Luxury Property Scotland
àilean
Borve, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides 07702 874724
Sleeps up to 6
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 3
Coastal Escapes
Pet Friendly
ailean - Beautiful self catering holiday cottage Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
So, you want to get away from it all to a stunning coastal location? We think we have found somewhere exceptional for you to stay on your next holiday or special break. Sleeping up to 6 people in total comfort àilean is delightfully situated on the West Coast of South Harris. This is a place where memories are made while you explore the fabulous countryside and truly stunning beaches. The house is beautifully presented and has 3 large bedrooms. On the ground floor the main living area is open-plan with a fully equipped kitchen and dining area. There is a king size bedroom and large bathroom with double ended bath, separate shower and infra-red sauna. Upstairs there are large king size and twin bedrooms both with en-suite shower rooms and a quiet seating area.
The owners designed the house themselves so you won't find another like it and it's location is wonderful, surrounded by breath-taking Scottish scenery and very near a lovely big beach. For your next self-catering break come to Harris, stay at ailean and experience the beautiful Outer Hebrides. What will your special memory be?
Sauna
Sea View
Country View
Mountain View
Beach View
Moorland View
Exclusive Use
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Get DirectionsCheck-in Time:
16:00
Check-out Time:
10:00
Outside Description
You'll want to know about the beach first I think, Traigh Mhor is 375yards walk from the house, just a quick stroll. It's a fabulous beach and not so well known - often you have it all to yourself. A lovely beach with a huge dune, great rocks and pools to expolre when the tide is right. Plenty of other beaches are very nearby and the golf course is just about a mile to the south.
The house sits in half an acre of land which is mostly grassed with a wee wild bank area for the bees. There is a good fence round the whole thing and a gate (keep shut) so you can enjoy the antics of the woolly neighbours without having them make a visit! The driveway takes you round the back of the house to a large gravel area for parking and access to the back door. There is a garage with BBQ, outdoor furniture, supplies for the stove and so on. There is ramped access to a door at the rear of the lounge. The house is also equipped with windbreak, beach blanket, boule and sandcastle making equipment for youngsters. There are laundry hanging facilities and if it's too wet to hang outside there's a pulley in the utility room. We have lovely neighbours on one side but you can only see the house out of one window, the other 2 sides are croft land which stretches away back into the hills where you can find great views and lots of lochs! Just 10 minutes walk from the house you can explore the remains of a prehistoric Dun where the eagles like to perch and check out the cup marked rocks. It's a great vantage point.
Downstairs Description
Sit right down in the fabulous open plan living area and enjoy the view. The lounge area has double height ceiling and Morso wood burner. There is a TV of course, DVD, stereo, library with books, games, films and music. Plan your days and explorations using the OS maps and local information. The dining area adjoins and anyone working in the well equipped kitchen is still part of everything going on. Ice and water on tap from the fridge? Oh yes. Double oven, induction hob? Absolutely. There is a big hall, large utility/laundry room where you can hang your coats and leave your boots, a good sized king bedroom with garden and sea views and a huge bathroom with separate shower, double ended bath and infra red sauna. Bliss.
The hand-made curtains are our own special Harris Tweed designed for us by our good friend DJ MacKay from Luskentyre and are designed to restrict the view as little as possible. At night they transform the area into a cozy space but don't worry the original oil paintings by Willie and Moira Fulton from Drinishader make sure you have fabulous views to keep you going until tomorrow.
It's all about the windows, the light and the views.
First Floor Description
Lets trot up the stairs following the twinkly LED lights to the upstairs landing where there is a nice quiet area you can sit if you want some peace, it's a big hall. The master (kingsize) and twin bedrooms upstairs are very large indeed and have beautiful views from the windows. If you can't tear yourself away settle down on the step and just take it all in. The sunsets are amazing. Both the bedrooms upstairs have ensuite shower rooms with large level access enclosures. Delightful rooms full of light - blackout blinds provided!
I forgot to tell you the whole house has underfloor heating.
Window Views Description
There are lots and lots of windows in the house. The window cleaning bill is something fierce! The views are tremendous though and the house is full of light. Lie back on the couch in the lounge and look at the sky thraough the high fixed light in the gable, marvel at the ocean. The panorama at the front stretches from almost the golf course at Scarista in the south, Ceapabhal, Toe Head, the wonderous sea, the big dune on "our" beach, Taransay and the North Harris Hills. At the back you can see the Dun and crofting lands, a favourite view from the kitchen for me. If you go for a wee afternoon nap in the downstairs bedroom there's a sweet view over the garden to the sea, often we are visited by birdlife which you get a great view of from this room. Upstairs the veluxes and vertical windows at the front give fabulous sea views of the panorama at the front.
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Luxury Apartments
Tourist Attractions
Isle of Harris Distillery
A lovely distillery - more like an island family than a business really! Brilliant tours and a lovely cafe plus award winning gin, what's not to like?
Visit WebsiteHarris Tweed!
There are a number of tweed weavers in Harris where you can buy cloth. My 2 favourites are DJ Mackay at Luskentyre and Becca at Taobh Tuath, Northton. You will also find lots of places to buy tweed and local craft items. Also check out the Harris Tweed Museum in Drinishader.
Visit WebsiteArdbuidhe Cottage Gallery
There are a number of galleries on the island, this is one of our favourites, check out the paintings in the living area. Willie and Moira are lovely lovely people and the views from the gallery to Skye are quite amazing. Also look out for Finsbay Gallery where Valerie has long established links to many artists and therefore offers a range of styles and options. There is information in the leaflets box on lots of other gallery and artist options.
Visit WebsiteCallanish Stones
I like to join up a visit to Callanish with Carloway Broch and the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis and maybe throw in the soap company and Morven gallery along the way or a wee stop in Stornoway on the way back. In any event you have to go to Callanish and see the stones there at least once in your life. Follow this up with a walk to the Stone at Traigh Iar just to the north of the house along a lovely beach and check out the stone in the field at the far end of "our" beach.
Visit WebsiteSeallam
You might drive past Seallam and not realize you should go in so I've included it here. There are lots of other palces like St Clements at Rodel and Talla na Mara that are more obvious, this is a stealth location! It's always got a good exhibition on but it's main significance is local and genealogical history of Harris. If you have Harris forebears or are interested in the history of the island or crofting this is the place for you.
Visit WebsiteEating and Drinking
The Anchorage
Bistro style eatery and small bar with fabulous views over the Sound of Harris. Book ahead in high season.
Visit WebsiteLorna's Larder
Food van in Leverburgh snacks and meals. Lorna also runs a pop-up restaurant at the Ardbuidhe Cottage Gallery in Drinishader, booking essential. Started in 2019, going down a storm. else make your tea!
Visit WebsiteNorth Harbour Bistro, Scalpay
Well worth the drive to Scalpay. Fabulous food and now with a licence. Multi award winning chef George Lavery performs miracles in a tiny kitchen. Book to make sure you get in.
Visit WebsiteFood Stores
Sporting Attractions and Activities
FIshing
Salmon and trout fishing in Harris is some of the best anywhere. There are various options including Borve Lodge Estates (just round the corner), Amhuinnsuidhe, Stockinish and and FInsbay. If you are fishing (especially on the beach) please clean up and take all your kit home to avoid accidents with dogs and wildlife. Thank you.
Visit WebsiteWalking
Lots and lots of fabulous walking in Harris. You can find various grades from easy to more technical and testing walks, nothing enormous but thoroughly enjoyable way to enjoy the landscape, explore the history and wildlife spot. Don't forget the finest rock overhang in the UK at Sron Ulladale. OS maps are available at the house as well as local information so you can plan routes.
Visit WebsiteBoat trips & watersports
Boat trip to St Kilda, The Shiants, Taransay, Scarp ... The main operators are Kilda Cruises and Sea Harris. There are also great sea kayaking adventures to be had in Harris and surfing with Surf Lewis.
Visit WebsiteIsle of Harris golf course
A delightful and deceptively challenging 9 hole course a mile south of the house. The most amazing views while you enjoy your round. Annual Open Tournament winners receive a tailored Harris Tweed jacket. Small bag of clubs available at the house and hire clubs also available at the clubhouse.
Visit WebsiteHorse riding
Traigh Mhor pony trekking in Lewis hasn't been going all that long but is getting great reviews.
Visit WebsiteKitchen Equipment
- Oven/Hob
- Fridge/Freezer
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Dishwasher
- Ice Maker
- Liquidizer
- Underfloor Heating
- Coffee Machine
- Slow Cooker
- Filtered Drinking Water
Other Equipment
- Tumble Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Vacuum Cleaner
- TV
- DVD
- Sky or Free Sat/View
- Music System/CD/Radio
- Log/Multi Fuel Burner
- Underfloor Heating
- Carbon Neutral Pellet Boiler
- Wi-Fi/Broadband
- Hair Dryer
- King Size Bed
- Selection of DVD's
- Selection of Books and Games
- Telephone
- Twin Beds
Outdoor Features
- Enclosed Garden
- Garden Furniture
- BBQ
- Off Road Parking
- Bike Storage
Special Features
- Sauna
- Sea View
- Country View
- Mountain View
- Beach View
- Moorland View
- Exclusive Use
Special Services
- Ready-made Meals Delivered
- Supermarket Delivery Available
Included In Price
- Bed Linen
- Towels
- Basic Kitchen Provisions
- Heat/Light
- Logs/Coal
Pricing
Low Season
Low Season Week
Mid Season
Mid Season Week
High Season
High Season Week
