Taigh Solus is situated in the sleepy historic village of Arnol on the West Side of the Isle of Lewis, in the Heart of the Gaeltach. It is a large modern house with spectacular panoramic views from the South to the North, overlooking the Arnol river system , Loch Arnol and the Atlantic Ocean. Within the house are 3 double bedrooms, 3 sitting rooms, a spacious modern kitchen, 2 bathrooms and a shower room/toilet, sleeping 6 in great comfort. Being set off the road it is very peaceful. The master bedroom is ensuite and doubles as a sitting room. All rooms have views to the sea and all rooms are furnished to a high standard.
There is excellent Salmon, Seatrout and Trout fishing on the river and loch, and the nearby Barvas estate. A permit is required for Barvas although traditionally no permit is required to fish the Arnol river. Excellent seafishing is on your doorstep.
Regular surfing breaks are at Barvas (3miles), Bragar (2 miles) and Dail Mor (7 miles). There are two beautiful nearby beaches at Dail Mor and Dail Beag. The loch is superb for wind surfing and para sailing as it is shallow and benefits from the wind coming in from the sea, and there is a Canadian canoe by the loch which guests have sole access to. Surf equipment hire and tuition are available from the shop in Barvas
It is a wonderful place for birdwatchers with many rare species regularly seen and with some of these species flying very close to the house. It is not unusual to see Perigrine, Merlin, Golden and White-Tailed Eagles at close range. Merlin also regularly fly close to the house and there are a pair of otters on the river system if you are lucky enough to encounter them. There is also an RSPB nature reserve, Loch na Muline (https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/l/lochnamuilne/) at the top of the village where Red-necked Phalarope breed. Corncrake, Cuckoos, and Wheatear are also regularly seen around the house.
The house itself has been designed for maximum light. It originally was a “Black House” (of which there is a preserved example in the village, run by Historic Scotland) , then a “White House” (with chimney) as it was when I purchased it in 2001. It is one of the oldest continually occupied houses on Lewis and it exudes an atmposphere of warmth and tranquillity.
“The minute you open the door of Taigh Solus, you are not only totally ‘at home’ with everything and more at hand to make your stay comfortable – with more than a bit of style; but you are enthralled by the stunning views from every direction. Wake up to life on the croft from the bathroom window, gaze out to the Atlantic in all of its moods from the living room through the day, and fall asleep gazing at the stars or the northern lights. This is a place that stays with you forever!” Claire Byres, Northumberland.