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4 Guests
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2 Bedrooms
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1 Bathroom
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Pets No
Features
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Washing machine
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
15 Customer Reviews
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"The cottage was cold when we arrived."
It took until the following day to be comfortable. The garden area is a mess. The outside of the cottage has just been left unattended. We had a full day with no electricity and then no water for several hours. The bins have not been emptied for a long time. The bathroom had only one light bulb which worked. There was nothing to make us feel welcome. The information holder has leaflets dated 2019. Just seems very expensive for what we got/expected. First thing we saw on arrival was a "sold" sign in the garden, maybe that explains things.
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"The cottage is in a great location, within a short walk of the Beinn Eighe visitor centre and with a shop and Kinlochewe Inn just opposite."
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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"We stayed at the cottage for three nights in early February."
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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"Earlier reviews of the property were concerning, but the last one was okay so we booked and hoped the issued had been addressed."
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.
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"Great cottage, fully equipped and well located for northern highlands, and more ..."
Great cottage, fully equipped and well located for northern highlands, and more - loved catching up on old movies on the giant tv
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"We experienced the following during our stay."
When we arrived at the property we noticed slug/snail trails in the entrance and on kitchen work surfaces. A slug was later found in the kitchen and put outside. There were bird droppings in every room. The window sill of the main bedroom was covered in droppings and they were also found on windows, sills, mirrors and on the back of the chair in the Snug. We were unable to use the chair as it was so contaminated. We assumed a bird had been trapped in the house but as we later found a dead bird inside the log burner, this must have been placed there by the cleaner when the house was cleaned. At night time we could hear mice scratching around in the upstairs ceiling, snug ceiling and behind some walls. We did not find any mice droppings inside but maybe some form of control is needed. The outside at the front of the house is full of weeds and a tree is growing out of the drain. Also the guttering and down pipes are broken so that water runs down the walls outside. Pictures on Sykes website do not give a true picture as the bathroom was extremely gloomy having one ceiling window and inadequate lighting. The photos do not reflect the actual appearance of the property which we found gloomy. Plasterboard was missing from walls where plumbing work had been carried out. In the property summary, starter packs for the wood burning stove and the open fire were stated as included in the price paid. Neither of these were provided. In the middle of our week’s stay an employee of the cleaning firm appeared and wanted to replace the linen. As we had only been there a few days this was not needed. He did not mention doing any cleaning which was needed! We phoned Sykes to make them aware of this in case no one came in after our stay to prepare the house for the next hirers. Bathroom basin did not hold water as plug would not seal. As water was very hot we had to wash using the cold tap. Kitchen was badly in need of a deep clean as cooker, cooker hood etc felt very greasy. We felt the need to wash things before we used them as cupboards and drawers were not clean. Using your words from the property description, “when stomachs start to rumble, utilise the fabulous range of amenities in the kitchen”, we had to go out and purchase foil cooking dishes to knock up a simple macaroni cheese, there were no dishes or casseroles. The toilet seat was not suitable for the toilet and could not be adequately fixed, resulting in it sliding around dangerously. Most of these problems would appear to arise because the owners/Sykes do not keep a check on the property. We booked this property on the basis of Sykes giving it a 4 tick rating but feel we have been misled. Overall we do not feel we got value for our money.
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"Toilet seat not fitted correctly, hot tap in washbasin loose, access panels removed and not refitted Shower fitting sprayed water all over floor missing the fancy curved panel."
Bath in which you stand is not non slip and is not safe, Huge TV not working, claiming ariel not connected and no instructions whatsoever on how to set it up and use all the channels which appeared to be subscription only.
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"Lovely cottage in amazing part of Scotland…."
.worth the drive ! There was a small issue with a minor water leak while we were at the property but it was sorted out in 24 hours and had no real impact on our holiday.
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"The heating was only set to 15゚ so everywhere was incredibly cold apart from ..."
The heating was only set to 15゚ so everywhere was incredibly cold apart from the bedrooms which you could turn on heaters there were 3 of us and the water ran out on two occasions when showering there is a glass I left to one side as it cut my partner's hand quite badly when she was washing up
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"Property listing indicates the power of photography to deceive, BUT, we are adaptable folk and made the most of an excellent week in a superb location."
Main issues: Good points - comfortable bed and excellent shower. Less Good points - property dark, cold and smelled of a kipper factory when we arrived. Storage radiators inadequate; stairs potentially lethal particularly between main bedroom and bathroom; lighting in kitchen poor; No easily read instructions as to how to work cooker and TV. Not everyone has a smart TV or an induction hob cooker and the last thing you want to do after an 8 hour drive is thumb through formal manuals. Hate to moan because the area is superb for outdoor enthusiasts, but property did depress a little particularly as we have come back from two short breaks this year costing about the same in other parts of the country both of which offered much more for the rental in terms of comfort and forethought.. For comparison, we have in the past stayed at the Torridon Inn where a double room with breakfast is still only marginally more per night than the Smithy.. I'm afraid that next time we vist Torridon we shall probably revert to staying there. Sorry!
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"Lovely cosy and warm little cottage in amazing countryside."
Got everything you need.
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"This property did not meet expectations."
We arrived to find the heating off and we had to wear our coats the first evening. Except for a couple of holes in the wall, the housr is nicely decorated and very comfortably furnished it is very drafty. We had to keep the curtains closed all day but, even so, the heating system struggled to keep up, even though set to stay on all day. The kitchen cupboards are in need of a deep clean and some of the dishes and utensils had been put away dirty. There were only 2 saucepans and one lid; and no small plates. The satellite TV system did not work at all and the smart TV intermittent, probably due to poor Internet. The stair go is quite narrow, meaning most adults would need to walk down side ways and we had to leave the light on to cope with the 3 down and 3 up from the main bedroom to the bathroom. The shower does not work properly with the overhead only dispensing cold water. We told Sykes about these things but received no helpful response from the owner, not even an apology. We wonder how often Sykes checks properties they advertise, if at all.
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"Very comfortable & clean."
Unfortunately the freezer was not working, the kitchen had no potato peeler, no small sharp knife and there were no smaller plates in the kitchen cupboards.
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"Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Smithy cottage."
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"A nice comfortable cottage, ideal for our family, Mum Dad & 2 adult daughters."
A good base for walking, exploring and traveling in the area. Information on local area and facilities was good, and internal space and facilities, were convenient for days of inclement weather. A good time was had by all, no issues recommending.
Summary
- 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 inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. 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.
The 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
EPC Rating: Band F
Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: HI-10087-F
About the location
KINLOCHEWE
Torridon 10.6 miles; Achnaclerach 26.9 miles.
Kinlochewe is a pint-sized, rural village positioned within Wester Ross, in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, a short distance from the village of Achnasheen. With the glistening waters of the Kinlochewe River running through the village and Loch Maree set a stone's throw away, Kinlochewe makes an idyllic base to explore the picturesque landscapes of Scotland. Kinlochewe offers all of the self-catering amenities, including a post office with a shop stocking the essentials along with a petrol station, whilst dining options include a pub, restaurant and café. Just outside of the village the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is easily accessible, decorated in towering woodland and hills, including the Scottish mountain, Beinn Eighe. A further selection of amenities can be found in Annat, along with a host of outdoor adventure opportunities leading from Torridon Outdoors.