The Doctor's Bothy
Baleloch
North Uist
Outer Hebrides
Scotland

Sleeping 4

Here's your chance to make a Great Hebridean Escape of your own, just like Monty Hall's! The Doctor's Bothy on North Uist is an idyllic retreat for those seeking an escape from the hurly-burly of mainland life. It is a perfect choice for those who are prepared to go a little further to find a unique cottage in a spectacular situation.

This newly renovated stone, slate and timber eco-cottage stands quite alone, beside the ruin of the Old Manse, - a local landmark and uninhabited for the last 60 years - high on a hillside above Loch Hosta on the west coast of the island. It has panoramic views out to sea and across the surrounding hills and moorlands. It is the only house on the island where, on a clear day, you can see all the Southern Hebridean Isles and well as the misty islands of St Kilda 40 miles away in the Atlantic Ocean.

A short stroll will take you to the beautiful Hosta Beach with its clear turquoise water, silver sand and rock pools. It is quite likely that you will have it all to yourselves, although you may occasionally have to share it with a seal or a pair of otters!

Loch Hosta is an excellent brown-trout fishing loch and the area is home to many visiting birds and wedges of Hooper swans. Lovers of wildlife will find themselves in heaven here, where the skies are patrolled by many types of birds of prey, including golden eagles, and where in the summer months you can still hear the call of the corncrake nearby. The RSPB Balranald Nature Reserve is less than three miles from the Bothy. Herds of deer are also frequent visitors.

Those interested in history will find the Neolithic burial chamber of Bharpa Langass and the stone circle of Pobull Phinn are just a few miles away, with many other lesser ancient standing stones and brochs even closer to home. Legend has it that there is a submerged village under the waters of Loch Hosta and if the weather conditions are right, from the Bothy you can just trace the outline of sunken circular structures close to the shoreline.

The Bothy is surrounded by its own large grass garden, but the rolling landscape roundabout gives the impression that the grounds extend as far as the eye can see.

If you are now sold on the surroundings, what of the cottage itself? With an open plan living area and postcard views, it is light in summer and cosy in winter, thanks to super-insulation and a multi-fuel stove. The sitting area has a reclaimed maple timber floor and there is a solid fuel Rayburn that doubles up as a second cooker. The downstairs twin bedroom also has a maple floor and small multi-fuel stove. The upstairs double bedroom is accessed by a feature cast-iron spiral staircase in a double height hallway. The kitchen-diner with its wonderful sea views has a fitted kitchen with a calor gas cooker and there is a fridge under cover at the back door. Also downstairs is a fully tiled bath/shower, with a roof window which means that on dark, clear winter nights you can stargaze as you lie back relaxing in the bath!

In keeping with its Green credentials, the Bothy is powered by its own small wind turbine, and photo-voltaic solar panels which provide just enough energy to light the cottage, a radio and a TV (limited reception)/DVD player. A back-up petrol generator is also provided for the rare occasions where there is no wind and heating is more than adequately covered by the Rayburn and stove. Hot water is provided by the Rayburn. The house is simply but most comfortably furnished, and due to the limited electric supply is uncluttered by too many gadgets and modern 'conveniences'. (Hairdriers and straighteners, for example won't work and will trip out the electrics. Teenagers be warned!)

The Bothy is about three quarters of a mile from the nearest tarmac road and is reached by a gated track suitable for four-wheel drive cars or by cars with good ground clearance. There is a parking space at the beginning of the track next to the Loch for those with low slung sports cars or those who are happy to walk it. A wheelbarrow is provided for transporting the shopping/luggage! There is extensive parking at the house andfull disabled access to the Bothy.

The nearest shop/post office and petrol station are 5 miles distant at Bayhead, with a small, well-stocked supermarket 8 miles distant at Sollas. The caretaker can arrange to have shopping delivered to the cottage on arrival. The nearest pub is 7 miles away and there are several excellent restaurants within a 30 minute drive.

The Bothy is surely 'something else' - an unforgettable holiday home 'away from it all' that you will dine out on for months to come!

Bed linen, towels, LPG, electricity (dependent on sun and wind generation) and one bag of coal are included. Two well-behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted in the cottage.

Accommodation (sleeps 4):

Downstairs

• Open plan living area with solid fuel Rayburn, LPG gas cooker, TV/DVD, radio etc.
• Twin bedroom with multi-fuel stove
• Bathroom with bath/shower, WC and wash basin

Upstairs

• Double bedroom (by spiral staircase)

Accommodation availability:

The Doctor's Bothy: