To explore beautiful Sutherland you need somewhere lovely to stay. Craigmor and Cranstackie lie in the village of Durness, a thriving crofting community surrounded by magnificent mountains, a rugged coastline and wide unpolluted beaches. Ceannabeinne is just a few minutes drive along the coast from the village overlooking a beautiful beach. Take a voyage north to the breathtaking, rugged scenery of Sutherland in the far north-west of Scotland. This is Mackay country, and the numerous cairns, brochs and ruined settlements in the area are testament to a long and turbulent history. Norsemen would steer their longships around Cape Wrath on the way to Ireland, and sometimes came ashore in Durness. And it was the Vikings who gave the county of Sutherland its name.
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Durness
Self-catering cottages in Durness, Sutherland, Scotland
Our cottages are all within three miles of each other. Craigmor and Cranstackie
are both in Durness, a thriving crofting community surrounded by magnificent
mountains, a rugged coastline and wide unpolluted beaches. Ceannabeinne
is just a few minutes drive along the coast from the village.
We can offer accommodation to suit everyone's needs, and available all year.
Craigmor and Cranstackie were renovated by our own craftsmen in 1991
to create two unique holiday homes. With free, fast Wi-Fi broadband these
two cottages are ideal for those who need to stay connected for personal
or business purposes.
Craigmor was built as a croft cottage in the 1880's from
traditional stone, originally having a turf roof. Subsequently, two dormer
bedrooms were added beneath a slate roof. During our renovations, many
original features were discovered. We retain the lovely gently curving
stairs and the original etched glass front door to the sitting room, and
the original stone wall above the fireplace was revealed and re-pointed
as a feature above the wood burning stove. Craigmor is popular with larger
families and groups, but with its cottage atmosphere it is just as suited
to couples who are looking for spacious accommodation.
Cranstackie was originally the village post office, which was a later addition to the original croft of Craigmor. However, when we acquired the building, the inside was completely derelict. Careful renovation enabled us to re-size the front windows and to retain many of the original features. Cranstackie has a unique open-plan layout and a cosy atmosphere of calm and serenity. As with Craigmor, Cranstackie is ideally located close to the village centre and within easy walking distance of the shops, the local pub and the local beach at Sango Bay.
Ceannabeinne is steeped in history, and is considered to be one of the best located cottages on the Scottish mainland, commanding a lofty position overlooking the beautiful and remote Ceannabeinne bay. In the 1840s, the women folk of Durness resisted the enforced clearances of the local people to make way for sheep farming. However the village of Ceannabeinne was cleared and abandoned. The ruins of this village can still be seen today. Ceannabeinne somehow survived, and became the local school and home to the headmaster and his family. Eventually abandoned and left derelict until the 1960s, the cottage was eventually renovated. We have been letting the cottage since 1987 and it has become a sought after holiday destination, and is an idylic romantic hideaway for couples and small families. Book early to avoid disappointment!!
True to their Norse ancestry, the original settlers loved to pass on stories, and there is hardly a hill, loch or bay in the area which does not boast its own ghost or legend. Although we have not so far met any of these spectral residents, we have witnessed the breathtaking Northern Lights, and joined in when locals stopped work to watch whales playing in the waters beneath the cliffs. Perhaps you too will be lucky …
Ceannabeinne Cottage
Take the coast road east out of Durness and, about three miles
along, you will discover perched on the clifftop the croft of Ceannabeinne.
Rocky hills soar up behind the cottage and, in front, rugged cliffs plunge
to a superb sandy bay far below. The location of Ceannabeinne is considered
to be among the finest on the Scottish mainland.
Originally a croft and barn, Ceannabeinne has been converted in harmony with its dramatic location to provide an unforgettable holiday setting. Wake up to the sound of waves breaking on the shore below; stroll outside with your first cup of coffee and breathe in that refreshing sea air; then tuck into breakfast by the warmth of the Aga while you enjoy one of the best seascapes in Britain from your kitchen table.
In the evening, dine in style beneath open timber beams in the huge sitting room, then gather round a glowing fire and treat yourselves to a wee dram.
This cottage has the following amienities:
* Stunning seascape location
* Handmade oak kitchen with Caithness slate floor
* Welcoming double oven oil fired AGA
* Electric double oven, ceramic hob, microwave
* Dishwasher, fridge freezer
* Washing machine/ tumble dryer
* Full oil fired central heating
* Master double bedroom with hand-made pine bed and comfy pocket sprung
mattress
* Adjacent bathroom, bath, bath shower and WC
* Twin divan beds in sitting room both with comfy pocket sprung mattresses
* All linen, pillows and duvets provided free of charge
* Magnificent sitting room with vaulted beamed ceiling
* Polished oak sitting room floor
* Featured original stone wall above wood burning stove
* Pine breakfast table in the kitchen
* Pine dining table in sitting room
* Leather reclining three-piece suite
* Multi-fuel stove in sitting room
* Satellite TV, video, CD, Hi-fi
* Childrens cot and high chair available free by request
* Books and games
* Surrounding natural grassed garden with stone walling
* Grassed front terrace
Guests have the convenience of private parking at the property.
Craigmor Cottage, our four bedroomed cottage, offers spacious accommodation featuring a king sized master bedroom, separate shower and bathrooms, laundry room, and large quarry tiled kitchen. With its ample car parking, Craigmor is the ideal base for the larger family or party and has become a favourite with groups of walkers, climbers and fishermen.
Please note if you are a couple or small party, please don't discount Craigmor because of its size. It is equally ideal for smaller groups and during the off season months we can often discuss a price to suit your needs, so please contact us.
Craigmor cottage has the following amienities:
* Pine kitchen with electric double oven, ceramic hob, dishwasher, microwave,
fridge freezer
* Utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer
* Full electric central heating - double boosted each day
* Master bedroom with hand-made kingsize bed and comfy pocket sprung mattress
* Adjacent shower room and WC
* Two twin bedded upstairs bedrooms with comfy pocket sprung mattresses
* Double bedroom downstairs with comfy pocket sprung mattress
* Bathroom and WC downstairs
* Pine breakfast table in the kitchen
* Pine dining table in sitting room
* Two eight feet long comfy sofas in sitting room
* Multi-fuel stove in sitting room
* Satellite TV, video, CD
* Hi-fi
* Free, fast BT Wi-Fi broadband
* All linen, pillows and duvets provided at no extra cost
* Childrens cot and high chair available free by request
* Books and games
* Large rear garden with furniture
* Stone barbeque
Guests have the convenience of private parking at the property.
Cranstackie Cottage
Cranstackie has two bedrooms, comfortably sleeps four, and offers
a warm, traditional cottage atmosphere combined with all the space and
features you will need. Cranstackie has become very popular with couples
and families who favour the comfort and convenience of a village location.
The cottage has the following amienities:
* Pine kitchen with electric double oven, ceramic hob, microwave, fridge
freezer
* Washing machine/ tumble dryer/ dishwasher
* Full electric central heating - double boosted each day
* Master bedroom with comfy pocket sprung double mattress and additional
single bed
* Twin bedded upstairs bedroom with comfy pocket sprung mattresses
* Pine bathroom, bath, bath shower and WC
* Pine dining table in sitting room
* Two comfy leather reclining sofas in sitting room
* Multi-fuel stove in sitting room
* Satellite TV, video, CD
* Hi-fi
* Free, fast BT Wi-Fi broadband
* All linen, pillows and duvets provided at no extra cost
* Childs cot and high chair available free by request
* Books and games
* Large rear garden with furniture
* Stone barbeque
Guests have the convenience of private parking at the property.
Craigmor and Cranstackie are a pair of stone built cottages dating back to 1880 situated within the quiet crofting village of Durness. Tastefully renovated by our own craftsmen, Craigmor and Cranstackie incorporate all the comforts of a high quality holiday home whilst retaining many original features.
The croft behind the cottages features rocky outcrops and is ideal for older children to scramble about on. Our friendly sheep do the grass cutting! Magnificent Sango Bay, which is ideal for children, with its expanse of pure white sand and delightful rock pools; the grocers, the gift shop and the pub are all within a short stroll. There is little traffic to worry about in Durness, so children of a suitable age can safely pop down to the sweet shop and to the beach. The garden is shared with Cranstackie.
At the end of the day, relax in the cosy, mellow atmosphere of antique pine and natural stone and enjoy the glowing comfort of a real fire. After dinner, take a walk along Balnakeil Bay and marvel at the cliffs of Faraid Head, or take a short stroll down to the local pub and watch the sun go down over Sango Bay.
Directions to Durness.
By Car
Take the A9 via Inverness to Bonar Bridge; then the A836 to Lairg; and
finally on the A838, via Laxford Bridge and Rhiconich, to Durness. This
section from Lairg remains one of the most scenic and unspoilt single
track roads in Britain.
By Rail
Inverness in the nearest main line station. It is possible to take the
branch line from there to Lairg and a post bus from there to Durness.
www.nationalrail.co.uk
By Air
Inverness is the nearest Airport.
Finding Cranstackie and Craigmor Cottages
When you pass by the 30mph signs as you enter the village, Cranstackie
and Craigmor are the 4th house on your left.
Finding Ceannabeinne Cottage
When you arrive in Durness, turn right and continue East along the coast
road for a distance of three miles. Ceannabeinne is the white cottage
on the right of the road overlooking Ceannabeinne Bay.
