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6 Guests
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3 Bedrooms
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1 Bathroom
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Pets Yes
Features
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Cot available
- Highchair available
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Dishwasher
- Seaside
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
25 Customer Reviews
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"Paye House was lovely."
We had the most wonderful week in the most wonderful village. The accomodation was spotless. The kitchen catered for all cooking needs. The beds, linen, heating, fire place, board games etc made the cottage very comfortable. Cromarty and Paye House did not disappoint. Truely a lovely place.
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"Clean, well equipped, roomy, full of character."
Lovely people. Fantastic location. Loved it!
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"Paye House is in the heart of Cromarty and a perfect location for exploring the highlands, beautiful scenery."
A comfortable accommodation perfect for a large family with all amenities needed for a stay. The only downside that we found was the beds uncomfortable with roll on all beds. Having stayed in many cottages over the years we would have hoped for a welcome basket with the basics to allow for tea and coffee making on arrival but no such luck. We arrived at 7pm after a 11 hour drive to reach the cottage and with no shops etc open in the village this made for disappointment in the stay. We had to travel back to Inverness to find an open shop to stock up on provisions.
Thank you very much for your feedback. We have noted your comments about the beds and will investigate. We have new sofas, soft furnishings and art work planned for Paye over the winter. As with many Highland Villages they only offer a small local or Spar shop. We would always encourage customers to stop in Inverness or Dingwall where there are larger supermarkets with longer opening hours. Property Owner
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"Personally I would have liked the back garden to have been more inviting."
It needed a clean and tidy up to be able to sit outside. Outside seating is something I really enjoy!
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"The Paye House is very comfortable, beautifully furnished and full of character."
It is right in the centre of Cromarty, opposite a pub (The Fishertown Inn) which does good local beers and gins, and a small but well done (and reasonably priced) menu to cater for all dietary needs. It is a stone’s throw from the waterfront, and there are dog walks from the door. We did find a few maintenance issues, which maybe had not been reported by anyone else, but the charming young gentleman in the Hugh Miller Museum was really quick to act when we pointed these out. I would happily recommend this as a place to stay.
Many thanks for your feedback and we are sorry that you had some maintenance issues. Glad to hear that the team at Hugh Millar's sorted them out quickly. The house is in a great village, you can see the dolphins off the coast, easy to get to the West Coast or Inverness and even a little ferry to the Black Isle in Summer. Property Owner
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"We had a wonderful week at the Paye House."
The house is old (by a couple 100 years) so visitors should not expect modern accommodation. However, the kitchen was very functional and perfect for the four of us. The washing machine (which is also a dryer) worked and the bedrooms and baths were comfortable. We had a lovely time in Cromarty and did a lot of walking. The area is beautiful and we felt that a one-week holiday needed to be longer. A couple of recommendations: Upgrade the kitchenware, the knives are so dull they are hazardous. Some of the pots and pans were old and dirty. The floors in the house were a bit dirty, so a scrub between visitors would be great. Supplies were rather limited for a week stay, e.g., there were two rubbish bags provided but as a group of 4 we needed more. The rubbish bin was mostly full when we arrived. Despite these recommendations, I would return to the Paye house today, as the location and ambiance are wonderful.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you had some issues in the house and we have passed on your feedback to the property team to rectify the issues. Cromarty is a great location, indeed, one of Scotland's most famous crime writers has a home there as well. Holidays Dept NTS Property Owner
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"Had a great time, cottage was lovely and clean."
Beds were very comfortable. If you like modern and sleek decor this isn't for you. Otherwise it was fantastic!
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"We had a lovely three night stay at Paye House and didn’t want to leave."
A lovely cottage with everything you need and so perfectly placed for everything in Cromarty. Can’t wait to return next year.
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"When we arrived there was half a toilet roll between the two toilets, no hand soap, no dish cloth, no matches and only two dishwasher tablets."
Some dishes and baking trays in the cupboards had food residues on them. The radiator in the kitchen did not work reliably, the runners for the top basket of the dishwasher were broken, the main oven door did not close readily. Kitchen knives and scissors unusably blunt. Disappointing.
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are sorry that you had some issues during your stay and the house not prepared to our usual standard. We have updated the team in Cromarty about the problems you encountered and we are looking into the kitchen equipment. We do publish local contact numbers in the Welcome Folder in case of any problems and the team would have been only too happy to help as soon as you encountered the problems. Property Owner
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"Paye House is a wonderful period cottage with everyone you need for a stay."
We were so welcomed by the locals as we explored Cromarty, such a magical place to explore. I would highly recommend Paye house and would not hesitate to stay again in the future.
Thank you for your kind words. Cromarty is a lovely village to stay in, lovely shops, views out to the Firth and near to Chanonry Point to get the best view of the Dolphins. Property Owner
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"There a lot of dead flies in cobwebs on the windows in the living area"
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"Spacious and well-appointed house in a lovely location."
Highly recommended. The key box is at the BACK door, accessed through a tall, anonymous gate up the cobbled lane beside the house. Quite a few small maintenance/cosmetic issues, but I guess this must be normal for a high-throughput property. Wi-Fi works (intermittently) in north rooms of the house, but not in south (back) ones. Best to park down on the seafront after unloading since the streets and lanes in the vicinty are very narrow.
Thank you for your feedback and comments which we appreciate. Property Owner
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"We had a great stay in this beautiful cottage."
Would definately stay again.
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"Radiator in the kitchen wasn’t very effective throughout the week and the heating in general was inadequate at the beginning of the week."
Minor points - no dustpan and only 2 black plastic bags. Apart from that the house was lovely and very comfortable. It was a great week.
Many thanks for the feedback and a plumber has visited the house and all the issues have been resolved. Property Owner
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"It is a very well run property with very "home like" feel in a beautiful village."
Thank you very much, glad to read that you enjoyed your holiday in Cromarty. we hope to welcome you back. Property Owner
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"We had an absolutely wonderful stay in Paye House which was very comfortable and beautifully presented."
Cromarty is a joy. I would highly recommend this property and we very much hope to return.
Thank you very much for your kind words. Property Owner
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"A beautiful & well appointed house in a fantastic location."
I will be back :)
Thank you for your feedback and we look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner
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"Lovely period house in a gorgeous Black Isle village."
It was bitterly cold when we arrived and the central heating didn't seem to be working. However a call to the caretakers sorted this and they provided more fuel for the open fire too! Great service. Really enjoyed our stay and will be back!
Many thanks for your feedback. I am glad that our Property Manager was able to sort out the heating for you and provide some extra fuel. Cromarty is a unique village. Property Owner
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"The spacious cottage has a warm and cosy feel to it and despite COVID procedures limiting/removing some items normally available there (books etc), it was well equipped and provided everything we needed for home cooking etc."
We loved Cromarty itself; the residents are wonderful custodians of its rich history and are very welcoming. A great base from which to explore the surrounding area and beyond. Alix (property manager) was very helpful and we appreciated the provision of a table and chairs for breakfast on the patio.
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Paye House. Property Owner
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"Delighted to see on my 2nd visit this year that the garden had been tidied up and shrubs clipped."
Disappointed however that there is still no outdoor seating provided.
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"The house is lovely, Cromarty a brilliant place to stay for a week."
It was let down by unnecessary stingyness in things like the dishwasher tablets. only 2 were left for a week’s stay, and as an additional Covid measure, they also asked us to put a full load on at the end, even if everything had already been washed and put away. So only 1 tablet for the rest of the week. The boiler was very noisy at around 4.10am every day, and just before midnight. Minor niggles in an otherwise idyllic place.
The Trust only leaves enough consumable materials for the evening of the night of arrival, which includes washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets and hand soap. The expectation is that guests will furnish the rest of their cleaning supplies. Running the dishwasher on the day guests leaves is an additional safeguard brought in because of the pandemic. The hot water boiler can be noisy, the thermostat cuts in when the temperature of the water drops below a certain level as a prevention against Legionella. If guests are disturbed by the boiler it may be prudent for them to turn off the heating and hot water over night. Property Owner
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"Paye house was exceptional."
We loved everything about it. Comfort, location, history & facilities all A*
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Paye House Property Owner
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"Once again we have enjoyed a Holiday in Cromarty - a couple of minor issues at property we would have preferred to have not had to deal with 1."
Some Dog fouling in garden - we cleaned up but Dog Owners need to be responsible and perhaps the Scoop the Poop message needs to be reinforced 2. The Bath/Shower Drain was not draining at all well, we purchased some Drain Buster from local store which cleared the blockage Above didn't adversely affect our holiday but were avoidable
Many thanks for your comments and glad you enjoyed your holiday. We will continue to reinforce the Dog fouling message at the cottage and we hope that our dog owning guests follow the reminders. Thank you for bringing to our attention the slow draining bath, and sorry that you had to buy some Drain Buster. The cleaning team do treat the drain when necessary but we will certainly keep an eye on it. Property Owner
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"Very lovely characterful house in great location."
Few niggles - WiFi only really worked in the lounge - realise is old property with thick walls and in the country ! - we were OK with it, others might not be......... The TV in the lounge is very small for the size of the room - not much bigger than a computer monitor. Could do with an upgrade so can watch films etc Garden - could do with some garden furniture
Thank you for your comment about Paye House. Yes unfortunately WiFi doesn't work well in any house with solid walls. We will look at a larger screen TV when we come to replace it. The garden furniture was removed just before the Pandemic and we hope to be able to source some new garden furniture as it is a pleasant garden to sit in. Property Owner
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"Whilst I found the accommodation and facilities at Paye House up to its usual high standard, I was disappointed over 2 specific aspects to the booking: 1."
There was no seating available in the rear garden. In previous years there has been a picnic bench there. Fortunately I had brought a collapsible lounger, without which I would have had no means of relaxing in the garden. 2. The rear garden has been poorly maintained - weeds and overgrown shrubs were everywhere and detracted from what would otherwise be a very enjoyable place to sit and enjoy the setting.
Thank you for your feedback, we are in the process of sourcing some new garden furniture for Paye House. During the pandemic we were unable to carry out routine gardening as we would normally carry out. Property Owner
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 2 x doubles, 1 x twin
- Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
- Cloakroom with basin and WC
- Kitchen
- Dining room/study
- Sitting room with open fire
- Oil-fired central heating
- Range cooker, electric oven and ceramic hob, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with DVD player, WiFi and radio
- Fuel, power and starter pack for fire inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Travel cot and highchair available
- Roadside parking
- Garden with patio
- Two well-behaved dogs welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop 0.2 miles, pub 0.1 miles
- This property is part of National Trust for Scotland and situated directly beside Hugh Millers Birthplace and Museum to which you have complimentary access during your holiday
- The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here
The property
Located in the coastal town of Cromarty's historic conservation area, surrounded by cobbled lanes and listed buildings, this traditional 18th-century dwelling offers everything you could need for a self-catering stay, ideal for exploring the local seaside villages, sandy beaches and bottlenose dolphins found in this beautiful region of Scotland.
Paye House is steeped in history; originally owned by the keeper of the County Gaol, it has also served as a general store, doctors’ surgery and a depot for antique toys throughout its life.
In the summer months enjoy an evening relaxing in the garden patio area and marvel at the sunset, when the weather is cooler settle in for an evening next to the open fire in the welcoming sitting room, or delve into a good book in the secluded study area.
Prepare your meals with locally sourced, fresh produce in the kitchen/diner, a well-equipped space with an impressive range of appliances including a large Rayburn cooker.
For more formal occasions make use of the dining room, ideal for entertaining friends and family.
Withdraw upstairs and take your pick from one of three beautifully decorated bedrooms, comprising two doubles and a twin, all with ample storage.
Make use of the spacious bathroom, sinking into a hot bubble bath, or choosing to take a refreshing morning rinse under the overhead shower.
Paye House offers an excellent base for exploring this unforgettable region of Scotland within easy reach of Inverness.
Note: This property can be booked with Ref. 1060409, together sleeping eight people.
EPC Rating: Band G
Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: HI-20093-F
Hugh Miller's Cottages
Situated within the Fishertown area of Cromarty is this pair of traditional cottages. Resting next to Hugh Miller's Birthplace Cottage and Museum, a fantastic National Trust for Scotland property boasting an incredible display of the self-taught Scottish geologist and writer’s fossils, tools and manuscripts, as well as the attractive Garden of Wonders. Both cottages are steeped in history, offering a quaint base for a family escape to this incredible corner of the Scottish Highlands. Resting within walking distance of the properties, you will be greeted by The Fishertown pub, a family-run business where you can delight in a night away from the kitchen as you indulge in a heart-warming meal accompanied by a rewarding beverage, the perfect stop for after a day of walking the incredible coastline. The town of Cromarty itself is home to several shops for you to stock up on essentials, as well as sandy beaches such as Rosemarkie Beach, which has beautiful beach caves to explore, or take a brisk autumn walk and find Georgian architecture, bottlenose dolphins and bird colonies of international importance throughout this scenic area. Discover superb natural attractions, including the ‘Hundred Steps’ to South Sutor; the rugged rocks found along Cromarty Firth, once believed to be the workbenches of two giant shoemakers; and the National Trust for Scotland site of Culloden, where you can delve into the stories behind the Jacobite Risings and the last battle to be fought on Scottish soil. Cromarty lies on the incredible North Coast 500 route, an epic road trip spanning over 500 miles around the spectacular Scottish coast, providing a perfect way to explore whether completing the full route or just a smaller section, with Hugh Miller’s Cottages making the perfect pit stop. Further afield is the vibrant city of Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands, where you can explore the famous Loch Ness, spend a day at the Victorian Market or Eastgate Shopping Centre, or enjoy an evening of fine dining at one of the many restaurants and bars. Choose these historic holiday cottages as your resting base for an exciting trip with your loved ones, in ideal reach of the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
About the location
CROMARTY
Inverness 23.8 miles; Elgin 59.1 miles; Lossiemouth 63.8 miles.
Cromarty, poised on the tip of the Black Isle at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth, is the Highlands' best preserved historic town. It is a jewel, rich in history, folklore, striking architecture, and offers grand views of seven counties from the headland above it. But Cromarty is more than just an 18th century town. For modern travellers and holidaymakers it provides a wealth of attractions: sandy beaches, unusual architecture, Bottlenose Dolphins, eating places, a multi-award winning museum, beautiful countryside, wildlife, and bird reserves of international importance, to name but a few. Being only a 30 minute drive from Inverness, the 'Capital of the Highlands', Cromarty combines the advantages of its convenience as a base from which to travel throughout the Highlands, with an apparent detachment from the mainstream tourist routes, giving the best of both worlds.
View more holiday cottages in Cromarty
Dogs are not allowed on beds or any of the furniture or in the formal garden
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas