Frequently Asked Questions
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, although 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. Our croft has woodland, wild meadow and some cultivated areas, and you are welcome to wander at your own risk.
Where is Coille Bheag?
It's on the shores of Loch Ewe, a few miles from the village of Poolewe. Loch Ewe itself is a large sea-loch on the west coast of Scotland. Twenty minutes away by car is the larger village of Gairloch, and the port of Ullapool is an hour's drive. Inverness is the nearest big city, and you can fly to its airport and hire a car to drive the rest of the way (about two hours). We will give you detailed directions when you book so that you don't get lost!
We don't know which house to book - what's the difference between the two properties?
It really depends on what kind of experience you want! The Cottage offers you the chance to stay in a traditional 19th century croft house with all its associated quirks! It's rustic, homely and has masses of character - with its three bedrooms, solid fuel fireplace and fun conservatory area it's ideal for families who want to enjoy a typical farm-style holiday. It's not a standardised luxury-style property but it's friendly, cosy and individual. The Lodge is a modern, semi open-plan building and offers a more luxurious environment for a holiday, ideal for couples - although it will sleep up to 4 in its two bedrooms. 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.
What do you provide? Are there any hidden extras to pay?
Because of the extra cleaning and disinfecting necessary between bookings to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus, we have added a £10 cleaning fee to all our future bookings to cover time and materials. Everything else is included in our prices regardless of size of party. We won't charge you extra for electricity, and we provide an initial supply of fuel for the cottage fire - if you use it up you can buy more locally. Linen and towels are provided as well as free wifi. If you have a baby, please bring your own travel cot and bedding, although there's a high chair in each of the houses, We also supply coffee, tea, milk and condiments, plus shower gel, shampoo and hand soap in the bathroom. We also welcome you with a bottle of wine!
Can we book short breaks or does it have to be a full week?
You don't have to book a full week, although we'll give you a 10% discount off your total if you do! If you want to be more flexible, that's fine - just head to Airbnb (see below) and choose your dates from those available on our calendar Minimum stay three nights, and we require two clear days before and after each booking in order to complete the extra cleaning and disinfecting necessary to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus
How do we pay? Do you take credit cards?
We no longer take new direct bookings via phone or email. Book instantly via Airbnb and pay via their site using your credit or debit card. Head over to these listings for The Lodge or The Cottage.
What about phones and the internet?
Free wifi is available in both the Cottage and the Lodge. 4G coverage is patchy in rural areas such as ours, but we do get a good signal on most mobile networks for voice calls and texts.
Do you accept pets?
We're happy to welcome families with well-behaved pets. Let us know if you'd like to bring your animals with you. - we hve a large dog and a cat. There's plenty of room on the croft and on the nearby beaches and common land for you to exercise dogs, but please keep them on the lead while on the croft, and keep them under control elsewhere - don't let them chase the sheep and other livestock who roam free in the area, and please don't let them sleep on the furniture.
What about shops and restaurants?
You can stock up on groceries in Inverness on your way to us, but there are lots of good local shops to support! The nearest is the Village Stores in Poolewe, which also sells alcohol and acts as our Post Office, but there are also excellent food shops (one with a deli counter) in nearby Gairloch (15 mins drive) - try Strath Stores on the village square (opposite the car park), or alternatively the Wildcat Stores or the Farm and Garden Stores on the main street. There's also a great butchers, Kenneth Morrison, just up the street from Strath Stores - they also sell fruit & veg. Opposite them is Crumb, which sells home-made desserts and sweets. You can buy fresh fish on the harbour in Gairloch during the season, and from Spring to Autumn there's an indoor market selling produce as well as crafts in Poolewe Village Hall on a Tuesday morning. There are also takeaways offering fish & chips and Chinese food. The medium-size Tesco supermarket in Ullapool is one hour's drive away -and it's a particularly lovely drive if the weather's good! Depending on the season, we can usually sell you some fresh organic produce, or free-range eggs, and one family who stayed with us in 2010 also produced this excellent guide to foraging for wild food in the area around Coille Bheag. NB: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants, pubs and tourist attractions may be closed or operating on a restricted timetable. Please respect their rules and remember that in Scotland, masks are still mandatory in indoor areas unless you are eating or drinking.
What is there to do, besides walking?
Plenty! If you're looking for some indoor activities on rainy days, there's always the local museum in Gairloch or the wartime Arctic Convoy Museum in Aultbea. We're very lucky to have our own indoor heated swimming pool in Poolewe and the loch is also great for swimming or snorkelling in warm weather, or any time if you have a wetsuit. You can also go riding at the Gairloch Trekking Centre at Red Point, which has access to some splendid beaches with wonderful views. If you're interested in rare plants from around the world or just want a pleasant walk in gorgeous surroundings, across the loch from us is the world-famous Inverewe Garden. You can launch a kayak from the beach or the Inverasdale slipway, and there are great sea trips to be had from the harbour in Gairloch. If you head a little further afield, ferries from Ullapool will take you on a cruise to the Summer Isles or over to the Hebrides. Mountain bikers can find plenty to interest them on our hills and tracks, too. NB: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these attractions may be closed or restricted.
What clothes should we bring?
Dressing in layers is best as the weather is changeable. As well as summer things for sunny days, bring a good waterproof coat or jacket, and a warm jumper or fleece for chillier spells. Everyone will need wellies, plus good walking boots if you plan any serious expeditions on foot. A midge hood (available locally) and/or some insect repellent is a good optional extra in the summer months. 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!
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, although 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. Our croft has woodland, wild meadow and some cultivated areas, and you are welcome to wander at your own risk.
Where is Coille Bheag?
It's on the shores of Loch Ewe, a few miles from the village of Poolewe. Loch Ewe itself is a large sea-loch on the west coast of Scotland. Twenty minutes away by car is the larger village of Gairloch, and the port of Ullapool is an hour's drive. Inverness is the nearest big city, and you can fly to its airport and hire a car to drive the rest of the way (about two hours). We will give you detailed directions when you book so that you don't get lost!
We don't know which house to book - what's the difference between the two properties?
It really depends on what kind of experience you want! The Cottage offers you the chance to stay in a traditional 19th century croft house with all its associated quirks! It's rustic, homely and has masses of character - with its three bedrooms, solid fuel fireplace and fun conservatory area it's ideal for families who want to enjoy a typical farm-style holiday. It's not a standardised luxury-style property but it's friendly, cosy and individual. The Lodge is a modern, semi open-plan building and offers a more luxurious environment for a holiday, ideal for couples - although it will sleep up to 4 in its two bedrooms. 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.
What do you provide? Are there any hidden extras to pay?
Because of the extra cleaning and disinfecting necessary between bookings to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus, we have added a £10 cleaning fee to all our future bookings to cover time and materials. Everything else is included in our prices regardless of size of party. We won't charge you extra for electricity, and we provide an initial supply of fuel for the cottage fire - if you use it up you can buy more locally. Linen and towels are provided as well as free wifi. If you have a baby, please bring your own travel cot and bedding, although there's a high chair in each of the houses, We also supply coffee, tea, milk and condiments, plus shower gel, shampoo and hand soap in the bathroom. We also welcome you with a bottle of wine!
Can we book short breaks or does it have to be a full week?
You don't have to book a full week, although we'll give you a 10% discount off your total if you do! If you want to be more flexible, that's fine - just head to Airbnb (see below) and choose your dates from those available on our calendar Minimum stay three nights, and we require two clear days before and after each booking in order to complete the extra cleaning and disinfecting necessary to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus
How do we pay? Do you take credit cards?
We no longer take new direct bookings via phone or email. Book instantly via Airbnb and pay via their site using your credit or debit card. Head over to these listings for The Lodge or The Cottage.
What about phones and the internet?
Free wifi is available in both the Cottage and the Lodge. 4G coverage is patchy in rural areas such as ours, but we do get a good signal on most mobile networks for voice calls and texts.
Do you accept pets?
We're happy to welcome families with well-behaved pets. Let us know if you'd like to bring your animals with you. - we hve a large dog and a cat. There's plenty of room on the croft and on the nearby beaches and common land for you to exercise dogs, but please keep them on the lead while on the croft, and keep them under control elsewhere - don't let them chase the sheep and other livestock who roam free in the area, and please don't let them sleep on the furniture.
What about shops and restaurants?
You can stock up on groceries in Inverness on your way to us, but there are lots of good local shops to support! The nearest is the Village Stores in Poolewe, which also sells alcohol and acts as our Post Office, but there are also excellent food shops (one with a deli counter) in nearby Gairloch (15 mins drive) - try Strath Stores on the village square (opposite the car park), or alternatively the Wildcat Stores or the Farm and Garden Stores on the main street. There's also a great butchers, Kenneth Morrison, just up the street from Strath Stores - they also sell fruit & veg. Opposite them is Crumb, which sells home-made desserts and sweets. You can buy fresh fish on the harbour in Gairloch during the season, and from Spring to Autumn there's an indoor market selling produce as well as crafts in Poolewe Village Hall on a Tuesday morning. There are also takeaways offering fish & chips and Chinese food. The medium-size Tesco supermarket in Ullapool is one hour's drive away -and it's a particularly lovely drive if the weather's good! Depending on the season, we can usually sell you some fresh organic produce, or free-range eggs, and one family who stayed with us in 2010 also produced this excellent guide to foraging for wild food in the area around Coille Bheag. NB: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants, pubs and tourist attractions may be closed or operating on a restricted timetable. Please respect their rules and remember that in Scotland, masks are still mandatory in indoor areas unless you are eating or drinking.
What is there to do, besides walking?
Plenty! If you're looking for some indoor activities on rainy days, there's always the local museum in Gairloch or the wartime Arctic Convoy Museum in Aultbea. We're very lucky to have our own indoor heated swimming pool in Poolewe and the loch is also great for swimming or snorkelling in warm weather, or any time if you have a wetsuit. You can also go riding at the Gairloch Trekking Centre at Red Point, which has access to some splendid beaches with wonderful views. If you're interested in rare plants from around the world or just want a pleasant walk in gorgeous surroundings, across the loch from us is the world-famous Inverewe Garden. You can launch a kayak from the beach or the Inverasdale slipway, and there are great sea trips to be had from the harbour in Gairloch. If you head a little further afield, ferries from Ullapool will take you on a cruise to the Summer Isles or over to the Hebrides. Mountain bikers can find plenty to interest them on our hills and tracks, too. NB: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these attractions may be closed or restricted.
What clothes should we bring?
Dressing in layers is best as the weather is changeable. As well as summer things for sunny days, bring a good waterproof coat or jacket, and a warm jumper or fleece for chillier spells. Everyone will need wellies, plus good walking boots if you plan any serious expeditions on foot. A midge hood (available locally) and/or some insect repellent is a good optional extra in the summer months. 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!