Dunmorag Cottage
Leverburgh
South Harris

Sleeping 2 (4)

As more and more of Scotland is 'discovered' by more and more visitors, it becomes more and more difficult to find beautiful parts of the country which remain truly peaceful and unspoiled. The Hebridean islands of Lewis and Harris could be looked on as the last frontier in this respect, as indeed they are in purely geographical terms, for apart from lonely St Kilda there is nothing beyond until you hit the east coast of America.

In Leverburgh, a little crofting township on the south coast of Harris is Dunmorag, a typical wee whitewashed cottage, one of many equally typically dotted around the hills in this scattered community. It stands just across the road from the water's edge, with lovely views across the bay, and a few little islands, to the hills of North Uist to the south west.

Detached, in its own fenced, grassed garden, it is a bright and sunny cottage, and no compromises have been made in its complete refurbishment. Double glazed, efficiently heated by electric storage heaters, and with a cheerful open fire in the comfortable sitting room, it is a cosy base for all seasons. The kitchen has a breadmaker (you can fill the place with the delicious aroma of baking bread if you wish! ) Altogether this is a perfect romantic retreat for a couple, or, if they simply won't let you escape on your own, there is a double bed-settee in the sitting room for extra bodies. Outside, the owners have built a decking area, excellent for sitting out with an evening drink.

Harris is superb walking country, and once again you will find the crowds of climbers that flock to the Cuillins and the Munros are absent here. There are both high level and low level walks aplenty, taking you either up or through the mountains. Just up the road from the cottage, at Northton (Taobh Tuath) there is a fabulous stretch of golden sands, mostly deserted, overlooked by the round topped hill of Chaipabhal. In the summer, there are guided walks which will introduce you to the miraculous machair, the salt-enriched coastal grasslands of the northern isles, which in summer are carpeted with wild flowers. The rocks of Harris, composed of Lewis gneiss, are amongst the oldest in the world, thrown up some 3000 million years ago, so this place is also heaven for geologists.

The cottage has views to the harbour where a ferry plies from Leverburgh to North Uist, through one of the most tortuous channels in Scotland. The 60 minute trip provides a great opportunity for glimpsing whales, seals, dolphins and birds. There is a 9-hole golf course at Scarista (5m) and a tennis court at Bunabhainneader right alongside the ocean 25 miles away. In Tarbert (18m) you'll find a beautiful new indoor swimming pool with spa-pool and sauna. Two golf sets, mountain bikes and canoes are available (for use at own risk). Both loch and sea fishing are available locally. All in all, this is a wonderful place to explore, or just be as active or as indolent as you like.

Leverburgh has shops and cafes and there are three good restaurants within a four mile radius (one close to the harbour). And before you go home, why not buy the ultimate memento - a suit length of real Harris Tweed, the manufacture of which is still a flourishing cottage industry on the island?

Bed linen and towels are included . Heating is by electric CH (included ), and open-fire. We regret no pets or smokers.

Accommodation (sleeps 2/4):

Single Storey:

• Sitting room with satellite TV (basic channels/DVD, CD player, open-fire and double bed settee.
• Kitchen with washer drier, microwave/oven (please note there is no conventional oven), electric hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, electric cooker, etc
• Double bed room.
• Bathroom with (Spa) bath, shower, WC and basin.

Tariff (Weekly Rental):

Dunmorag Cottage, £ per week:

255

295

335

385