What a superbly placed holiday cottage for anyone wishing to explore the area round Inverness, the Moray Coast or the north-west coast of Scotland! The Cottage at Broomhill is just 5 minutes' drive from the A9 at the Tore roundabout, where roads spin you off to Ullapool, the hills of Torridon, and Skye, John o'Groats, Glen Affric and, of course, Loch Ness.
Inverness as the 'capital' of the Highlands with its leisure facilities, shops, restaurants, theatre and cinemas, is less than 10 minutes drive away and in winter there is the possibility of skiing at Aviemore just 45 minutes away. The National Cycle Route no 1 runs past the end of the road and not far away are the Black Isle Brewery, which produces organic beers and lagers, and Ryefield Farm shop where you can buy locally produced vegetables and soft fruit in season.
Despite its accessible location, this 180-year-old traditional whitewashed cottage is peacefully situated, approached along a short wooded track off a narrow, quiet country lane. It stands in 1 acre of its own partly wooded grounds with a small stream, partially enclosed with lawn (furniture), mixed cottage garden borders and kitchen garden with herbs. Woodland to the north and west gives shelter and there are open views to the south over rolling countryside. It has an attractive sun lounge from which, in less clement weather, you can sit and watch red kites, buzzards, and many other garden and woodland birds plus the visiting roe deer and the occasional red squirrel or pine marten. There is plenty parking at the house and on the driveway.
The house has been a much-loved home for the owner and the interior is family-friendly and full of charm and character. It is brightly and comfortably furnished, with varnished wooden floors on the ground floor. The cosy sitting room has a piano, books to read and swap and a wood-burner to supplement the oil-CH, as well as TV, DVD and video player. The spacious, light-filled dining-kitchen, with its high sloping pine ceiling, tiled floor and patio doors opening onto the view towards to the distant Monadliath hills, was added by the owner 15 years ago, and is welcoming, well-equipped and practical.
There is a double bedroom and bathroom downstairs, while upstairs are a twin bedroom (can be pushed together Continental-style), a WC and a third bedroom/office which is best suited to a child, being furnished with a single bed and benefiting from a selection of toys .
Apart from the opportunities of exploring much of the best of the Scottish Highlands, the immediate area also has lots to offer. Here, you are on the Black Isle, the wonderful peninsula which juts out between the Moray and Cromarty Firths, with the picturesque village of Cromarty at its tip and the attractive coastal villages of Fortrose with its ruined abbey, Avoch (pronounced 'Och') with former fishing harbour and Rosemarkie with its sandy beach, beach cafe and children's playground. All these places offer shops and great eating places.
There is a rather fiendish sea-fringed links golf course at Fortrose and others at Alness, Strathpeffer and of course Castle Stuart, where the Scottish Open in currently being held each year in July. For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers there is bird watching at Munlochy and Udale bay, dolphin watching at Chanonry Point, sheltered woodland walks, cycling in the forest and on quiet country roads and, for the more adventurous, mountain bike trails at Learnie.
Bed linen, towels, electricity and the first £15 of oil-CH are INCLUDED in the rental. Wi-fi up to 2.5 GB per week is available, subject to provider. One well-behaved pet is welcome by arrangement but with sheep in the adjoining fields, must be kept under strict control. Smoking is not permitted in the cottage.
