Easter 2006 – Laide.

This year Easter is rather late with Easter Saturday on April 15th.

Laide is on the north-westerly peninsular which forms the southern bank of Loch Broom & Gruinard Bay on one side and the north/easterly bank of Loch Ewe on the other.. As the main road from the Falls of Measach past An Teallac (the “Road of Desolation”) turns south at Altbea, a smaller dead-end road continues north onto the peninsular. Laide is about 1 mile along this. The ‘large’ accommodation this year is another ex-hotel and looks out across Gruinard Island and the Bay in the direction of Ullapool.  As usual I’ve listed a few highlights below.

I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday 15^th April to Saturday 22^nd April 2006. Please note that this IS the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday). 

The big house will sleep 18 and additionally, amongst the hotel buildings is Sand Cottage which sleeps 5. Perhaps half a mile away is the former crofter’s house of ‘No.13 Sand” which sleeps 6.  My earlier poll of your intentions suggests we should fit these with a couple of places to spare – there are 29 in what I’ve reserved. I felt this poll was necessary since the large house is fairly costly and accommodates so many that to over-book would significantly increase the cost to everyone.

Getting there: Inverness is the most convenient airport, though the adventurous may consider Stornaway to be nearer …and then arrive by ferry!

Mountains and other Walks

The area abounds with much climbed and much loved Munros such as An Teallac, the Ben Dearg group, and Fannichs which I feel sure will be visited again and again. Slightly further away the mountains of Torridon offer not only wonderful Munros but fine Corbets. Nearby there are several Corbets – though all but one offer a significant challenge as they lie within probably the most remote area of the highlands, the Fisherfield forest. In here too lies the Munro which in my opinion has the most majestic view in Scotland …… A’Mhaighdean. However remote is an understatement!

There’s some fine walking locally too. Laide’s peninsular has an unspoilt beach at Melion Udrigle; it has a track leading to it’s remote north tip as well as the potential of coastal exploration or a car-swap walk.. Nearby the Gruinard River leads towards Fisherfield with the possibility of a circular trip to Loch na Sealge beneath the remote southern face of An Teallac.

Tourism and Relaxation

There are several very short walks and places to visit near-by. Gairloch is the local “city” – very pretty with a fine beach. Beyond Gairloch there is a scenic drive to Red Point which with its miles of unspoilt beach – a fantastic place for a run on firm flat sand along the edge of the surf.  Less known are the waterfalls at Ardessie. These are two 40ft falls with the lower one visible from the road.

Another shortish round of 3 miles will take you to the scenic Fairy Lochs where there are the remains of a war-time aircraft..The walk starts beyond Badachro near to the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. Apparently, the crew of nine and six passengers were, returning home after the war on the 13th June 1945. It seems the aircraft struck the top of Slioch and lost some bomb bay door parts. The descent continued until they broke through the cloud base over Gairloch. They circled once round the loch, possibly looking for a place to ditch, and may have decided on the sea loch itself. The aircraft was on the run in when they just failed to clear the rocky spurs by the Fairy Lochs.

Accommodation

Sand House

 

Sleeps 18 Enjoying spectacular sea views, in one of the most popular areas of Scotland, Sand House nestles beneath the famous mountain of An Teallach and has all the comforts of a private home with the benefits of a former hotel. All bedrooms are en-suite, there are several seating areas allowing moments of privacy and the large dining room can accommodate everyone. In addition there is a large games/ceilidh room with a pool table, table tennis table and a marvellous wooden floor for dancing.

Accommodation: Entrance porch, sitting room with sea views, TV room with wood burning stove, games/ceilidh room with wood burning stove, cloakroom, drying room, dining room, cooks kitchen, family bedroom with a double room and adjoining twin bedroom with en-suite shower room, twin bedroom with en-suite shower room. Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower over, two twin bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms with shower over, two single bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, two further double rooms with en-suite shower rooms.

Included:
Linen and towels provided, wood burning stoves, night store heating and electric panel heaters, complimentary fuel and electricity included. TV, video, electric cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, access to laundry area with automatic washing machine, tumble drier, garden with furniture,

Sand Cottage

 

With stunning views over Gruinard Bay to the Summer Isles beyond, Sand Cottage is a single storey property enjoying a light, bright interior.

Accommodation: sitting room with LPG real flame stove, dining/kitchen, double bedroom, twin bedroom, single bedroom, bathroom with shower over bath.

Included:

Linen and towels provided. Gas heating. Gas and electricity included. tv, gas cooker, microwave, fridge, access to laundry room with automatic washing machine and tumble dryer, garden with furniture.

No 13 Sand

 

Set in a dramatic landscape of mountains and sandy beaches, with breathtaking views round every corner, this former crofthouse has been extended and refurbished to provide spacious and comfortable accommodation in a peaceful setting within an enclosed garden.

Accommodation: Sitting room with multi-fuel stove, dining room with open fire, well-equipped kitchen, utility room, twin bedroom, shower room. Double bedroom, twin bedroom, bathroom with electric shower over bath

Included:

Linen provided, not towels. Electric heating, multi fuel stove and open fire. Electricity and complimentary fuel included. TV, video (with selection of videos), CD player, gas cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, garden furniture, honesty telephone and pinball machine.

Eating Together

I hope the dining room at the hotel will accommodate us all.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be:

In addition to this there is the cost of transport i.e.:

          Hire cars and their fuel

          Fuel for private cars (~£130-£150 per car last year)

          Flights /trains etc to Scotland

Decisions and Deposits Please

I have paid deposits (around £600 of which was in November2004!) and will have to pay the remainder soon after Christmas so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can.

Please send deposits of £100 per person (children £50) as soon as you feel able so my bank account feels less exposed! (See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking).

                                                Phil