Occupying a prime position overlooking Loch an Ruathair, Loch Ruathair Cottage is nestled in the countryside two miles north of the tiny settlement of Kinbrace, 17 miles from Helmsdale and 37 miles from Thurso in beautiful Sutherland.
Quick Info
Sleeps: 2/6 | Bedrooms: 3 |
Changeover Day: Sun | Pets Allowed: Yes (1) |
No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
This traditional cottage, originally built to house Estate staff, has been thoroughly renovated and brought right up-to-date with all the modern comforts you could wish for. The sitting room is warm and inviting with comfortable seating centred round the cosy wood-burning stove.
The smart wood-panelled kitchen is well equipped with an integrated dining area. With such lovely loch views from the large picture windows to enjoy, you may decide to linger over the washing up rather than making use of the built-in dishwasher.
Off the central hallway is the family bathroom with a traditional panelled bath and also on this level are two smart twin bedrooms, both of which can convert into double rooms.
Upstairs is another bright double bedroom with large roof windows from which to admire the wonderful loch views. Just across the landing is a spacious, modern shower room (with walk-in shower) that is large enough to be used as a dressing room.
Outside is an extensive grassed garden with views out over open fields and down to the Strath of Kildonan, as well as across to the loch itself. There is trout fishing available on the estate’s many hill lochs (and on surrounding estates) or on the River Helmsdale, which is famous for its salmon fishing.
This is a place for relaxing, enjoying the stunning scenery and really ‘getting away from it all’. As an added bonus, being so far north and east the area enjoys relatively low rainfall levels and very long days in the summer.
The small village of Kinbrace (2 miles) is the nearest settlement and north of it lies the famous Flow Country, an area of peat and wetland that is thought to be the largest blanket bog in Europe. The RSPB manages a lot of the land as it is a vital habitat for many rare birds including red and black-throated divers, hen harriers, green shanks, short-eared owls and even golden eagles.
Kildonan (9 miles) is known as the ‘Town of Gold’ as it was the site of a frenzied gold rush back in the mid-1800s. If you fancy trying your luck you can still go prospecting in sections of the Kildonan Burn to this day, with equipment available to rent nearby.
The fishing village of Helmsdale (17 miles) sits at the mouth of the River Helmsdale with a busy port and a train station that is accessible on the Far North Line. The village is famous for its annual highlands games that it holds every summer with traditional games, pipe music, a parade and even mini highland games for the children. There is a selection of local shops and a small supermarket for essentials but for major shopping you are best to stock up at Tain on the way.
Just over an hour away is the small town of John O’Groats that is famous as the starting/finishing point for many 874 mile ‘John O’Groats to Land’s End’ charity challenges. From John O’Groats you can take day-long boat tours and wildlife cruises or take the ferry across to the charming Orkney isles. This group of around 70 islands have many beautiful sandy beaches and a wide variety of wildlife in their 13 nature reserves including porpoises, dolphins, puffins and many other seabirds.
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
Sitting room with wood-burning stove and TV/DVD
Dining/kitchen with microwave, fridge/freezer, electric oven and hob, dishwasher, washing machine, etc
Bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin
Twin bedroom (converts to double)
Twin bedroom (converts to double).
Upstairs
Double bedroom with en suite shower, WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
- Travel Cot (excluding linen)
- Free
Available Extras
- Pet
- £20.00
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. Electricity is INCLUDED. Heating is by oil central heating and wood-burning stove (logs INCLUDED). Satellite broadband is INCLUDED (not suitable for large downloads or video/TV streaming i.e. YouTube, Netflix). Water is from a private source which is UV filtered and regularly tested. A maximum of 1 dog is welcome (1 large, 1 medium, 1 small). 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: Sun
Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 2 | Sleeps 6 |
25 Aug 2024 - 14 Sep 2024 | £695.00 | £750.00 |
15 Sep 2024 - 05 Oct 2024 | £595.00 | £650.00 |
06 Oct 2024 - 26 Oct 2024 | £695.00 | £750.00 |
27 Oct 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 | £550.00 | £595.00 |
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | £850.00 | £850.00 |
28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | £850.00 | £850.00 |
06 Jan 2025 - 01 Feb 2025 | £550.00 | £595.00 |
02 Feb 2025 - 05 Apr 2025 | £595.00 | £650.00 |
06 Apr 2025 - 26 Apr 2025 | £695.00 | £750.00 |
27 Apr 2025 - 03 May 2025 | POA | POA |
04 May 2025 - 24 May 2025 | POA | POA |
25 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | POA | POA |
01 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 | POA | POA |
29 Jun 2025 - 19 Jul 2025 | POA | POA |
20 Jul 2025 - 30 Aug 2025 | POA | POA |
31 Aug 2025 - 13 Sep 2025 | POA | POA |
14 Sep 2025 - 04 Oct 2025 | POA | POA |
05 Oct 2025 - 25 Oct 2025 | POA | POA |
26 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | POA | POA |
20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | POA | POA |
28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | POA | POA |
06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | POA | POA |
06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | POA | POA |
06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA | 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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The location of the cottage was wonderful. Great views all around, and a lonely rail line across the road where tiny tra...
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very happy with our holiday
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Nice comfortable cottage although a bit remote. Must come back during the trout fishing season!
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The cottage is brilliant we have stayed there for over 5 years 👍
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Excellent house in great location for fishing the Halladale and hill lochs