Rubha Carnain
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.
•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, dishwasher,
microwave and a small fridge.
•Outdoor furniture available.
•Partial heating (coal fire and electric radiator in living area and electric radiators in
the bedrooms.
•Telephone available (on request).
•Towels and linen are provided.
•Electricity and coal included.
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.
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.
Trivia
The cottage appeared briefly in the opening scene of "Whisky Galore" (GB 1949). It featured extensively in Zach Rosenau's short film "The Inaudible Crimes of Jasper
Pidgeon" (GB/US 2009)
Windy Winter weekend Specials
If you love storm watching, star gazing, are hardy and have a healthy appetite for adventure experience the Hebrides in winter.
Barra is fully exposed to Atlantic gales in winlocation for trying out your ter and is an excellent location for trying out if your outdoor clothing is really as water - and
windproof as advertised in the shop.
Rubha Charnain is located in Bruairnis which is free from street lights and has very little light pollution. Step out of the door on a clear night and you can see the milky way.
Prices
The rental week runs from Saturday to Saturday. Between November and March the cottage can be booked for shoter periods of time with a minimum booking of three
nights.
Price from April - October (per week) £390.00
Price from November - March (per week) £320.00
The cottage is open all year round.
There is an electricity and coal allowance. Linen and towels are provided.
Half is payable to secure the booking. The remainder is payable 4 weeks before the holiday.
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: