The Black Isle, actually a peninsula between the Moray and Cromarty Firths just north of Inverness, is a truly lovely part of Scotland.
Quick Info
Sleeps: 8 | Bedrooms: 4 |
Changeover Day: Sat | Pets Allowed: Yes (1) |
No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
There is so much to commend this area - the smiling countryside, pretty villages, beaches, wildlife galore and the excellent situation for touring the north and north west Highlands.
The pretty village of Rosemarkie is on the south side of the peninsula. On the hill above the village, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the village centre and 5 minutes from the beach, is The Old Schoolhouse. This substantial semi-detached Victorian house is now completely and most beautifully refurbished and modernised.
The house has a quiet and secluded situation and perhaps the first thing that strikes you on entering is how spacious all of the rooms are. The sitting room is a case in point, bright and most elegantly and comfortably furnished, with a large open fire creating a warm ambience. The large dining kitchen, with its fine wood flooring is, if anything, even more spectacular in scale. It is light and bright and forms a real heart for the house. There also a double bedroom and shower room downstairs for added convenience.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms, a double and two twins. All of the bedrooms are large, extremely comfortable and beautifully furnished. They are also very airy with large windows (some with additional Velux ones) and lovely views over the village to the sea. An additional modern bathroom completes the accommodation.
The Old Schoolhouse offers superlative comfort and is ideal for larger parties or for two families that want to holiday together.
Rosemarkie and its neighbour, Fortrose (the two more or less run into each other) are picturesque little places and have shops, galleries and good restaurants.
Perhaps the jewel in their crown, if you exclude the attractive ruin of the old Cathedral in Fortrose, is the spit of land which runs out from the villages into the Moray Firth at Chanonry Point. Chanonry Point is arguably the best site in Europe for spotting dolphins, as they swim through the narrows there into the inner Sound. The spit is also the site of an excellent and fiendishly challenging golf course, sandwiched between the gorse bushes and the sea and guaranteed to test even the most skilful golfer.
Further back down the road towards Inverness, there is Munlochy Bay, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) that is famed for its wildfowl. The Black Isle Wildlife Park is also down that way and you should keep an eye out for the red kites which have recently been reintroduced into this area. They are often to be seen near the Tore roundabout, where the A832 joins the A9.
Another local curiosity is the original Clootie Well, adapted by Ian Rankin into one of his Rebus novels. It may not be to your taste, but is well worth a look! Finally, the charming village of Cromarty at the end of the peninsula,should not be missed.
A little further afield, there is of course bustling Inverness itself with all the facilities one could wish and beyond it Loch Ness, Glen Affric and Glen Cannich, perfect for walking and picnics and you may even spot a golden eagle. To the north west is the spa village of Strathpeffer, which has managed to retain much of its Victorian elegance. Beyond there you can be on Skye in just over an hour. Trips to John O' Groats and the far north are also easily achievable in a day.
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Downstairs
Dining kitchen with electric cooker, dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer etc.
Sitting room with open fire, TV/DVD, CD/iPod docking station
Utility room with washing machine
Double bedroom
Shower room with shower, WC and wash basin
Upstairs
Double bedroom
Twin bedroom
Twin bedroom
Bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin
What's included
- Cot (excluding linen)
- Free
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Highchair
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
Available Extras
- Pet
- £20.00
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. The first £35 of electricity is INCLUDED with any additional usage payable by meter reading at the end of your stay. Heating is by oil central heating (first £20 INCLUDED with any additional payable at the end of your stay) and open fire (fuel INCLUDED). WiFi is INCLUDED. A maximum of 1 dog is welcome at an additional charge (1 large, 1 medium or 1 small). If you wish to bring any other pets please contact us and we will see what we can do. No smoking.
Weekly Prices
The weekly guide prices for this property are shown below. Use the availability & book sidebar on the right to select your holiday or calculate short break rates (where available).
From 11/10/2024 to 14/10/2024
From 18/10/2024 to 21/10/2024
From 04/04/2025 to 07/04/2025
Changeover Day: Sat
Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 8 |
24 Aug 2024 - 13 Sep 2024 | £1,195.00 |
14 Sep 2024 - 04 Oct 2024 | £1,095.00 |
05 Oct 2024 - 25 Oct 2024 | £1,195.00 |
26 Oct 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 | £995.00 |
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | £1,395.00 |
28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | £1,395.00 |
06 Jan 2025 - 31 Jan 2025 | £995.00 |
01 Feb 2025 - 04 Apr 2025 | £1,095.00 |
05 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025 | £1,195.00 |
26 Apr 2025 - 02 May 2025 | POA |
03 May 2025 - 23 May 2025 | POA |
24 May 2025 - 30 May 2025 | POA |
31 May 2025 - 27 Jun 2025 | POA |
28 Jun 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 | POA |
19 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 | POA |
30 Aug 2025 - 12 Sep 2025 | POA |
13 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | POA |
04 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 | POA |
25 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | POA |
20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | POA |
28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | POA |
06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | POA |
06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | POA |
06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA |
Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking. If your party size changes for any reason after booking, please let us know so we can ensure the accommodation provided meets your exact requirements.
Reviews
(Supplied Independently through Feefo)
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We had a great holiday and the accommodation suited the family gathering perfectly. House would be even better if they h...
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great wee house -- actually great big house! -- with a host who could not have been more helpful or understanding.
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Great cottage with two bathrooms and large kitchen and living-room. Clean and in a very good state. Not far from beach a...
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Beautiful location, and views for us as a family. We loved The Old School and have wonderful memories there.
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Our 4th or 5th stay at the Old Schoolhouse thoroughly enjoyed by us all.