Email Tigh Na Sith Guest House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay at Lochinver
We are Nick and Patrycja and we welcome you to the Tigh Na Sith
(pronounced Tie-Na-She). We both look forward to welcoming you into our
home during your stay in the Lochinver or Assynt area.
Our home is a modern well equipped and detached guest house, located in
the centre of the Highland fishing village of Lochinver. At Tigh Na Sith
we aim to offer you a home from home experience which is why all of our
guest rooms are en-suite and very comfortably furnished.
The house, from it elevated position, enjoys spectacular views of the Loch and over the Minch towards the Outer Hebrides and, is a perfect base, for exploring the West Coast and Sutherland area. We are also the perfect stop over en route to or from The Outer Hebrides (also known as The Western Isles).
Tigh Na Sith Guest House Accommodation
We have 3 guest bedrooms, every one different with its own distinguishing features and views, each one individually named. All of them offer you complete peace and quiet, with 2 of our rooms located on the ground floor and 1 upstairs.
All our rooms are nice and spacious and we have equipped them with everything you need for an enjoyable stay. For your convenience all of our bedrooms are fully en-suite, with hot powerful showers, and the central heating can be individually controlled in each room. You'll find really comfortable beds with top-quality bed linen, with cosy duvets to snuggle under, (we'll happily make up your bed with a sheet & blankets if you'd prefer).
If chatting or reading in our spacious and comfortable guest lounge is not for you, then your bedroom is somewhere you can relax in private. You'll enjoy the convenience of up to the minute features like our remote control, flat screen Panasonic 22" LCD TVs with Freeview and the free WiFi Internet Access, available in every room.
Then there are the generous mirrored wardrobes, chests of drawers and bedside cabinets which give you more than enough storage space for your belongings and to put your luggage out of the way, giving you lots of room to move about.
Everything You Need....
There's oodles of wardrobe space with loads of hangers and two cosy fleece
robes, lots of drawers, shelves and cupboard space. Additionally there
are the small but important items such as individually controlled heating,
a digital alarm clock, hairdryer, clothes brush, mending and shoe-clean
kits.
There are even a couple of wine glasses complete with corkscrew in each room and a pair of binoculars to help focus in on the views.
As you'd expect, each room has a refreshment tray. Ours come complete with a choice of teas, herbal teas, fruit teas, coffee & hot chocolate, not forgetting the biscuits & Scottish mineral water. There's also a wee dish of chocolates & toffees to tempt you too.
In your bathroom you'll find loads of soft towels, luxury Cole & Lewis toiletries, tissues, cotton wool balls, wet wipes and, of course, those all important cotton buds. So, that's an overview, why don't you take a look at each room individually?
Eagle View
Eagle View an ideal place for your romantic getaway or for that all-important
special celebration and as the name suggests you may be rewarded by spotting
a golden or sea eagle from the windows. Up on the first floor, Eagle View
is our largest and most luxurious room, wonderfully light & airy and
with "acres of space" in which you can really relax and feel
at home.
You'll savour the uninterrupted views out across the sea loch, a stunning setting at any time of day but best, perhaps, at either sunrise or sunset.
Eagle View has a comfy double bed, a couple of comfortable chairs, a stunning walk-in wardrobe and, of course the Panasonic 22" Flat Screen TV with Freeview. You will also find mineral waters, chocolates & biscuits – and all of the other small details essential for your relaxing stay with us.
Eagle View also has a really spacious en-suite, with a powerful hot shower, wash hand basin, large mirror & WC and additionally it has a superb view out towards the Minch and towards The Western Isles beyond. With the extra storage, larger floor space and incredible vistas that Eagle View has to offer, we strongly recommend booking this room.
For those guests planning longer stays, or for those of you that like to spread out and bring all of your home essentials and pack for every eventuality, Eagle View is the perfect choice.
Munro
On the ground floor, you'll find Munro and Minch, two equally spacious
rooms, which want for nothing to make your stay with us as relaxing as
possible. Both rooms have a good-sized, light and airy, modern en-suite
complete with a powerful hot shower, toilet and wash hand basin plus the
soft towels and quality toiletries.
This lovely, cosy room looks out onto the spectacular rock face just behind the house, reminiscent of the majestic mountains of Scotland – hence its name. You'll enjoy a great night's sleep in the comfy twin beds and there is plenty of storage in the wardrobe, the chest of drawers and the bedside cabinet.
The en-suite boasts a hot powerful shower to wake you up in the morning, and the chocolates, biscuits, mineral waters and the Panasonic 22" flat screen TV system are all there to help you relax too.
Minch
This room gets its name from the stretch of water separating the Western
Isles from the Highland mainland.
Minch is a mirror image of Munro and offers absolutely superb views out
over Loch Inver to Soyea Island and the Minch beyond.
This room has a superb, really comfy, double bed and just like Munro, there's plenty of space in the bedroom and in the modern en-suite. You'll not want for places to hang your clothes or hide your luggage and you'll simply love all the bits and bobs that go to make your stay with us so rewarding.
Breakfast Menu
Here at Tigh Na Sith our breakfasts are designed to get you started and
set up for the day in the best possible way. Breakfast is served between
8.00 to 9.00am each morning to accommodate guests who want to have that
“extra ten” minutes.
Our breakfast meats are provided by “S Greenlees & son”, our local village butcher who makes his own wonderful sausages, black pudding & haggis – a real treat to start your day.
Special dietary requirements:
If you have any special dietary needs we’re more than happy to prepare
breakfast dishes for you – please just let us know when you make
your booking.
The Local Area
The Lochinver and surrounding area has an abundance of activities and
places to visit to keep the most intrepid bird watchers, walkers, photographers,
cavers, golfers, deer spotters and fishermen happy. If exploring using
wheels is your thing, there are plenty of activities, routes and roads
to indulge yourself in whether you are on two, three or four wheels.
If its water based activities you are into, then divers, canoeists, budding skippers, skiers and sea fishermen will not be disappointed. There are many activities for you to try out whether it be paddle, oar, human, wind or outboard engine powered – you will find it here in Assynt.
Not forgetting for one minute those of you who like to take life a little easier - there are many art galleries and local craft workers located in and around the area. If you really want to relax and chill, we have three magnificent white sand and emerald sea beaches, all within a 15 minute drive.
We hope you choose to stay with us at Tigh Na Sith as we are the perfect base for exploring this magnificent, natural, unspoilt gem known as Assynt. Whatever the weather there's lots to do in and around Lochinver – we hope to see you soon.
Things to do
Visitors to this region are always pleasantly surprised by the many and
varied tourist attractions that there are to see.
We are located in the North West Highlands Geopark part of a global network of territories defined by their outstanding geological features, forward-thinking local communities and steeped in cultural and unique natural heritage. This area has a variety of unforgettable landscapes to explore, by foot, on wheels or accessible from the sea many features formed out of the oldest rocks in Europe.
There are wonderful walks, abundant wild and birdlife and incredible fishing destinations to explore, not to mention the Munros and numerous settlements with their own unique place in history which surround Lochinver. During spring, summer and autumn, the local mountains (Munros) provide some of the most spectacular and challenging walks in Scotland.
In winter a word of caution, only the most experienced hillwalkers should tackle these peaks. For those who like to be organise and enjoy walking safely, then a Ranger Guided Walk should be contemplated – there are a good number of these operated from the magnificent Lochinver Visitor Centre which is located only 2 minutes from Tigh Na Sith. In the Visitor Centre there are leaflets for all local attractions and regional information galore!
Fishing
Fishing in Scotland can only be described as "world class".
The quality and variety of the fish available and the picture postcard
views cannot be surpassed, this area has it all. The lochs and lochans
here provide the kind of fishing experience that most people can only
dream about.
Many of these lochs and lochans hardly see an angler from one year to the next, so angling pressure on fish is not an issue in fact some areas have more lochs than land it seems. This could be your ultimate fishing experience.
Game Fishing
Want to go Atlantic salmon fishing then Scotland is the place to be, when
planning your break just remember, that in the interest of conservation
you cannot go salmon or sea trout fishing on a Sunday. There are many
salmon and sea trout rivers and lochs locally and we can help you get
the best results, by assisting with your bookings dependent on your budget
and ability.
Up here on the west coast the prime time for salmon and sea trout fishing is normally July to mid September. If really wild brown trout (sea trout) is your thing then look no further than the Assynt region, seen by many experts as quite simply the best in the world – go ahead hook yourself a monster fish.
The lochs and rivers are full of hard fighting fish and a permit here wont cost you an arm and a leg.
Walking
There is nothing more rewarding than getting out on foot and immersing
yourself in the local environment. From romantic sunset walks along deserted
cliff tops and beaches to challenging hill walking and Munro bagging –
it's all here in Assynt and Sutherland.
The rich and varied terrain is easily accessible just pack up your rucksack and away you go. The local Countryside Ranger is based at the Visitor Centre just at the bottom of our drive and whatever your ability there is something for everyone. Always remember to make sure that you are well-equipped and have all the information you need on routes and weather conditions before setting out on a mountain climb or walk – the weather up here can change very quickly.
Culinary Delights
The village of Lochinver boasts a diverse selection of eateries to cater
for every pocket. These local establishments serve meals and drinks, using
fresh and local ingredients from the abundant natural larder surrounding
us – every meal as rewarding as the views.
The choice of fares are many, from Internationally renowned Chef Albert Roux, the Michelin starred Albannach hotel to the award winning Caberfeidh restaurant and the Lochinver Larder who's famous pies get packed and posted around the globe. It really does depend on what you fancy at the time.
The Caberfeidh
A five minute walk from Tigh Na Sith where Simon and Jen offer a great
value and varied menu of quality food that can be eaten in the lounge
bar or separate dining room. Look out for the specials board – which
changes virtually by the minute to accommodate the freshest and latest
available local ingredients.
This pub was runner up in the Independent Pub / Bar of The Year 2010" a reflection of the welcoming and personal service on offer here. A great selection of draught and bottled ales are available as well as a well stocked malt whisky section, for those who savour a "wee dram" or two.They really do offer great food at affordable prices.
Driving in the local area
Heading north from the village and following the single track, winding
coastal road you will pass through the crofting townships of Clachtoll,
Drumbeg, Nedd and Stoer heading towards Kylesku. As you progress along
the coastal route towards Kylesku a side road leads to Achmelvich where
a clean white sandy beach awaits.
There are further beautiful beaches at Clachtoll and Clashnessie. From the Drumbeg viewpoint the Handa Island bird Reserve can be observed which is operated by The Scottish Wildlife Trust. Arriving at Kylesku you cannot fail to notice the impressive, majestic new road bridge, which has featured in some Automotive advertisements in the recent past. During the summer from here you can take a 2hr boat cruise down the loch to the Eas-Coul-Aulin Waterfall which has a fall of about 600ft – 200m Britain's tallest waterfall.
Take the road South out of the village (leading up the river Culag) and you will soon be in Inverkirkaig home of the Kirkaig falls which are a spectacular sight after heavy rain. Continuing along this route will eventually bring you out near Stac Pollaidh or Achiltibuie renowned for its fabulous views of the Summer Isles to the South West.
Beaches
The peaceful beaches at Clashnessie, Clachtoll and Achmelvich (all between
3 and 6 miles from here) are perfect for a family day out, these unspoilt,
beautiful sandy beaches are surrounded by marvellous rock formations -
don't forget your body board. Add to your enjoyment with a visit to the
Clachtoll salmon bothy and the remains of a 1st century broch not to mention
the impressive split rock.
Bird watching
If you're a bird watcher then the diversity of habitats to explore both
underfoot and overhead are magnificent.
Whilst you are out and about you could well catch sight of swallows, stonechats,
warblers, wagtails, bunting and wheat-ears, curlews, cormorant, plover,
greylag geese, black and red throated divers, sandpiper, heron, willow
warbler, wren, redpoll, redwing and the screeching oystercatchers.
When it comes to birds of prey then keep your eyes peeled for, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and occasionally ospreys. And whilst looking up at the cliff faces then guillemot, razorbill and puffins and possibly the magnificent sea eagle should be visible with patience.
During the summer season (weather permitting) catch the ferry just north of Scourie and sail to Handa island where over 200,000 seabirds come to breed. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins and great skuas fill the skies above Torridonian sandstone cliffs.
Golf
Wherever you travel in Scotland there are a vast number of magnificent
courses available to play, ranging from Gleneagles and St Andrews –
internationally renowned Championship courses – to less well known
courses that are amongst the most scenic and beautiful in the world. In
our locality we have a choice of two excellent courses to play, Durness
to the north - the most northerly course on British mainland and Ullapool
to the South.
Assynt Visitor Centre
The best place to start your planning your leisure time and the base for
the local Countryside Ranger. Here you can find out about the many guided
walks, events, entertainment and children's activities available locally.
There are many information leaflets for you to take away on the local
history, geology, archaeology, wildlife and all about the trails around
the Geopark. There are also on-site activities for children including
a touch table and telescope.
Knockan Crag Visitor Centre
Lots to do here including exploring the turf-roofed rock room, finding
out more about general geology and the make up of the local Geopark area.
You can take your pick from the three way marked trails and have the opportunity
to bridge over 500 million years with your bare hands.
Drive the rock route and at each marked viewpoint there are information
tables to enhance the magnificent views with information about the story
of the Earth and its formation.
Inchnadamph National Nature Reserve and the Bone Caves
Walk along a dry riverbed at Traligill to visit the Alt na Uamh Bone Caves at Inchnadamph a series of caves, tunnels and underground streams all offering exciting discoveries for explorers. In the Bone Caves archaeologists found human remains dating back 4500 years along with bone fragments from brown bear, lynx, arctic fox and hundreds of pairs of reindeer antlers bones - animals all long extinct in Scotland.
Old Man of Stoer
About 7 miles from Lochinver you will find The Old Man of Stoer. This
impressive pinnacle of sandstone rock stands just off the coast and can
be accessed only on foot. The walk starts from the Stoer lighthouse car
park and follows the cliff top path. This is an ideal place to spot whales
and dolphins not to mention the multitude of seabirds nestling on the
rock face.
Inverkirkaig
Just 3 miles from Lochinver you will find Inverkirkaig here you can head
up a beautiful wooded glen alongside the Kirkaig river to the moorland
above - here you will find the spectacular Kirkaig falls. In July and
August you may see the salmon leaping in the gorge below as you head to
the waterfalls.
If you feel up to it, just a little further on you will arrive at Loch Fionn which lies at the foot of Suilven – an impressive sight any time of the year. Achins Book & Coffee Shop is well worth visiting on your way back to the village.
Deer Stalking
Assynt provides some of the finest Red Deer stalking in the Highlands
of Scotland. Stalking can be arranged on the local estates and takes place
over a short season in late summer and early autumn. While the legal season
lasts from July to mid October, the best time to participate is from August
to early October.
Normally the rutting season (mating) starts around mid September and at this time you will undoubtedly witness the memorable, bellowing call of the stags. The rutting period is a very demanding time for the deer, and as a result Stags can lose up to a third of their body weight during the month long rut.
At the end of the stag season the focus switches to stalking hinds and the managed cull continues until mid-February. Red deer inhabit hill country that is remote from roads and settlements and there are very few more memorable experiences than the thrill and sheer exhilaration of stalking Red Deer in the beautiful County of Sutherland.
Kayaking
This growing in popularity pastime allows you to explore the beautiful
west coast from a different viewpoint. Traverse the sea lochs and coastal
waters silently by sea kayak whilst soaking up the magnificent sea and
landscapes. Get up close and personal alongside otters, seals, puffins
and a whole host of other wildlife. Discover deserted islands, wild coastlines,
natural rock arches and white sandy beaches.
Day and half day trips run every week throughout the season from Lochinver with a local company NorWest Sea Kayaking based in the village. The equipment provided, is regularly renewed and the prime focus is on providing you with a memorable and above all safe trip. These trips are tailored to your abilities and can be suitable for complete beginners to the more advanced paddlers.
Whether you are taking to the sea for the first time or you want to be shown around the area by an experienced local guide, NorWest Sea Kayaking will make sure you have a wonderful day on the water.
DIRECTIONS
Getting there from the Information Centre:
We are located in an elevated position directly to the rear of the Tourist
Information Centre in Lochinver.
Getting There by Car:
From Inverness follow signs for Ullapool heading over the Kessock Bridge
on the A9. At the Tore roundabout take the second exit onto the A835 to
Ullapool. Continue on the A835 through Ullapool following signs for the
North. At Ledmore junction turn left onto the A837, signposted for Lochinver.
Follow this road for 20 miles right into Lochinver. Drive down the hill into the village and continue towards the harbour, along the water front. You will pass a petrol station and the Church of Scotland on your right, then you will come to the Village hall and Tourist Information Centre on your left. Turn left here between the two buildings - you will see our signage leading you to our private car parking area.
Getting There by Railway:
We are 98 miles from Inverness station.
Getting there by Aeroplane:
We are 98 miles from Inverness airport.
Getting There by Ferry:
35 minutes drive North of Ullapool - the Ferry Port serving The Western
Isles - Outer Hebrides. 125 Miles from Scrabster (nr Thurso) and 136 miles
from Gills Bay (nr John O Groats) the ferry ports serving Orkney and Shetland.
Email Tigh Na Sith Guest House enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
