Who are you?

We are Alasdair and Clare, who live and work at Coille Bheag along with our sons Callum (18) and Ruairdhri (16).

We live on the shores of Loch Ewe, a sea loch on the north-west coast of Scotland. As well as renting The Cottage and The Lodge to visitors, we are also involved in a range of crofting activities, from growing organic vegetables for local sale, to arts and media-related businesses such as writing and music.

We're also part of unusual net-based music project Species 8472 and we help run West Coasts Arts - a local non-profit organisation that puts on all kinds of music and theatre events locally. Clare also works as a freelance arts administrator, virtual assistant and writer.

Ally comes from a Highland family but spent his youth in London, where he later met and married Clare. Our family moved back to Scotland in 1999, when our children were aged 6 and 4. We acquired a six-acre croft, renovated the 150-year old cottage for rental and built ourselves a new family home. By 2007 demand for the cottage was so high that we built a new timber eco-lodge for rental on the other side of the croft.

What exactly is a croft?

It's not a house as many people think - it's a kind of smallholding used for growing food and/or grazing sheep and cattle. Historically, crofters were small tenant farmers in the Highlands and Islands, altough more recently some families (such as ours) have bought their crofts and become owner-occupiers. Most Highland crofts still have their traditional stone-built cottages (croft houses), although many have fallen into ruin. In recent years, some croftland has been turned over to grass. We still work our croft, so it's a real farm environment. There are areas of woodland, rough meadow and cultivated plots as well as areas planted with grass and shrubs where you can sit out and enjoy the view, and you are welcome to wander where you please.

What does Coille Bheag mean?

It's Gaelic for little wood. About an acre of our croft is wooded; the rest is open meadowland or under cultivation, growing organic produce.

How do you pronounce it?

Curl-yer-veck is about as near as you can get in English...don't worry, we hear all sorts of variations.

Where is it?

It's on the western shore of Loch Ewe, a few miles north-west of Poolewe. Loch Ewe itself is a large sea-loch on the west coast of Scotland. Twenty minutes way by car is Gairloch - the place where BBC TV reality series Love Comes To Town was filmed - and the port of Ullapool is an hour's drive away. Inverness is the nearest city. Here's a map of the Northern Highlands region (in red) showing where we are. We will give you detailed directions when you book so that you don't get lost. Please don't rely on your satnav to get you to us - once you get out of the towns into very rural areas like ours it can't really cope and certainly won't bring you all the way to our door.

How private are the properties?

There are three detached houses on the croft. The oldest is The Cottage, which is about 150 years old and was the original croft house. The newest is The Lodge which is a luxury timber dwelling designed to be eco-friendly. The other house is our own family home. None of the houses directly overlook each other and each is self-contained with complete privacy -- but we're there if you need us or if you have any questions. All the houses are situated some way from the nearest road, which is a single-track country lane with very little traffic. The croft is enclosed within stock fence with a cattle grid at the entrance, so if you bring your dog it's unlikely to escape!

We don't know which house to book - what's the difference between the two properties?

The Cottage offers you the chance to stay in a traditional 150-year old croft house with all its associated quirks! It's rustic, homely and has masses of character - ideal for families or couples who want to enjoy a typical farm-style holiday. It has a practical modern kitchen/diner and bathroom (with bath and shower) to complement its many original features - a real stone fireplace where you can make a real fire, thick stone walls and the original sleeping lofts with sloping roofs. There are three bedrooms (one of which is downstairs) and the cottage sleeps up to 6, plus a baby if you have one! It's not a standardised luxury-style property but it's friendly, comfortable and individual. We're happy to welcome families with pets and smoking is permitted - in the conservatory only!

The Lodge offers a different experience to complement the Cottage. It's a more luxurious environment for a holiday, ideal for couples, although it will sleep up to 4 in two bedrooms - plus extra person in folding bed or baby cot if you wish! It has fantastic all-electric heating and cosy eco-friendly insulation, wooden floors, double glazing and enjoys exactly the same spectacular views as The Cottage through its huge picture windows. The master bedroom is a galleried area situated on the mezzanine level and there is a second enclosed double bedroom, shower room and an open-plan living/kitchen area downstairs. The Lodge is a non-smoking environment and does not accept pets. With its entrance ramp, ground-floor bedroom, clean wooden floors, dust-free heating and no-pets policy, it's also probably the best choice for anyone with allergies, or for the disabled.

Is there space to park?

There is parking for up to two cars per property (more can be accommodated on the croft by arrangement). All cars are parked on our land at guests' own risk.

What are the roads like?

Very good, although many are single-track. Drive carefully, watch out for sheep and deer, especially at night, and sometimes cattle on single-track country roads. 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 and it's not open on a Sunday. If you're travelling through Scotland in snowy conditions or when there are flood warnings in force, it's wise to check beforehand that the roads you'll be using are open. Try Traffic Scotland for up-to-date weather warnings.

What's the weather like?

No-one in their right mind would come to Scotland for its hot and sunny weather, but although the climate can be uncertain the Gulf Stream (North Atlantic Drift) keeps us safe from the extremes of cold you'll find in other parts of Scotland, and even in winter you'll be pleasantly surprised by how mild our climate is on the west coast. When there's snow on the mountains, it can still be T-shirt weather on the beach and you can even swim in the lochs and the sea on warmer summer days. However, it does rain a lot in the winter, especially at sea level, and the winds can be strong.

In May, June and July the days are very long and at midsummer, it's still twilight at midnight. Come in August/September to see the heather in bloom, or October/November for the autumn colours, which are spectacular. The first snowfall on the mountain peaks usually comes in late October or early November.

What about light pollution? Can we see the stars?

On a clear night the total lack of light pollution means a perfect view of the Milky Way so bring your telescrop or a good pair of binoculars! When conditions are right, it's sometimes possible to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), like a shimmering silver curtain in the sky - or sometimes even in colour. Full moon can also be magical over the loch when the sky is clear.

So why is your address Achnasheen?

Achnasheen has the nearest railway station and therefore it's the post town. Actually, it's about forty miles away!

Can we see what other guests have said about you?

Of course! Click here to see some recent extracts from our visitors' book.

Do you use social media ?

Yes!! You can follow us on Twitter or check out our Facebook page.

We want to trace our roots - what are the local clans?

This part of Wester Ross is chiefly MacKenzie territory. The clan includes septs relating to modern surnames Charles, Charleson, Clunes, Clunies, Cross, Iverach, Iverson, Ivory, Kenneth, Kennethson, Kinnach, Kynoch, Macaweeney, MacBeolain, MacBeath, MacBeth, MacConnach, MacCure, Maceur, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKenna, MacKenney, MacKerlich, MacKinna, MacKinney, MacKinnie, MacLeay, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacQueenie, MacThearliach, MacVanish, MacVennie, MacVinish, MacVinnie, MacWeeny, MacWhinnie, Makiver, Murchie, Murchison, Smart and Tuach. There are also many MacLeods - especially on the west side of Loch Ewe - and MacDonalds in this area.

How long does it take to drive to Coille Bheag?

See below (all timings are approximate). Remember to allow extra time if you have children or dogs and need to stop for lots of breaks. Before you arrive, we will send you full directions and driving hints so that you can find us easily!

 

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 on a budget flight via Easyjet from London Luton or Gatwick. xpensive alternative is available via Gatwick.

 

Will we be able to get food when we're up there?

The village shop/Post Office in Poolewe is only ten minutes' drive away and stocks everything from milk, fresh bread and cakes, papers, toiletries and general groceries to wine, beer and spirits. The croft next door sells fresh homemade bread and 'Fair Trade' gifts but if it's fresh vegetables you're after, we can sell you our own organic produce grown right here on the croft, plus our own free-range eggs. One family who stayed with us in 2010 also produced this excellent guide to foraging for wild food in the area around Coille Bheag.

There are also several markets in the area where local produce and home baking is usually available, as well as arts and crafts. The best one in our opinion is the Tuesday Market at Poolewe Village Hall (where we sell our surplus!)

There are also plenty of shops in Gairloch including an excellent butcher's and two general stores, one with delicatessen (Strath Stores). The nearest supermarket is Tesco in Ullapool, and there's an enormous 24-hour Tesco superstore in Inverness. If you feel like eating out, there are cafes in Inverasdale and Poolewe, two hotels with restaurants in Poolewe and others in Gairloch and Badachro.

What about 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.

If we come off-season, will we be warm enough?

Yes! The cottage has traditional thick stone walls and is very cosy, with its solid fuel fire in the living room, electric panel and storage heaters in all rooms, and the Lodge has excellent insulation and energy-efficient electric heating. In any case, the Gulf Stream means the temperatures here seldom drop very low. If you've never laid a fire with solid fuel before, we'll gladly show you what to do. Please take care, especially if you have young children or animals.

What clothes should we bring?

Dressing in layers is best as the weather is changeable. Bring a good waterproof coat or jacket, and a warm jumper or fleece for chillier days. Everyone will need wellies, plus some good weatherproof walking boots if you plan any serious expeditions on foot. If you're heading for the peaks, you'll need proper clothing and equipment if you don't want to become a Mountain Rescue statistic. Oh, and bring swimming things - the sea can be wonderful in summer and the community-run swimming pool in Poolewe is open all year round.

What about phones and the internet?

There's no telephone or internet connection at the cottage or lodge, so if you need to stay in touch with the outside world, bring your mobile - Vodafone and O2 reception is excellent and T-Mobile have lately extended their reach to cover our area although we believe Orange is patchy. We get 2G mobile broadband for your Blackberry, iPhone or dongle-fitted laptop (3G is only available in Inverness). There is an internet cafe in Gairloch and in an emergency, you can be contacted on our own home number or email address, but most people are glad of the excuse to be incommunicado!

Can we drink the tap water?

Yes - in fact we have the "benefit" of a brand new water treatment plant which began servicing the region recently. However, if you prefer the chemical-free purity of natural spring water, as the locals do, you can collect it from the spring on the lochside road.

Is everything supplied?

All crockery, cutlery, glassware, pans and cooking utensils are provided. As well as an electric cooker and refrigerator, there's a microwave, cafétière, teapot, toaster, electric kettle and iron and ironing board. We provide all towels, tea towels and bedding. Both properties have access to a clothesline and indoor airer - please don't drape washing over heaters or leave it in front of an open fire. The Cottage and The Lodge both have family-friendly automatic washing machines. Guests are welcome to borrow our tumble dryer if it all just gets too much.

Is the place safe for children?

As always, young children should play supervised, and there may be hazards on the working areas of the croft - please keep children out of farm sheds and away from any animals or machinery. However, the houses are reasonably childproof, the croft is fenced, the quiet village road is some distance away and access to the loch is through a latched gate. And yes - if you want to go out without the kids one evening, we can usually babysit for you!

When should we arrive and what should we do?

Both properties are let from Saturday to Saturday, though in the off-season we can sometimes fit in short breaks by arrangement. Arrive any time after 4pm on the first day of your holiday. If you call in at our house first (it's the one right in front of you as you drive onto the croft) we can give you the keys and show you where everything is. Please vacate the houses by 10 am on the day of departure so that we can get them ready for the next guests.

Can we bring our dog?

Yes, if you're staying in The Cottage. There is a wonderful beach five minutes' drive away which dogs absolutely love! If you're staying in the more luxurious environment of The Lodge, we ask you not to bring pets.

Can we bring our boat?

Certainly - there's a slipway close to Coille Bheag where small boats can be launched, and there's access to the loch shore from our croft if you have a kayak or similar.

 

You can also take a great trip from Gairloch harbour in the Glass-Bottom Boat and In the season there are also frequent pleasure-boat trips from the harbour at Ullapool, where the ferry to the Hebridean islands also departs.

Can we smoke?

In The Cottage, you can smoke in the conservatory only. The Lodge is a totally non-smoking environment. This is just about the only rule we have, so please respect it! Also, please bear in mind that there is a nationwide ban on smoking in public places such as pubs, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.

Will we get eaten alive by midges?

No-one pretends the Highland midge isn't a nuisance - we sometime think it's the only reason the Highlands are still unspoiled! We're lucky at Coille Bheag - the sea breezes mean we suffer far less than those in inland areas. Midges don't like direct sunlight or wind, so are at their worst at dusk between late May and August on dull, windless days. Their bites are an irritation rather than a hazard, unlike those of continental mosquitoes, and they are discouraged by chemical insect repellents (widely available here!) or by natural remedies such as citronella oil.

Is Sunday still sacred?

Many people who have grown up in this region have a strong Protestant faith and attend one of the Presbyterian meeting houses (chapels) for services on Sunday. They won't force their religion on visitors, though you'll find few work on a Sunday and most shops in rural areas are closed all day. In the season there are one or two shops open where you can buy Sunday papers, sandwiches and local crafts, and the Tesco supermarket in Ullapool is open. Don't worry - no one will mind if you continue enjoying your holiday on the Sabbath, although raucous outdoor parties are probably not a good idea!

How do we pay? Do you take credit cards?

We do not accept credit cards at Coille Bheag, but if you have a Paypal account, or want to set one up (it's free), you can use your credit card to send funds to us via e-mail in pounds sterling, euros or US dollars. Alternatively you can pay by cheque in sterling (make cheques payable to Alasdair Wright).

If you're paying in US dollars or Euros, check current exchange rates here before contacting us with your booking. A deposit of 10% of the total cost of your holiday is payable on booking and the balance is due one calendar month before your arrival.

Do you work through a commercial agency or tourist board?

No - we are a 100% independently owned family business, and we prefer to take our bookings direct from those who find us through our website or local accommodation directories.

We don't have an e-mail account - how do we contact you?

You can phone us on +44 (0)01445 781783 to check availability or make a provisional booking, and we can send the necessary forms to you by post if you prefer.

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