200 mbps fibre-to-the-premises broadband. There is no moble signal but you can use WiFi calling. TV reception is poor so we have installed satellite TV. There is a Blu-ray/DVD player and a music player (Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay).
Downstairs is a double bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms - one double, one twin, and shower room. The downstairs and upsrtairs bedrooms are separated which works well if you have two parties eg grandparents downstairs.
The house is extremely energy efficient. An air source heat pump provides environmentally friendly heating and hot water. The main living area and bathrooms have underfloor heating, bedrooms have radiators.
Please note that the house is strictly non-smoking and that we are unable to accept pets. Children are welcome although we don't have any baby equipment eg cot or highchair.
Prices range from £1,00 to £1,500 per week
