Easter 2011 – Lochcarron.

This year Easter is a very late with Easter Saturday on April 23^rd resulting in a great cluster of Bank Holdays. The end of the week runs straight into the May-day Bank Holiday and now includes the additional Friday Bank Holiday recently announced.

This year Ian has done all the work of finding accommodation which is in Lochcarron village. This is at the western end of the glen on the north shore of Loch Carron.

Last year’s votes on areas had an overwhelming clustering around this area of the west coast so Lochcarron seems to be a good choice since it gives fairly easy access to all the areas with most votes (though it isn’t one itself!). Votes in this area were Skye (11), Kintail (5), Torridon (3). Others were: Ullapool/Laide (5), Aberfeldy (4), Oban (3), Lochinver (3), Corrour/Rannoch (2), Orkney (2).

This year we have hired a large collection of smaller cottages mainly in Lochcarron village. Three cottages are a short drive from the village, one in Strathcarron (4 miles) and 2 in Achnashellac ((9 miles)

To allow us to get together in the evening for meals etc we have also hired the village hall. The “upstairs hall” and kitchen are available to us all week except on Friday when we have it from 3pm. The hall is carpeted and the kitchen is 4 years old and has a large gas range, a hot food storage cupboard and a larder fridge. It has enough chairs and crockery though no large pans or cookware. (The hall downstairs is really for badminton etc)

A significant sum has been paid as a deposit to secure these houses and we will need to pay the balance in February 2011

So PLEASE let me have a firm commitment with a deposit of £140 per person as soon as possible

We’ve reserved the accommodation from Saturday 23^rd April to Saturday 30^th April 2011. Please note that this is the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday). 

 

 

 

 

Mountains and other Walks

Mountains

.Low Level Walks & Cycles

 

Tourism and Relaxation

Accommodation

Hawthornedene

Hawthorndene is a spacious cottage on the sea shore, refurbished to a high standard in 2008. It faces South East, with an uninterrupted view across the Loch and is conveniently located on the village main street.  Built in 1901, this is a classic cottage, refurbished with an attention to detail, which maintains its character

 

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Lounge with multifuel stove, TV with access to free-to air stations, DVD and CD players. Dining room,with and multifuel stove. Kitchen with electric cooker, dishwasher, fridge, microwave cooker. Small utility area with washing machine and separate tumble drier also as boot store. Toilet

Half Landing: Bathroom with an electric shaver point, an electric shower over the bath, a wash basin and toilet,

First Floor: Double bedroom with king-sized bed. Twin room with large single beds. Small box-room with a single bed..

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, starter pack of fuel, basic cleaning materials Heating and hot water is all electric, with heaters in all rooms, public rooms have multifuel stoves  A broadband connection is available

Dogs

One well-behaved dog is welcome, but must not go on the furniture, upstairs, or be left alone in the house.

Morriston

Moriston Cottage is conveniently located in the village opposite the church, within easy walking distance of the shops and local hotel. This is a comfortable cottage all on one floor that accommodates 4 people with ease. It provides a home from home that is delightfully cool in Summer and cosily warm in Winter.

 

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Rooms

Ground Floor: Entrance porch for leaving outdoor wear and footwear etc. Sitting/dining room. TV/DVD/CD/MP3. Double bedroom, Twin bedroom. Both bedrooms have ample shelving and hanging space in the fitted wardrobes.Kitchen with fridge/freezer, microwave and electric cooker.  Long utility/boiler room with washer/dryer. Stored. This is a warm indoor drying area. Bathroom with bath with shower over and deep airing cupboard. Also

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, basic cleaning materials. The house has oil-fired central heating, which is included in the price

Dogs

Pets are not allowed.

 Seabank   

Seabank is unique in its position in the village of Lochcarron. It stands alone on the shore of the Loch, and is easily found on arrival, as it is the only cottage on the shore side of the main street. There is a secluded sitting out area above the beach, and the cottage has its own off road parking area. The cottage is warm and well maintained and it has been awarded 4 stars by the Scottish Tourist Board and a Silver, Green Tourism Award. It is so close to the sea that at very high tides (early spring and late October usually) the waves can reach the house, and this gives the visitor a very special experience. While being firmly on dry land visitors can almost believe themselves to be on a boat!

 

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Living room with open fire, colour television  with freeview, Kitchen with electric oven and hob, microwave, refrigerator, automatic washing machine, tumble dryer and electric fire.

First Floor: Twin bedroom, bathroom with large bath with electric shower, toilet, bidet, and wash hand basin.

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, starter pack of fuel, basic cleaning materials. All of the rooms have night storage heaters, these and the hot water are on the white meter and are included in the price. Additional electricity is on a £1 coin meter on a pay - as - you - use system. There is an open fireplace in the lounge and fuel for the fire can be bought locally. The beds have electric blankets, duvets and pillows

Dogs

Pets welcome (at extra charge), but not on the furniture

Torr Fion   

Tor Fionn is on the sea front in Lochcarron village with a magnificent view over the loch. The house is one of the oldest in the village, recently renovated to a high standard while retaining its traditional Highland character. Tor Fionn has been awarded 4 stars under the Scottish Tourist Board Quality Assurance Scheme and a Green Tourism Silver Award.

 

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Living room with open fire & colour television. Kitchen – dining room with electric fire,  electric cooker, microwave, refrigerator and automatic washer-dryer.

First Floor: Two large bedrooms, a double and a twin both with electric panel heater.  All beds have electric blankets, hypoallergenic duvets and pillows; Bathroom with an electric shower into the bath, a toilet and wash hand basin. and heated towel rail.

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, starter pack of fuel, basic cleaning materials. Additional electricity is on a £1 coin meter on a pay-as-you-use system  Downstairs the hall lounge and kitchen each have a storage heater, and these along with the hot water are included in the price. There is an open fireplace in the lounge and fuel for the fire can be bought locally. A broadband connection is available.

Dogs

Pets welcome (at extra charge), but not on the furniture .

 Roisin Dhu 

Roisin Dhu is a single story bungalow which is pine lined throughout and is Scandinavian in design. It is a solidly built bungalow, which is approximately 30 years old. The view from the lounge, the patio area and each of the bedrooms is lovely, overlooking the sea Loch and Attadale. To the rear is a wood and the bungalow is situated on a cul-de-sac, which affords it both privacy, and a quiet location. There is off road parking beside the cottage and the garden in front is fenced all round.

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Rooms

Ground Floor: Twin bedroom and two double bedrooms. Bathroom fitted with an electric shower over the bath, a wash hand basin and toilet

Kitchen with electric cooker, microwave oven, refrigerator, automatic washing machine, dishwasher. tumble dryer, ironing board, toaster etc.

Lounge with television, SKY free to view channels, DVD and video players, stereo with CD player.

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, kitchen and tea towel, basic cleaning materials. A set of towels per person is included, (1 hand and 1 bath towel). All electric heating with heaters in every room, and the hot water is included in the price

Dogs

Pets are not allowed.

 Harbour Cottage 

Harbour Cottage is a spacious property for 4 people, which is located close to the sea shore of Lochcarron. Arriving at the cottage nothing could be better than settling in and appreciating the stunning sea view. Harbour Cottage is situated yards from the beach in the secluded bay of Slumbay, 1.2miles from the centre of the village.

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Rooms

Ground Floor: Lounge with open fire, TV and DVD player. Kitchen with oil fired rayburn, which provides the back ground heating for the cottage, electric cooker with oven and grill, fridge, separate freezer, dishwasher, microwave. Washing machine available.

Double bedroom, with an ensuite shower room,

First Floor: Twin bedroom

Included

The oil rayburn and hot water are included. Bed linen and a set of towels per person. Electricity is on a pay as you use basis a £1 coin meter.

Coal for the fire is not included in the rent but can be purchased locally.

Dogs

Not specified

Garden Cottage 

Garden Cottage, has a secluded setting, and is perfectly located for a variety of walks in the Achnashellach area including several Munros. The cottage is set in a stunning position at the foot of the mountain ‘Fuar Tholl’ in a mature garden. Garden Cottage underwent a complete renovation in 2003 and has been refurbished to a high standard with under-floor heating, oak floors and an air filtering system. This is a comfortably modern cottage which retains its original character and has the feel of a family home. Most of the rooms in the house are sunny and south facing.

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Sitting room with wood burning stove, video and DVD player, free-view satellite TV and Wifi. Kitchen with gas hob, electric oven/grill, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, radio/cassette/CD player, and washing machine. Drying room. Dining room, Study. A second lounge and dining room which is spacious yet cosy with the underfloor heating and the option of the open fire. Bedroom with 3 single beds and direct access to a second bathroom

First Floor: .Twin bed room, bedroom with a king size bed, Bathroom with toilet, washbasin and a powerful hydrostatic shower over the bath.

 Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, starter pack of fuel, basic cleaning materials. WiFi and free-view satellite TV. The heating system is very effective and there is always plenty of hot water. The duvets and pillows are hypo-allergenic. A broadband connection is available

Dogs

Pets welcome (£10 each),

 Gardener's Cottage 

Gardener's Cottage is a traditional detached Highland cottage which has been tastefully modernised. The property is situated in a quiet rural location just off a private drive, approximately ¼ mile from the main road, well away from traffic noise. Outside there is an attractive open-plan lawned garden with mature shrubs. The cottage is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery and there are superb views, both from within the cottage and also from the garden. Virtually all the rooms in the cottage have magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Sitting room with wood burning stove, Dining room/kitchen, Bathroom - bath + shower, Large entrance porch with seating + superb view, Utility/drying room

First Floor: double bedroom, twin bedroom, small single bedroom, Additional upstairs WC

Included

Heating, electricity, bed linen and towels. A supply of wood is also included for the wood-burning stove.

Dogs

Pets are allowed.

 The Bothy 

The Bothy, Achnashellach. The cottage stands in the same beautiful gardens and peaceful location as Garden Cottage. It has been completely renovated over the winter of 2008/09. The Bothy is a few hundred yards away from the Lair River, which has a waterfall near to the cottage.

 

 

Rooms

Ground Floor: Lobby for outdoor clothing and footwear. Lounge with TV, DVD player and open fireplace. Kitchen with fridge freezer, electric cooker with oven, grill and hot plates. small microwave oven, toaster. Area off the kitchen which houses a washing machine & clothes airer.

First Floor: One double and one twin bedroom, Bathroom with bath with electric power shower, toilet and wash hand basin and electric heated towel rail.

 

Included

Background heating, hot water, bed linens, one hand towel and one bath towel per person, kitchen and tea towel, basic cleaning materials Rooms have electric storage heaters, all the heating and hot water is included in the price except no fuel for the fire is supplied.

Dogs

Pets welcome (£10 each),

 Tarlogie 

Tarlogie is located in Croft Road, a very quiet semi-rural side road on the edge of Lochcarron village and is a small modern 2 bedroom bungalow with accommodation for up to 4 people, well suited to couples and small families. Outside, there is a large open-plan garden area with patio furniture, and ample off-road parking space for 2 or 3 cars.Although the bungalow is situated away from the main part of Lochcarron village, there is quick access on foot to the shops, pub, restaurant, bank, etc..

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Rooms

Ground Floor: One double bedroom and one twin room. Lounge with TV & video. Kitchen with electric cooker, microwave, washing machine and fridge/freezer. Shower room with WC and hand basin..

Included

Bed linen is included in the price. Towels are not included. Oil-fired central heating throughout and electricity are included in the price

Dogs

Pets welcome but not on the furniture

 Eating Together

The village Hall will seat 40 at least.

There are 2 trays of cutlery in the bottom middle picture to the left plus a  couple of wooden spoons. We may need to bring serving spoons / dishes and will need pans from the houses.We must take care to return them to the correct prpoerty.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers except accommodation cost are based on analysis of the 2010 bill)

(in 2010 Accommodation cost was £216

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

          Hire cars and their fuel

          Fuel for private cars

          Flights /trains etc to Scotland

Decisions and Deposits Please

We have paid £750 in deposits. The remainder follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to mostly cover the house booking.

Please send deposits of £140 per person as soon as you feel able! (See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking).