The Sound of Raasay separates the Isle of Raasay from the east coast of Skye and as soon as you get off the ferry which plies across it you realise that you are in a place with a completely different, tranquil and peaceful pace of life without all the tourists and climbers that flock to 'mainland' Skye.
Quick Info
Sleeps: 3 | Bedrooms: 2 |
Changeover Day: Sat | Pets Allowed: Yes (2) |
No smoking | Bathrooms: 1 |
Licence No: HI-30698-F |
Inverarish is the only real settlement on Raasay, snuggled among woodlands a couple of miles from where the ferry lands. It is a hamlet of little lanes and quiet roads, with one excellent general store and a hotel a little way to the north, beside the Outward Bound Centre.
Inverarish Cottage is one of a small terrace of traditional dwellings which once housed prisoners of war that were sent there during the First World War. It's doubtful if they'd recognise it now, so well has it been refurbished and modernised.
You can easily tell that the renovation of the cottage has been a labour of love for the owner, who enjoys coming here herself whenever its popularity with guests permits. The sitting room has plenty of chairs and sofas that just beg you to come and relax in them. It is kept cosy as can be by the open fire that sits in a traditional fireplace with a tiled surround and cast iron grate.
A door leads through from here to the dining kitchen, which faces the back of the house and where the units are perfectly in keeping with the original floorboards and the rustic dining furniture. The kitchen is also amazingly well-equipped with a full range of appliances. A multi-fuel stove adds to the snug ambience and will keep everyone warm as toast.
Upstairs are two comfortable bedrooms, a double and a single. The view from the double bedroom across the gardens to the Sound of Raasay and the hills of Skye beyond is quite spectacular. A shower room completes the indoor accommodation.
Outside, while the cottage only has a tiny garden of its own, there is a lovely picnic area right opposite which provides outside space in a delightful setting. There is also off-road parking available for one car.
Relaxation is the order of the day on Raasay, but that most certainly does not mean that there is nothing to do.
There is one road on the island which curls round the southern end. Where it peters out, you can continue on foot around the coast to some of the deserted settlements which date from when there was a much larger population. Among them is Hallaig, immortalised in verse by Sorley MacLean, who was a native of the island. The track runs high above the shore and the views across to the Scottish mainland are quite breathtaking.
Lovers of flora and fauna will also find much to interest them here - rare orchids, birds of prey including golden eagles, otters, seals and at certain times, dolphins, whales and basking sharks can all be spotted. Look out too for the Raasay Vole, which is unique to the island.
The island is dominated by the curiously shaped, flat-topped extinct volcano Duncaan, atop which Dr Johnson and Boswell are reported to have danced during their Highland journey. It makes for a very good excursion now, as then.
A few miles to the north of Inverarish, the road used to peter out. There was another village, Arnish, up there and one of the villagers, Calum MacLeod, did not see why it should not be accessed by a proper road. When the Council refused to entertain the idea in the 1960s, he set to work and built it himself. By the time he was finished, he and his wife were Arnish's only remaining inhabitants. 'Calum's Road' is now famous as the subject of a recent book. At Inverarish Cottage, you will have the chance to travel it for yourself and marvel at his achievement.
The hotel serves lunches and evening meals (opening hours are restricted during winter months and the bar is not open to non-residents on Sundays). The small car ferry makes the fifteen minute crossing to Skye several times a day and books of tickets for more frequent journeys are available.
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 open fire and TV/DVD
Dining kitchen with multi-fuel stove, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer etc.
Upstairs
Double bedroom
Single bedroom
Shower room with WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (Double Bed)
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
Available Extras
- Pet
- £20.00
Services
Bed linen is INCLUDED. Towels are not provided. The first £25 of electricity INCLUDED with any additional usage payable by meter reading at the end of your stay. Guests can add extra to the meter at the local post office at Inverarish Stores or online. Heating is by radiators powered by the multi-fuel stove, electric heaters and open fire (2 bags of coal INCLUDED). A maximum of 2 dogs are welcome at an additional charge (1 large, 2 medium or 2 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 01/11/2024 to 04/11/2024
From 04/04/2025 to 07/04/2025
From 25/10/2024 to 28/10/2024
From 18/10/2024 to 21/10/2024
From 11/10/2024 to 14/10/2024
From 20/12/2024 to 23/12/2024
From 27/12/2024 to 30/12/2024
Changeover Day: Sat
Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 3 |
05 Oct 2024 - 25 Oct 2024 | £595.00 |
26 Oct 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 | £495.00 |
20 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024 | £695.00 |
28 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | £695.00 |
06 Jan 2025 - 31 Jan 2025 | £550.00 |
01 Feb 2025 - 04 Apr 2025 | £595.00 |
05 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025 | £650.00 |
26 Apr 2025 - 02 May 2025 | £595.00 |
03 May 2025 - 23 May 2025 | £650.00 |
24 May 2025 - 30 May 2025 | £695.00 |
31 May 2025 - 27 Jun 2025 | £650.00 |
28 Jun 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 | £695.00 |
19 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 | £795.00 |
30 Aug 2025 - 12 Sep 2025 | £650.00 |
13 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | £595.00 |
04 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 | £650.00 |
25 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | £550.00 |
20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | £695.00 |
28 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | £695.00 |
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)
Cottage clean fresh well looked after.
Contains everything required.
Great base for exploring the island.
Great holiday helped by the weather
Spotless house with everything needed in a great area of Raasay for the shop, ferry Raasay House, Distillery and the sho...
Read MoreThe history of the cottage is interesting. Effectively a workman's cottage. Some work has been done to upgrade it to a h...
Read MoreReally nice cottage, good fittings, quiet and peaceful, but close to shop, fairly close to hotel and distillery and fer...
Read More