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The Bothy/Old Schoolhouse

Loch Nevis, Kylesmorar, Mallaig

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According to the team at Kylesmorar, grown men have been known to cry when they have to leave at the end of their stay here. And it's not beyond belief, for Loch Nevis, the 'Loch of Heaven' in Gaelic, must surely be one of the most remarkable and unforgettable holiday destinations imaginable.

Quick Info

Sleeps: 2/4 Bedrooms: 2
Changeover Day: Fri Pets Allowed: Yes (3)
No smoking Bathrooms: 2
  • No Smoking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Open Fire/Solid Fuel Stove
Overview

Accessible only by boat, the estate lies east of Mallaig on the west coast of Scotland, on the remote shores of Loch Nevis, round which no roads run. Once a thriving crofting community, the original inhabitants are long gone but from the former crofting township at Kylesmorar, three principal buildings, however, The Bothy/Schoolhouse and the Old Post Office, have been converted into holiday homes using local craftsmen and materials. They now offer most comfortable and beautifully appointed accommodation furnished with great style and originality. Each stands just a few yards from the water's edge, nestling right at the foot of some on Scotland's most majestic mountains.

You reach Kylesmorar via the friendly little ferry from Mallaig. It will drop you at Tarbet (over the side into an estate boat, so you have to be fairly nimble!) and you'll then be taken onward for the 5 minute passage round the headland to Kylesmorar itself. Tenants are also welcome to bring their own boats and make use of the jetty and visitor mooring at Kylesmorar at their own risk.

This is the ultimate place to chill. You can curl up in front of a roaring log fire, take leisurely strolls along the beach, perhaps picking up a few shellfish for lunch as you go, while the resolutely active can tackle some of the Munros in the area. Weather permitting there will be the chance of a scheduled lift with the Estate boat to one of three spots that serve as the starting points of some lovely walks, or to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula, where you can have lunch at the local pub or tearoom before getting the afternoon ferry back to Tarbet.

The Bothy has a remarkable open plan living area, with stone floor, exposed wood beams and an oil-fired stove, which opens out into the garden area (barbecue). The spacious bedroom has twin beds (which can be pushed together) and bathroom with bath and separate shower. It can be rented alone or in conjunction with the extra bedroom/bathroom provided by Old Schoolhouse, (situated about 20ft from the Bothy) if four are to be accommodated or, for the ultimate romantic experience, just for two.

This beautifully furnished double bedroom has timber lined walls and a real log fire at the end of the bed, - you can lie and watch the sun set over the Cuillins of Skye or the dawn break. What could be more idyllic? And even better, the Old Schoolhouse has been renovated and now has it's own big, beautiful bathroom.

There are no shops on Kylesmorar and provisions should be brought in with you. Mobile reception is very patchy indeed; however you will be provided with a two-way radio receiver, so that you can contact your hosts at any time with any queries, problems or just for a chat!

Please note: The Bothy has an EPC rating of G and The Old Schoolhouse has an EPC rating of F. The ferry from Mallaig to Tarbet and back from Inverie to Mallaig should be booked online via the Western Isles website at the same time as booking your accommodation.

Map & Local

The Highland hospitality starts with the friendly crew on the ferry that brings you over from Mallaig and continues when the Kylesmorar team collect you. Your car can be left in the long stay car park that is in the east bay of the harbour.

On arrival you will be greeted by Norman, Scott or Bank, and Amy the housekeeper. They live round the headland at Tarbet, just round the corner from Kylesmorar. Everyone works on the estate doing everything from maintenance, joinery, stone-masonry, looking after the sheep and many other animals, boat work, housekeeping, gardening, you name it. They are easily reached by radio if needed and always happy to help.

Locals at Kylesmorar include some black welsh mountain sheep, deer up on the hills, and during the months of April to September - pigs! And if you're lucky, you can also spot the otters who live near by.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the Kylesmorar Estate?
The Kylesmorar Estate is set on the shore of Loch Nevis and can be accessed via a ferry service from Mallaig in Lochaber. The ferry is for foot passengers only, so there is no vehicular access to the estate. Ferry tickets for the journey from Mallaig to Tarbet can be pre-booked online via the Western Isles Cruises website.

We would recommend that ferry tickets are booked at the same time as your accommodation booking to ensure availability. One-way tickets are £15 each for adults, £7.50 for children (between 5 and 13 years old) and free for children under 5. The return journey goes from Tarbet back to Mallaig via Inverie.

Where do I park my car for the duration of my stay?
Long-term parking is available in Mallaig harbour free of charge. This can be found in the East Bay on the opposite side from the boat. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the harbour 30 minutes prior to sailing time and drop luggage off at the boat prior to parking up.

How long does the ferry from Mallaig to Tarbet take?
The ferry crossing from Mallaig takes approximately 1 hour to arrive into Tarbet where the estate boat will meet you and take you the further 5 to 10 minutes to the estate itself.

Are dogs allowed on the ferry?
Yes, dogs are welcomed on the ferry free of charge.

Can bikes/kayaks be taken on the ferry?
Bikes and kayaks are allowed on the ferry at an additional charge. Further information and up-to-date pricing can be found on the Western Isles Cruises website.

How do I get back to my car in Mallaig at the end of my stay?
At the end of your stay the estate boat will drop you at Inverie where you can catch the ferry back to your car in Mallaig. The journey takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and again should be pre-booked online the Western Isles website at the same time as your accommodation booking to ensure availability. One-way tickets are £11 each for adults, £5.50 for children (between 5 and 13 years old) and free for children under 5.

Is there mobile phone reception on the estate?
Mobile reception is very poor at Kylesmorar, but a shared digital telephone system is available and a VHF ‘walkie talkie’ style radio is also provided in the event that guests need to contact the estate staff.

Is there TV reception on the estate?
There is no TV reception and limited radio reception on the estate, however all the properties do have TV/DVD players and CD stereos.

Are there shops in easy reach of the estate?
Although basic provisions such as kitchen towels, cleaning products and toilet paper are provided at the properties, it is important to stock up on food and supplies prior to your arrival at Kylesmorar. There are good shops in Mallaig to visit before catching the ferry and the supermarket there also takes telephone orders (with credit card payments) that can either be collected or delivered via the ferry.

Local Events and Attractions

Category:

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.

Facilities

Accommodation

Single Storey

Open plan living area with oil stove, TV(no reception)/DVD, gas oven and hob, etc
Twin bedroom (beds can be pushed together)
Bathroom with bath, separate shower, WC and wash basin.

Old Schoolhouse Annexe

Double bedroom with wood-burning stove
Shower room with WC and wash basin.

What's included

Linen (Double Bed)
Free
Linen (Single Bed)
Free
Sets of towels (per person)
Free

Available Extras

Pet
£20.00
Travel Cot (excluding linen)
£10.00

Services

Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. Electricity is by common generator and inverter system (INCLUDED). Heating is by radiators powered by the oil stove (INCLUDED) and wood-burning stove (fuel INCLUDED). A maximum of 3 dogs are welcome under strict control at all times (working croft with livestock) at an additional charge (2 large, 2 medium or 3 small). If you wish to bring any other pets please contact us and we will see what we can do. No smoking.

Please note: For The Bothy/Old Schoolhouse, the tariff for 2 persons is based on only The Bothy being made available.

Availability

Availability

The calendar below shows dates which are either available or booked for this property. Use the Book Now menu above to select your desired holiday dates.

Changeover Day: Fri

Booked Available
2024
Price

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: Fri

Rental - Date Range Sleeps 2 Sleeps 4
29 Mar 2024 - 18 Apr 2024 £675.00 £850.00
19 Apr 2024 - 02 May 2024 £595.00 £750.00
03 May 2024 - 23 May 2024 £675.00 £850.00
24 May 2024 - 30 May 2024 £750.00 £895.00
31 May 2024 - 20 Jun 2024 £675.00 £850.00
21 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2024 £750.00 £895.00
19 Jul 2024 - 22 Aug 2024 £895.00 £950.00
23 Aug 2024 - 12 Sep 2024 £675.00 £850.00
13 Sep 2024 - 03 Oct 2024 £595.00 £750.00
04 Oct 2024 - 24 Oct 2024 £675.00 £850.00
25 Oct 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 £550.00 £650.00
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 £750.00 £895.00
28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 £750.00 £895.00
06 Jan 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 POA POA
06 Jan 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 POA POA
06 Jan 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 POA POA

Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking and where more than one tariff is shown, the number of bedrooms made available may vary. This allows us to offer larger properties at lower rates for smaller parties. 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.

For The Bothy/Old Schoolhouse, the tariff for 2 persons is based on only The Bothy being made available.

Reviews

Reviews
(Supplied Independently through Feefo)

#
01-Aug-2023

Just an incredibly beautiful place to stay. Very remote, surrounded by wildlife. The place is immaculate and the team (a...

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02-Jul-2023

We wanted to stay here for years, and it was worth the wait. Couldn’t have asked for a better stay. Incredibly peaceful,...

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13-Oct-2022

An incredible location, beautiful property, cosy, warm, clean and a lovely team making sure we had the best stay possibl...

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24-Jul-2022

great place, peaceful, great staff, very relaxing

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14-Jul-2022

Location unique, remoteness maybe not for everyone but house and location perfect for us. Estate staff nothing short of...

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Guest Comments

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