Easter 2017 – “The North”.

This year Easter is rather later, with Easter Saturday on April 15th. Last Easter a majority of us chose “north” as our preference for Easter 2017 …. So north it is! I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday 15th April to Saturday 22nd April 2017 in Durness. We have never before stayed so far north – any further and we’ll get wet feet! Please note that this is the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday). The accommodation this year is all within a mile or less of Durness village where we have the use of the modern village hall every evening. The hall will comfortably accommodate us and has a kitchen and equipment to cater for large groups (e.g weddings).   I estimate the cost will be between £205 and £235 per person for the week depending on how numbers fit the houses. I have reserved 5 houses – a large house to sleep 17 plus 4 smaller cottages. I also have first option on Gualin House (which will sleep 10 in twin rooms and looks superb, though 10 miles away) but since the owners are not able to confirm a booking until early December I decided not to rely on this. As usual I have paid out deposits to secure the five houses and I will need to pay the balances before February 15th 2017. I need confirmation of numbers as soon as possible since I am concerned that if numbers fall short of my guess, I may need to release one of the houses and need to tell Gualin house that I will or will not book it. PLEASE let me have a firm commitment with a deposit of £220 per person as soon as possible I anticipate that this will cover the accommodation cost +/-£20 depending on numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

Mountains and other Walks

Mountains

 

 

 

.Low Level Walks

 

Tourism and Relaxation

Cape Wrath Ferry and bus	Smoo Cave
The ferry will be running from Good Friday until Tuesday though this depends on the weather and the need to avoid being shot/bombed. The bus meets the ferry taking a leisurely 1 hour to reach Cape Wrath where there is a café. The same bus returns after 50 minutes or stay for a later one. (see the walks above)	A short walk from Durness and set into limestone cliffs, Smoo Cave is quite large - 200 feet long, 130 feet wide, and 50 feet high at the entrance. Entry is free though boat trips into the inner cave cost £4 and operate between 11am and 4pm (weather dependant).

North Coast Drive & Duscanby Head This  2¼ hour  drive takes you along the coast via Tongue and Thurso. On the way call at the excellent Strathnaver Museum at Betty Hill. It is housed in the former Parish Church and has a theme of the Highland Clearances. At Thurso the “Caithness Museum ” tells the story of the county of Caithness from 416 million years ago to the present day including the Picts, the Vikings and the history of the Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment. Approaching John O’Groats  we pass the most northerly mainland Castle – the picturesque Castle of Mey. In 2016 the castle and its gardens did not open until mid-May so may not be open. Dunscanby Head is 7 miles further where there are fine walks along the spectacular cliff scenery.	Dunrobin Castle & Gardens In under 2 hours we can reach Dunrobin Castle just on the east coast 20 miles beyond Lairg. There are gardens, grounds a museum which retains its Victorian-early 20th century arrangement, making it one of the most remarkable private collections in the British Isles. There are also daily falconry demonstrations, all together making this a full day visit.	Balnakeil Craft Village At first sight, Balnakeil Craft Village can seem a forbidding place.  The ex-military buildings do not lend themselves easily to being prettified and require constant maintenance. However, a closer look rewards the visitor with many quirky details including decorative tiles around doorways and set into pavements, and sculptural pieces by ceramicist Lotte Glob and woodworker Alan Herman, both early residents There is a diverse range of residents. Businesses include two studio galleries selling paintings and prints, a ceramic and textile artist, a mosaic artist, a boat builder, an enamel artist, a woodwind instrument repairer and wood turner, a stained glass artist, a mixed media artist, and a leather worker. Some operate premises open to the public, others work to order. Some are seasonal, some open all year round. There is a bookshop/gallery and an artisan bakery plus chocolatier with coffee shop.

 

Accommodation

Balnakeil House (Sleeps 17)

Set above Balnakeil Bay near Durness, Balnakeil House is an A Listed nine bedroom Highland lodge that was built by the Mackay chiefs as a family mansion on the site of an earlier building which had at one time been the summer palace of the medieval Bishops of Caithness. Now fully restored, it has been sympathetically refurbished to provide a unique and luxurious experience.

The setting is magical; all rooms have spectacular sea or mountain views; step out the back door and onto the mile and a half long white sandy beach. Step into a timeless décor of earthy colours in sympathy with the surroundings, solid wooden furniture and heated slate floors, lovely muted plaids and tweeds from Anta. Enter to find the superbly equipped kitchen with an Aga at one end and a stove at the other separated by a 4.5m long oak table; it makes the perfect spot to gather and socialise whilst preparing and enjoying meals. A games room with table football, board games, books, DVDs, stove, a comfy sofa and a flat screen TV will keep the young at heart entertained, whilst those requiring quieter moments can rest in the sumptuous drawing room upstairs, with a fantastic view over the beach, The nine bedrooms are welcoming and exceptionally comfortable, with crisp white linen over memory foam mattresses.

 

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Kitchen/dining/living – includes table to seat 16/17, games room with pool table and flat screen TV, drawing room, dining room to seat 18, 1 twin (can be made into super king), separate WC, bathroom with bath no shower.

First Floor:
2 king size doubles, 1 twin (can be made into super king), half landing shower room, 1 en-suite shower room..

Second Floor

2 twins (can be made into super kings), 5 single beds (2 passageway rooms separated by a curtain & 1 single bedroom suitable for a child), 2 bathrooms with baths and showers.

Equipment

Telephone - with honesty box 2 dishwashers, 3 Extra TVs, Aga, Dryer, DVD player, Fridge with ice box, Fridge/freezer, Microwave, Washing machine, Wi-fi

Outside
Ample parking, Private garden, BBQ, Beach side location

Included

Muli fuel stove - starter pack of coal included

Oil and electricity included

Linen and towels provided (including beach towels)

Dogs
1 Pet only - £25.00 charge per Week per Pet. Restricted to ground; 

 

Kyle View (Sleeps 4)

In front of Kyle View and Shore cottages is the Kyle of Durness which is tidal with wonderful sandy stretches at low tide. A mile takes you to the beautiful beaches at Balnakeil of which the sand dunes are an outstanding feature. Within a further two miles you will find other wonderful deserted beaches.

 

 

Rooms

Ground Floor:

King size double, and two single rooms. Two shower rooms. Lounge/diner with sofa and armchairs. Open fire (coal is available upon request). Television with freeview channels and DVD player. Kitchen with range cooker, fridge, freezer and microwave and washing machine.

Equipment

Oil fired central heating

Outside
Enclosed grassed garden with off road parking

Included

Heating & electricity
Linen and towels are provided

Wi-Fi

Dogs
Pets accepted by arrangement.

 

Shore (Sleeps 4)

A cottage with well designed, modern, good quality fixtures and fittings. The cottage has an excellent lay out and is warm and comfortable, with magnificent views.

 

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Bedroom with king size bed and luxury en-suite bathroom.

Bedroom with twin beds and luxury en-suite shower room.

Open plan lounge/kitchen with full height windows overlooking the Kyle.

Fully equipped modern kitchen with integral oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and washing machine.

Equipment

Cosy wood burning stove plus underfloor heating throughout, WiFi, television, DVD player and ipod/iphone dock.

Satellite / Cable Television, Video Library. Ooil fired central heating

Outside
Parking, Garden with uninterrupted view across the loch

Included

Heating & electricity
Linen and towels are provided,

Wi-Fi

Dogs
No dogs

 

Cranstacky (Sleeps 4)

Craigmor and Cranstackie are a pair of stone built cottages dating back to 1880 situated within the quiet crofting village of Durness. Tastefully renovated by our own craftsmen, Craigmor and Cranstackie incorporate all the comforts of a high quality holiday home whilst retaining many original features.

 

The croft behind the cottages features rocky outcrops and is ideal for older children to scramble about on. Our friendly sheep do the grass cutting! Magnificent Sango Bay, which is ideal for children, with its expanse of pure white sand and delightful rock pools; the grocers, the gift shop and the pub are all within a short stroll. The garden is shared with Craigmor.

 

At the end of the day, relax in the cosy, mellow atmosphere of antique pine and natural stone and enjoy the glowing comfort of a real fire.

 

  

 

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Sitting room with open fire. dining area, hand-made kitchen. Multi-fuel stove in sitting room

First Floor:

One double bedroom with extra single bed and one twin bedroom, Bathroom, bath, bath shower and WC

Equipment

Electric double oven, ceramic hob, microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine/ tumble dryer/ dishwasher

Full electric central heating – double boosted each day.

Satellite flat screen TV

Outside
Large rear garden with furniture, Stone barbecue, private parking

Included

Heating & electricity
All linen, pillows and duvet provided

Wi-Fi

Dogs
Pet-friendly, subject to a returnable pet surcharge

Craigmor (Sleeps 8)

Craigmor, our four bedroom cottage, offers spacious accommodation featuring a king sized master bedroom, separate shower and bathrooms, laundry room, and large quarry tiled kitchen. With its ample car parking,

 

Ground Floor:

Sitting room with wo eight feet long comfy sofas, multi-fuel stove & pine dining table. Hand-made kitchen with pine breakfast table, electric double oven, ceramic hob, Double bedroom. Bathroom and WC. Utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer

First Floor:

Master bedroom with hand-made kingsize bed. Adjacent shower room and WC, Two twin bedded bedrooms

Equipment

Dishwasher, microwave, fridge freezer

Full electric central heating – double boosted each day

Satellite flat screen TV, video, DVD, Hi-fi, Free, fast BT Wi-Fi broadband

Outside
Large rear garden with furniture, Stone barbecue, private parking at the property

Included

All linen, pillows and duvet provided

Dogs
Pet-friendly, subject to a returnable pet surcharge

Eating Together

Balnakeil House clearly has sufficient space for us all to eat together but the owners are not happy for us to do this. I have instead hired Durness Village Hall from Saturday until Friday (possibly others will use it until mid afternoon). The hall holds wedding receptions and has sufficient space for us each to “swing a cat” and corresponding cooking and eating equipment, chairs and tables.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers except accommodation cost are based on analysis of the 2016 bill)

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

Deposits Please

Please send deposits of £220 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.

I have paid a total in deposits of £1746. The balance of £5,680 (including breakage deposits) follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to potentially cover the house bookings.