Rowan Cottage
Dornoch Firth, Near Ardgay, Sutherland
Rowan Cottage is set in a peaceful haven on its own little peninsula that is home to a wealth of wildlife, within 17 acres of private woodland and seashore overlooking the Dornoch Firth in Sutherland.
Quick Info
| Sleeps: 4 | Bedrooms: 2 |
| Changeover Day: Sat | Pets Allowed: No |
| No smoking | Bathrooms: 2 |
This traditional, 200-year old stone house has been fully refurbished to give a real 'home-from-home' feel that is ideal for 4 people or even just a couple. Comfortable seating has been centred around the wood-burning stove in the sitting room that has a useful dining area towards the back of the room. French doors flood the room with light and lead out to the garden and a lovely, suntrap patio seating area.
The spacious kitchen is well-equipped with all the appliances you could need, including a large gas range cooker that is an absolute joy to cook on. Also on this level is a handy WC.
Upstairs are two charming bedrooms, a double (king-size) and a twin room (with zip link beds that can be converted into a super king-size bed). They are both beautifully presented and have the benefit of having their own en suite bathroom facilities.
The cottage has with its own secluded walled garden (with BBQ) and there is plenty of parking right at the door.
Wildlife spotters will have plenty to look out for as the cottage shares its tranquillity with deer, osprey, seals, ducks, geese and other migratory birds. It is a great place to unwind, walk, paint and generally enjoy the lovely surroundings. The owner is also developing a reserve for winter wildfowl and waders.
The villages of Bonar Bridge (3 miles) and Ardgay (3 miles, shops, a hotel and railway station) are in easy reach and it is only 45 minutes’ drive to the ‘capital of the highlands’ Inverness.
Sutherland and Easter Ross is a largely undiscovered corner of north-east Scotland, with some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The Dornoch Firth claims a micro-climate with the least rainfall and most prolonged sunshine in Scotland.
Within 15 miles are some wonderful sandy beaches, golf courses such as the world-renowned Royal Dornoch Championship links course and other excellent courses at Bonar Bridge and Tain. Highland rivers, the Oykel, Cassely, Carron and Shin just ask to be fished and there is a salmon leap at the spectacular Falls of Shin.
Birdwatchers can visit Loch Fleet, a few miles east of Dornoch, where large numbers of geese, ducks and waders can be seen, while seals can often be spotted basking on the sand-bar in the middle of the bay. There are wildlife cruises in the Cromarty Firth while Lochinver and Ullapool, the glorious beaches round the Kyle of Durness and the Smoo Cave (a firm favourite with children) are just an hour and a half away.
For whisky lovers, the area boasts some of the most prestigious distilleries which you can visit and sample the wares, such as the famously elusive Clynelish at Brora, Glenmorangie at Tain, or the area's own Balblair Distillery (visits by appointment only).
Labelled by some as ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’, the North Coast 500 passes nearby at Tain. This circular north highland driving route is 516 miles long in total, starting in Inverness and crossing over to Applecross, then heading up the west coast to Sutherland and the tip of Scotland John o’ Groats, before heading back down to Inverness. Some enthusiasts aim to drive the entire route, whilst others choose to take in the magnificent scenery on shorter stretches nearby.
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/dining room with TV/DVD, CD player and wood-burning stove
Kitchen with electric/gas range cooker, microwave, deep freeze, dishwasher, washing machine, etc
WC.
Upstairs
Double bedroom (king-size) with en suite bathroom with bath and shower over, WC and wash basin
Twin bedroom (zip link, can convert to super king-size) with en suite shower room with WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Highchair
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
Available Extras
- Cot
- £10.00
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. Electricity is INCLUDED. Heating is by biomass central heating (INCLUDED) and wood-burning stove (starter pack INCLUDED). Water is from a private source which is UV filtered and regularly tested; however (as is typical in many parts of Scotland) it can become discoloured, particularly after heavy rainfall. Guests may therefore prefer to bring bottled water to drink. WiFi is INCLUDED (subject to a fair usage policy). Sorry, no pets. 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).
Changeover Day: Sat
| Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 4 |
| 24 Jul 2021 - 27 Aug 2021 | £875.00 |
| 28 Aug 2021 - 17 Sep 2021 | £695.00 |
| 18 Sep 2021 - 08 Oct 2021 | £595.00 |
| 09 Oct 2021 - 29 Oct 2021 | £695.00 |
| 30 Oct 2021 - 17 Dec 2021 | £495.00 |
| 18 Dec 2021 - 27 Dec 2021 | £795.00 |
| 28 Dec 2021 - 05 Jan 2022 | £795.00 |
| 06 Jan 2022 - 04 Feb 2022 | £495.00 |
| 05 Feb 2022 - 01 Apr 2022 | £595.00 |
| 02 Apr 2022 - 22 Apr 2022 | £695.00 |
| 23 Apr 2022 - 06 May 2022 | £595.00 |
| 07 May 2022 - 27 May 2022 | POA |
| 28 May 2022 - 03 Jun 2022 | POA |
| 04 Jun 2022 - 24 Jun 2022 | POA |
| 25 Jun 2022 - 22 Jul 2022 | POA |
| 23 Jul 2022 - 26 Aug 2022 | POA |
| 27 Aug 2022 - 16 Sep 2022 | POA |
| 17 Sep 2022 - 07 Oct 2022 | POA |
| 08 Oct 2022 - 28 Oct 2022 | POA |
| 29 Oct 2022 - 17 Dec 2022 | POA |
| 18 Dec 2022 - 27 Dec 2022 | POA |
| 28 Dec 2022 - 05 Jan 2023 | POA |
| 06 Jan 2023 - 05 Jan 2024 | POA |
| 06 Jan 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | 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.
Guest Comments
'A wonderful cottage in a beautiful setting. Very much home from home. Wish we could take the garden home with us!'
'This is one of the best cottages that we have stayed in. Thank you for the comfort and attention to detail – much appreciated.'
'We have had a delightful holiday in your beautiful cottage - so warm, clean and cosy. Lovely scenery. Enjoyed a walk along Dornoch beach.'
'We have had a lovely relaxing holiday – beautiful as always. The rooms are lovely and the en-suites are amazing. Will see you next year.'
'The cottage was everything that we could have hoped for and more. Now going home fully recharged after a week of peace and plenty of rest in these beautiful surroundings.'
INDEPENDENT FEEDBACK
Guest Comments
'A wonderful cottage in a beautiful setting. Very much home from home. Wish we could take the garden home with us!'
'This is one of the best cottages that we have stayed in. Thank you for the comfort and attention to detail – much appreciated.'
'We have had a delightful holiday in your beautiful cottage - so warm, clean and cosy. Lovely scenery. Enjoyed a walk along Dornoch beach.'
'We have had a lovely relaxing holiday – beautiful as always. The rooms are lovely and the en-suites are amazing. Will see you next year.'
'The cottage was everything that we could have hoped for and more. Now going home fully recharged after a week of peace and plenty of rest in these beautiful surroundings.'