Accommodation in a Scottish Lighthouse
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Situated on a remote peninsula in the North-West Scottish Highlands,
12 miles from the village of Gairloch and 3 miles from the nearest dwelling,
Rua Reidh Lighthouse is a unique and exciting place to 'get away from it all'.
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Built in 1910 by a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson, it is now fully automated, allowing the keeper's house
within the lighthouse compound to be converted to provide comfortable and homely
accommodation.
Guests have the choice between twin/double rooms with en-suite facilities or shared bathrooms. Family bedrooms are also available (each with a double bed and set of bunk beds).
All rooms have comfy beds, central heating and tea and coffee making facilities.
Meals are charged separately.
Alternatively
you can rent the whole keepers house for your large party or extended family gathering.
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Prices for 2008 (on a room only basis)
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Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on first floor):
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£40 per room per night
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Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on ground floor):
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£34 per room per night
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Twin/double room, with shared bathroom (on first floor):
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£32 per room per night
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Family room (1 double bed and set of bunk beds, ensuite bathroom):
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£42 per room per night
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Family room (1 double bed and set of bunk beds, shared bathroom):
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£38 per room per night
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Hostel bed (4 or 6 person rooms):
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£10 per person per night
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Please Note:
No smoking inside the house
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Meals (if required)
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Available Easter to end October
Breakfast: £6 per person
served 8.30am - 9.15am
Dinner: £13.50 per person
Dinner is served at 7pm
and must be booked by 11am on the day.
A self-catering kitchen
is available for those wishing to cook for themselves.
During the winter months November - March
no meals service is offered (self catering facilities are available).
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HOW TO BOOK
Email us to check vacancies first.
To confirm a booking, we will require your credit card details as a guarantee (MasterCard or Visa).
Due to bank charges we now levy £1 on each credit card transaction.
Minimum 2 nights in July & August for advance bookings
The centre also has a drying room, conservatory, two sitting rooms with log burning fires, a wealth of books to suit all tastes and a stack of
board games to play, along with magnificent views out over the Minch to Skye and the Western Isles.
Binoculars and maps can be hired from us.
Rent the whole keepers house for your large party or extended family gathering!
- Two family rooms with en suite bathroom. Each with 1 double bed & set of bunk beds
- One family room as above but sharing a bathroom
- One family room with en suite facilities. Double/twin bed & bed for a child
- One double room with en suite facilities
- Three twin/double rooms sharing a bathroom
- One three bedded bunk room
- Two sitting rooms
- Large conservatory dining room with tables and chairs to seat 26
- Main kitchen with range cooker etc plus a separate kitchenette
- Drying/laundry room
The house can be rented for 2 nights or more (3 nights minimum in high season) but it becomes increasingly better value the longer the let.
| 2008 PRICES |
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LOW SEASON
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
(excludes festive season) |
MID SEASON
March, April, May,
Early June, Late September, October
(excludes Easter & Whitsun) |
HIGH SEASON
Mid June to Mid Sept,
Easter & Whitsun, Xmas, New Year |
2 Nights:
3 Nights:
Each night thereafter:
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£600
£720
£100
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£630
£840
£136
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n/a
£1100
£200
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Xmas & New Year - whole week lets only: £1900
Hogmanay 2009/2010: Price on application
The price includes linen & towels, starter pack of fuel for the open fires, central heating oil & electricity and VAT. There is a payphone on the premises, washing machine and dishwashers. The house has full central heating and is double glazed.
A damage deposit of £100 is required with the balance payment and is returnable if no there is no damage or extra cleaning needed after your departure.
20% of the total house rent is payable on booking with the balance due six weeks before entry.
Entry is after 4pm and we ask that you leave the house by 10am on the departure day.
Payment by UK cheque or credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
Due to bank charges we now levy £1 on each credit card transaction.
HOW TO GET HERE
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With improved road, rail and air links to Inverness, getting to the outer reaches of the North West Highlands
is easier than you may have thought!
There is an excellent public bus service to Gairloch where a taxi can be ordered to take you to the lighthouse.
There are flights coming into Inverness from UK airports:
There are regular services to Inverness:
Visit traveline for public transport timetables covering Scotland and England.
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Click here for a more detailed map
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Driving Directions:
From Inverness take the A9 north then the A835 heading towards Ullapool. Just past the village of Garve turn left and follow all signs to Gairloch for the next 45 miles. After reaching Gairloch, continue through the village for a mile before turning left by the Police Station onto a road signposted to Melvaig. Continue along this road for 13 miles, the last three of these being the private road to Rua Reidh. The whole journey from Inverness takes around 2 hours, from Gairloch around 30 minutes and the last three miles are very slow as the road is narrow and winding.
Please note that local petrol stations around Gairloch are closed on Sundays
THE AREA
Basking Shark seen from
the lighthouse walls in July 2006 |
Rua Reidh sits amongst some of the finest mountain and coastal scenery in Britain, in a
region with vast stretches of roadless countryside where deer and goats roam wild and where
a variety of birdlife, including the rare and magnificent golden eagle, can be spotted.
The seas of the Minch, which pound dramatically against the rocks of Rua Reidh, team
with life. Seals, dolphins, otters - even the occasional whale - are regularly seen from the
lighthouse. Basking sharks are frequently seen in the summer months. We have binoculars for hire if you'd like to watch the wildlife.
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The moors behind the lighthouse are home to a wealth of seabirds, wading birds, flora and fauna. There are a couple of deserted sandy beaches an hour's walk away and this makes a wonderful excursion (you will need good walking boots and outdoor clothing for this walk as it does cover some rough ground).
For those who'd prefer something more gentle, then a saunter along the cliffs gives breathtaking views of the birds nesting on magnificent sea stacks. White Tailed Sea Eagles may also be spotted in this area.
Visitors are recommended to take a copy of our interpretive walk leaflet which covers the area immediately surrounding the lighthouse.
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The region also has plenty to offer those interested in history. From mesolithic caves
to Bronze and Iron age hut circles, medieval forts to fortified islands, the whole of Wester Ross is an area is rich in
archaelogical remains. Past struggles to make a living from this inhospitable land are also
much in evidence with abandoned crofting hamlets and pastures left to return to heathland.
Gairloch itself is an attractive small town with several hotels, coffee shops, museum, a
variety of activities, shops, etc. The famous Inverewe Gardens are 4 miles and well worth a visit.
Hebridean Whale Cruises (tel: 01445 712458) offers boat trips from Gairloch Harbour, and pony trekking is also available locally.
For the walking enthusiast, the Torridon Mountains and An Teallach (pictured above) are all in easy reach for a day out.
Weather:
Web sites providing useful weather information include:
There are various phone lines you can call for weather updates including:
10-day Weathercall forecast for North West Scotland: 09068 500 425.
External Links:
Rua Reidh Homepage
Nature Quest - Wildlife Weekends
Wildlife walks
Torridon Trek
Rock Climbing Courses
Latest News & Offers
How to book
Email: ruareidh@tiscali.co.uk
Copyright Rua Reidh and The Internet Guide to Scotland 1997-2008
www.ruareidh.co.uk
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