Guests say
Smithy Cottage is a charming property set in the stunning Northern Highlands, appreciated for its comfortable beds and well-equipped kitchen. While some guests have encountered issues, the cottage's location and the warmth of the bedrooms have been well-received. The property is undergoing renovations, which shows the owner's commitment to improving guest experiences.
Guests have reported cleanliness issues such as slug trails, bird droppings, and a general need for a deeper clean. These concerns suggest attention to cleanliness is required.
The cottage's location in the Northern Highlands is highly praised for its beauty and proximity to outdoor activities, making it a great base for exploring the area.
The comfort of the property receives mixed reviews. While the beds are noted as comfortable and the bedrooms warm, issues with heating and draftiness in other areas have been mentioned.
Facilities and maintenance issues such as non-working appliances, inadequate heating, and incomplete renovations have been highlighted, indicating room for improvement.
There is no mention of gifts or extra touches of thoughtfulness in the reviews, so it is not possible to assess this category.
About this property
Positioned in the heart of the rural village of Kinlochewe, in the Highlands of Scotland, rests this picture-perfect stone-built holiday home, Smithy Cottage. Enjoying a peaceful countryside setting and boasting a cosy and characterful interior, Smithy Cottage makes a wonderful base for a staycation for four. Park up on the rural country lane and make your way over the thresh-old of this charming abode to begin your staycation, kicking off your muddy walking boots in the entrance hall before unwinding with a steaming cup of tea amongst the warmth of the woodburning stove in the snug. When stomachs start to rumble, utilize the fabulous range of amenities in the open-plan kitchen/diner to cook up a hearty meal to be enjoyed at the dining table; the handy washing machine and tumble dryer help keep your holiday attire fresh! At the end of an action-packed day, put your feet up in front of the cracking open fire and enjoy a family favourite as it plays on the television in the sitting room, or pour in the bubbles and es-cape the excitement with a blissful soak in the bath. Set across the way from the stylish family bathroom rests two well-presented bedrooms, comprising of a zip/link super-king-size and a twin, each offering flexible sleeping arrangements for couples, families and friends sharing. Enjoying a central location in the village of Kinlochewe, you'll find a handful of local amenities nestled on your doorstep, including the well-stocked shop positioned within the Post Office, The Stag Highland Restaurant and the Whistle Stop Cafe, both offering a delicious menu sure to suit all tastes and budgets. Get better acquainted with your rural surroundings with a scenic stroll alongside the banks of Kinlochewe River, leading north to the glistening waters of Loch Maree and the enchanting Victoria Falls. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors of Scotland with an adventure through the varying terrains of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve; tackle the climb to the summit of Beinn Eighe, affording spectacular views from the top. Thrill seek-ers in the group may wish to embark on a journey along the North Coast 500, a scenic driving route running alongside the north coast of Scotland, framing some of the most magical views and promising a truly memorable experience. Explore the delights of the Highlands with a stay at Smithy Cottage. EPC Rating: Band F
Kinlochewe is a little settlement in Wester Ross, in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, near Achnasheen. Kinlochewe. With its glittering Kinlochewe River and nearby Loch Maree, Kinlochewe is an ideal location for exploring Scotland's beautiful landscapes. There's a collection of amenities, including a post office, a shop, a petrol station and a few eateries. Nearby Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve features towering woods and hills, notably the Scottish mountain Beinn Eighe.
Accommodation
Two bedrooms: 1 x super-king-size (zip/link, can be twin on request), 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Sitting room with open fire.
Snug with woodburning stove
Electric central heating with woodburning stove and open fire.
Electric oven, ceramic hob, kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer.
TV, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Roadside parking available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop 0.2 miles, pub 0.1 mile.
Please note: The TV Is for internet streaming only.
Reviews (13)
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Jenny
It was very clean and comfortable, and equipped with everything we needed. The only thing we'd suggest is clearer instructions on the water heating (we didn't find any instructions but managed fine once we'd discovered the timer switch in the kitchen). Would definitely stay there again.
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Jessica
The location of the cottage is great for anyone looking to explore the hills around Torridon which is what we were there to do. Most of the cottage has been renovated to a modern and comfortable standard. The master bedroom in particular is very large and the bed is very comfy. Some of the previous reviews were quite critical of the property, especially regarding the heating. As the property doesn't have a gas supply, the heating is all electric: panel heaters in the snug adjoining the kitchen, and the two bedrooms. In addition, the main lounge, kitchen and landing have electric storage heaters. As all heaters are turned off when the property is empty, and the storage heaters are "recharged" over night, this means that it was quite cold on the first night. However, the snug with the panel heater could be used on the first night. Maybe it would be good if the storage heaters were switched on the night before guests arrive? Other than that, the property has been quite nicely renovated; only the kitchen could do with a little bit of TLC and a few extra plates :) All in all, I'd stay at the cottage again when visiting the area.
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Nigel
Thankfully, the owner is part way through renovation work (which wasn't an issue for us) and we enjoyed our long weekend stay. The location was good and the house was clean throughout. The bedrooms were warm, comfortable, decorated, and with new carpets, beds and bedding! The kitchen/ dinning area was well equipped for our needs. The bathroom had also been nicely renovated but included a sign warning of the fluctuating extremes of water temperature. We tried it but, despite being out walking each day in sub-zero temperatures, found the sudden temperature changes to be too extreme to use..! Unlike the heating upstairs, the limited heat produced by the radiators downstairs left the sitting room & kitchen feeling cool/ cold. (Lighting a fire in the sitting, with the small number of logs left, and with no shops open, was not a viable alternative.) After preparing and eating food each evening we found ourselves sitting 'immediately next to' the kitchen radiator, dressed in the same winter outdoor clothing we'd worn during the day. None of the above is meant as a complaint, more as a precaution that if you visit in Winter, be fully prepared. I hope that the owner will take this review in the spirit in which I intended and look into the points raised - as I suspect that much of the above is current 'work in progress'. As mentioned, we enjoyed our stay, and would return, but hope that future users provide an update on progress. Lastly: the 'current' images of the house interior should be updated for the website; the stone and paving by the front door is lethal in icy conditions and needs a bag of sand/grit to be left out; and the light switch to illuminate beneath the kitchen units needs checking as it's loose and sparks on occasions.