Accommodation in a Scottish Lighthouse

Choice of:
B&B Accommodation
Hostel (Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars)
Or rent the whole keepers house
as self catering for groups of 20+
Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Chris Barrett and Fran Cree
Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Melvaig, Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 2EA
North-West Scotland
Telephone: +44(0)1445 771 263
Email: ruareidh@tiscali.co.uk

Location & Travel

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'.

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.

bedroom

Prices for 2008 (on a room only basis)

Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on first floor): £40 per room per night
Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on ground floor): £34 per room per night
Twin/double room, with shared bathroom (on first floor): £32 per room per night
Family room (1 double bed & set of bunk beds, ensuite bathroom): £42 per room per night
Family room (1 double bed & set of bunk beds, shared bathroom): £38 per room per night
Hostel bed (4 or 6 person rooms): £10

Please Note:
No smoking inside the house

Meals (if required)
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).

Prices for 2009 (on a room only basis)

Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on first floor): £42 per room per night
Twin/double room, en-suite facilities (on ground floor): £34 per room per night
Twin/double room, with shared bathroom (on first floor): £32 per room per night
Twin/double room, with shared bathroom (on ground floor): £28 per room per night
Family room (1 double bed & set of bunk beds, ensuite bathroom): £44 per room per night
Family room (1 double bed & set of bunk beds, shared bathroom): £38 per room per night
Hostel bed (4 or 6 person rooms): £10 per person per night

Please Note:
No smoking inside the house

Meals (if required)
Available Easter to 26th October
Breakfast: £6 per person
served 8.30am - 9.15am

Dinner: £15 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).

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.

conservatory sitting room

Rent the whole keepers house for your large party or extended family gathering!

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.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEW YEAR
27th December 2008 - 3rd January 2009
15% discount on the full week or special rates for a shorter booking
Contact us for details

2008 PRICES

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:
£600
£720
£100
£630
£840
£136
n/a
£1100
£200

2009 PRICES

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:
£618
£742
£103
£649
£865
£140
n/a
£1133
£206

Xmas 2009 & New Year 2009/2010 - whole week lets only: £1957

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.

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HOW TO GET HERE

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.

Map of the region
Click here for a more detailed map

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

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THE AREA

marine life
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.

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.

west coast

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.

An Teallach photo

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:

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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

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www.ruareidh.co.uk
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