Rubha Charnain

 

Rubha Chàrnain

Self Catering Accommodation

(Gaelic for "stony headland", the old name of Lower Bruernish)

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Cottage and the view from the garden at high tide
 
If you are looking for a basic traditional cottage with rustic charm and seclusion at the shore of North Bay overlooking the Sea of the Hebrides, Rubha Chàrnain may be the place for you. It has seaside views from most windows and the surrounding land slopes gently down to the shore. At the bottom of the garden you can go rock fishing, launch your own kayak or just enjoy the calls of the seabirds. Rubha Chàrnain is on a cul-de-sac in the quiet fishing village Bruernish.

 The cottage sleeps four and offers:

  • Double bedroom overlooking North Bay
  • Twin bedroom with views to the North and the West
  • A spacious wood-lined living room with open fire, a good-sized dining area, sea views and a patio door to the garden
  • Bathroom with WC and bath
  • Additional WC
  • Fully equipped kitchen including cooker/oven/grill, washing machine, microwave and fridge with small freezer compartment
  • Outdoor furniture available
  • Partial heating (coal fire and electric radiator in living area, electric radiators in the bedrooms and a mobile fan heater)Telephone available (on request)

The cottage has retained much of its old character and has a maritime feel. With no television you can enjoy dining, listening to music, reading or playing games by the open fire and are bound to have an unforgettable break from busy city life.

 
 
Photos:
Double bedroom with raised bed to enjoy uninterrupted views across the entrance of North Bay and the Minch.  Lady Diana's mother spent two summers in this cottage and it is believed that she slept in this very bed.
Twin bedroom with views to the North and West. 6 times a day you can catch a glimpse of the Eriskay ferry.
Drinks in the Garden
 
 
 
Photos:
Dining Area - In the living room
There is nothing better than a good open fire when the wind is blowing outside.
The wood-lined living room offers spectacular views across the entrance of North Bay. Many boats of the Barra fishing fleet sail by the cottage on their way to the fishing grounds and return in the evening.

What To Do

Walking

Walking in Barra is all about the beaches. Barra has beaches on an epic scale. White, fine sand, monster sand dunes, huge rolling Atlantic waves and miles and miles of it everywhere. It's a beachcomber's paradise, and you won't have to share it with big crowds. Remember to bring a big blanket and picnic and find your own perfect piece of Hebridean machair grass, or just pick a sand dune for the day.
 
From the cottage you can also walk along the crest of the hills from Ben Bheireasaigh (198 metres) to the island's highest mountain, Heabhal (383 metres). The hilltops give views over Vatersay and all Barra's outlying, deserted islands.

Fishing and Raking for Cockles

The cottage is located at the mouth of North Bay and all ships based in the north end of Barra sail past the garden twice a day. You can do rock fishing from the big rocks by the shore at the bottom of the garden. When the tide is out, Traigh Mhor (the beach by the Airport) is the perfect spot for raking for cockles. Rakes and buckets are in the cottage; just bring your own wellies.

Kayaking, Power Kiting, Boat trips, Cycling, Surfing

Barra is just the place for adventurous teenagers and active adults. You can take part in guided kayaking trips, try out Power Kiting or go on a charter boat trip and explore the archaeology and wildlife of the deserted islands south of Barra. Bicycles can be hired in Castlebay. Barra is also a paradise for experienced surfers. You'll need to bring your own board, though.

Golf 

Britain's most westerly golf course is on Barra, 4 miles from Rubha Chàrnain cottage. This is a 2936 yard links course.

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for seals by the rocks at the end of the garden.  Barra has the seabirds that you might expect: razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake, shag, fulmar, common and Arctic tern, black guillemot, storm petrel, great skua, puffin, common gull, herring gull, greater and lesser black backed gull. There are also corncrake, golden eagles, plovers, herons, and even yellow warblers.

Other Details

Heathbank Hotel is less than a mile from the cottage, and has a bar and a restaurant.  The cottage is suitable for children. Buckets and spades are provided. Note that the garden is unfenced, which means that from October until April animals can roam freely through it.

 The cottage is non-smoking. Sorry, no pets are allowed.

Prices

Price (per week)    £220.00
Half is payable to secure the booking. The remainder is payable 4 weeks before the holiday.
The cottage is open all year round.
This price is for all seasons, summer and winter alike.
Electricity and coal are included. Linen and towels are provided.
The renting week goes from Saturday to Saturday. If you want different dates and if the cottage is not booked for the weeks before and after your stay, then please ask.
During the off-peak season (October through to March inclusive, but excluding the Christmas and New Year holidays), the cottage can be booked for as short or as long a period as you like.
Rates are a one-off £50 fixed fee plus £25 pounds per day.

Location

Rubha Chàrnain is 5 miles from the Barra airport and the Sound of Barra ferry. It is 8 miles from Castlebay, which is the island's main town and ferry port (for Oban). The cottage is also near the island bus route.

How to get to Bruernish (Bruairnis)

From Castlebay, drive (or take the bus) 8 miles north along the main road on Barra's eastern coast. Once you've passed Loch na h-Obe drive up the hill and take the first road right signposted Bogach/ Bruairnis. Then drive straightahead for another 800 yards, past the radio mast and the red phone box and you have reached Lower Bruernish. Rubha Chàrnain is the second white house on the right.

From the Ardmhor ferry

Take a bus from the ferry shelter to Northbay and exit here and walk along the east coast route past the Heathbank Hotel. Take the first road left signposted Bogach and Bruairnis. Follow the road for about 800 yards and walk past the red phone box. Rubha Chàrnain is the second cottage on the right hand side. Alternatively the bus (depending on its route) may drop you off in Upper Bruernish from where it is a five minute walk to the cottage. Car travellers simply turn left at the Ardmhor junction and follow the road to Northbay, turn left, past the Heathbank Hotel on the right, turn left again and follow the road signposted Bogach/ Bruairnis. Drive straight ahead for about 800 yards past the red phone box. Rubha Chàrnain is the second white cottage on the right.
 

Contact:

Anke-Beate Stahl
ankebeate@googlemail.com
www.rubhacharnain.co.uk
Tel: 0131 3375413