Lighthouse Cottage has two available bedrooms upstairs via 14 steps to the first floor. Both rooms, Rona & Neist, are spacious with stunning views out to the Waternish Peninsula and the mountains of Harris over Loch Snizort. The rooms have central heating and two additional electric oil filled radiator heaters should the need arise. There is sufficient room for the use of a temporary bed for parties of 3. The bathroom on the first floor is shared with a toilet, wash hand basin, mirror, deep bath and power shower. On the ground floor there is an additional cloakroom with toilet, wash hand basin and mirror. Photos are coming soon, the rooms are being newly decorated.
Guests are also welcome to use the dining room for relaxing with evening drinks and good access to free Wi-Fi. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the kitchen and guests are welcome to access these in the evenings and before breakfast.
The property has an old byre of stone construction beside the main house. This traditionally would have been used for livestock and storage of feed. It has been modernized and contains lighting, power, a modern running machine and free weights. Guests are welcome to use these at their own risk. The byre also provides a location for storage of cycles and motorcycle gear.
Gillian and Angus will happily provide drying facilities for guests and wash items for a small fee per washing machine load.
There is ample parking beside the byre and on the drive.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, Lighthouse Cottage is a short drive from its major attractions. These include The Old Man of Storr which is a rocky stack formed by an ancient landslide and has featured in a number of films and TV adverts. It is a beautiful walk and delivers stunning views of the Island of Raasay, Rona (with its lighthouse) and the West coast of Scotland with its many mountains. The Quirang is an essential walk for any photographer as it passes though some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland. As part of the Trotternish ridge it has been formed by a massive landslip which has created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock. Choose a clear day and bring your camera. The Quiraing walk is a loop, returning you to the same point (the carpark). It covers a distance of 6.8km, with the average time to complete the walk being 2 hours (with no stops).
The Trotternish ridge provides an obvious focus for walkers but there are other shorter walks suitable for all abilities; the Fairy Glen is a beautiful whimsical walk through a valley produced by many small landslides and is a mile from the cottage. The standing stones at Eyre are between the cottage and Portree where legend had Fingall make a campfire to cook a whole deer. He was a migrating Gael General from Ireland called Finn MacCumhaill.
Captain Fraser was an infamous land owner who doubled the rents in 1877 and provoked rebellion among the crofters. He later maneuvered for favour with gifts of tea and sugar but the crofters complaints were better answered when parliament passed the Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886. His folly sits opposite the Uig Hotel where the Captain used to have is staff collect rents due.
OTHER NORTH HIGHLAND ATTRACTIONS
There are many other attraction within 30-45 minute striking distance from the cottage. These include Dunvegan Castle, the home of the MacLeod Clan. It is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and always by the same family, the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod. The MacLeods are one of the principal clans on Skye. The castle began in the 12th century as a wee thatched house on the rock at Dunvegan. The Lady MacLeod of the time complained to Boswell and Johnston that she could not have a garden on ’this rock’. The castle grew over the years, in at least ten building stages, into its present form. The MacDonalds, the other main clan on Skye, were not so settled. Round about the 16th or 17th century they moved their clan seat from Dunsgaith, near Tokavaig on Sleat, to Duntulm at the north of the Trotternish peninsula. The ruins of Duntulm Castle can still be seen perched on the cliff edge. After a baby fell from the castle window onto the rocks below - or so the story goes - they moved a few miles south to Monkstadt House, taking some stones from the castle with them to build an extension. They were still there when Flora MacDonald crossed the Minch with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Leaving the Prince on the shore she went up to Monkstadt House where she found Lady Margaret MacDonald entertaining Government troops. In 1815 they moved south again to Armadale where Lord MacDonald had built a new castle, now incorporated into the Clan Donald Centre. The MacKinnons, one of the smaller clans on Skye, occupied Strath and had their family seat at Dun Ringell in Strathaird. In the 15th century they moved to Castle Moil or Dunakyn, as it was sometimes called, at Kyleakin.
Another of the smaller clans is the Nicolsons who had their lands at Scorrybreak just north of Portree. They didn’t have a castle but the ruins of the chief’s house can be seen at Torvaig. The last chief, Norman Nicolson, emigrated to Tasmania in the early 1800s.
There is a great walk down to the Coral Beach in Claigan, just north of Dunvegan. The beach is made from crushed white coral like seaweed that makes the water look tropical blue when the sun comes out. A truly magical place, perfect for a picnic and maybe a swim.
At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle. These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world, as they make some great ‘Wild Swimming’ for those brave enough to enter the cold water. For the less adventurous these magical Fairy Pools make some fantastic photos. One set of pools features an underwater arch which can be swum through.
The Cullin Mountains themselves need little introduction with 12 Munros (Peaks greater than 3000ft.) across the ridge. There are several walks, scrambles and climbs suitable for all abilities. Please be prepared and let us know where you are going and when you expect to return – this is essential for your safety.
Further afield in the South of the Island is the Clan Donald Gardens and Museum of the Isles. Clan Donald Skye is a magnificent 20,000 acre estate in south Skye. Enjoy an outstanding holiday experience, exploring the historic gardens and woodland trails around Armadale Castle or learning about Highland history in our fascinating Museum of the Isles.
Wildlife is a fearture where ever you travel on the Island from Golden Eagles, White Tailed Sea Eagles, Buzzards, Red Kites, Barn Owls to Otters, Seals, Whales, Dolphins and our domestic breeds.
