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Former crofter's cottage, Taigh Iain offers the perfect getaway for families or couples. The cottage is located on the west coast of Lewis on the Island of Great Bernera. Although an island, Bernera is connected to Lewis by the only bridge that crosses the Atlantic! Taigh Iain is a stone's throw from a small sandy beach, that is ideal for swimming. It is the ideal location for fishing, walking, sightseeing, cycling or just chilling out. The beautiful Bosta beach is a few minutes drive away, where a popular Iron Age settlement can be found right by the shoreline. The village of Tobson is ideal for exploring tourist attractions such as, the Callanish Stones, the stunning sandy beaches of Uig and the beautiful west cost of the island. A 45 minute drive away is the main town of Stornoway, whic...Former crofter's cottage, Taigh Iain offers the perfect getaway for families or couples. The cottage is located on the west coast of Lewis on the Island of Great Bernera. Although an island, Bernera is connected to Lewis by the only bridge that crosses the Atlantic! Taigh Iain is a stone's throw from a small sandy beach, that is ideal for swimming. It is the ideal location for fishing, walking, sightseeing, cycling or just chilling out. The beautiful Bosta beach is a few minutes drive away, where a popular Iron Age settlement can be found right by the shoreline. The village of Tobson is ideal for exploring tourist attractions such as, the Callanish Stones, the stunning sandy beaches of Uig and the beautiful west cost of the island. A 45 minute drive away is the main town of Stornoway, which has a selection of good restaurants, a sports centre, museum, arts centre and cinema.
House Rules
Pets not allowedKid friendlyNo smoking
Byre on the adjacent feu of the cottage is for sheltering sheep. Guests are not permitted to go into the byre but can walk freely on the croft to access the coastline.
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Honest Review because I read the reviews and I disagree
First impression, tarmac driveway with a gate, soon realised the gate was pointless in keeping your privacy. Eventually worked out kow the sheep excrement was on the drive every day when there was no fence on one side. Entry is via the kitchen because no front door key provided so curious to know if someone has the key and can enter at their leisure? The entire cottage was lovely inside, only pain was the downstairs toilet but as the Kingsize is downstairs it's the upstairs guests that suffer. There were diffusers in every room which became over powering and had to be moved eventually. Bathroom is perfect except the wall socket for electric shaver doesn't work, just like the outside light. Living room was snug and cosy with books, games and freeview TV, we took an amazon stick for more variety. Bedrooms were all nice, window mechanism a little stiff and troublesome at first. Internet speed good and generally a lovely wee cottage in a beautiful setting. But don't expect to sit outside of an evening as the thistles are wild, the sheep wander in from the field overlooking livingroom window and deposit their mess everywhere. I know it's a croft but every other house is enclosed for obvious reasons or have cattle grids at their entrance and fencing all around. Didn't see sheep in their personal space.
The biggest disappointment is the kitchen. You are a 45 minute drive from Stornoway so bear this in mind. Face value the kitchen is a decent size, loads of cupboards and work surfaces but when I'm told check out is 10am and entry is 4pm then I don't expect to clean the previous occupants mess. Cooker is OK but the fridge is beside it, the heat has distorted the fridge door seal, the freezer is all but useless and needs defrosted. We had to disinfect the fridge after finding water in the bottom drawer with insects in it. The water drips down from the freezer onto your food so no packaging can be left open. We moved the toaster and crumbs everywhere, we opened the cupboards and realised we had had enough and used the work tops for storage. We washed the cutlery and plates we needed and placed them beside our food, we had to wash what we needed. We needed a small baking tray to place in the oven and there was congealed white fat on it, it had been used by someone and just put back for the next person. Not a great start to a holiday having to clean a kitchen as you move. It's brilliant for the next guests as the kitchen was in a better shape when we left as my wife didn't want the next guests to be greated with the same disappointment.
I found it unusual to get a free bottle of red wine on the kitchen table when a pint of milk, loaf of bread and some coffee or tea would have been more appreciated. That saying it's only the cleanliness of the kitchen that let's it done but I'm curious to know how 6 hours isn't enough time to prepare the cottage for the next guests.
Finally, I would go back.....
Visited July 2023
Written 30 July 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Safari427916
1 contribution
Lovely holiday
Thank you for a wonderful stay. The cottage was very comfortable and clean and in a beautiful location. We had so much fun paddleboarding, walking, swimming and fishing. We highly recommend this as an idyllic get away.
Visited August 2022
Written 5 August 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia R
1 contribution
Lovely comfortable house
We stayed in this lovely house for a week in August. The house is comfortable (we are a family of 4) and really nicely decorated with lots of reminders of where you are which is really nice. We all enjoyed the cosy sitting area and the warm showers. The heating works really well too and the house was warm throughout when we needed it. We enjoyed having sheep visiting around the house 🙂 every now and then. The kitchen is small but fully equipped and there’s washing machine and dryer.The location of the house is remote, so make sure you have all you need before you return to the house in the evening. One of the loveliest beaches (Bosta) 30 minutes walk away or 5 minutes by car. We went there almost every day before dinner after visiting others places. I recommend doing the Ness Coastal walk although the whole island is full of beautiful spots. Beware that everything is closed on Sunday and many places close on Monday as well to rest.
Visited August 2021
Written 22 August 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew Hornigold
Droitwich, United Kingdom1 contribution
Great "get away from it all" stay
We had a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable 2 weeks stay at Taigh Iain. The cottage is comfortable and spacious (with good WiFi) and a great base for exploring Lewis/Harris. Bosta beach (10 mins drive away) on Great Bernera has pristine sands and crystal clear waters - we snorkelled (with wetsuits) and were virtually the only people on the beach. More widely, we hiked, cycled, went on courses to learn stand up paddle boarding, photography and weaving. We took boat trips, went fishing and enjoyed the culture and wildlife of this beautiful and interesting part of Scotland. Thank you.
Visited July 2021
Written 19 July 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trip14675693314
1 contribution
Wonderful Week
Our family of 4 came from East Lothian to explore Lewis & Harris. This house was a perfect base, especially as we brought canoes and could access the sea from the stunning wee beach round the corner. The house was more spacious than it appeared from the photos & was very comfortable. We were incredibly lucky with the weather - glorious sunshine & breezy so no midges. We swam off stunning beaches and paddled out to gorgeous islands. We saw a golden eagle and heard a snipe thrumming and a corncrake. A wonderful week.
Visited June 2021
Written 4 July 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HMD
Scotland, United Kingdom10 contributions
Perfect in every way
I recently referred a French family here, they asked me to pass on.." we had the best holiday ever, beautiful house, spotlessly clean and a perfect base for exploring especially the beaches in Uig. A hidden gem, what's not to like.
Visited October 2019
Written 18 February 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Storyteller802047
Thank you for passing this on. We are so pleased that your friends enjoyed their stay at our cottage.
Written 19 February 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mathair2014
Inverness, United Kingdom5 contributions
Family Holiday
Although a rural location near the end of a single track road we had a most enjoyable few days at Taigh Iain. Close to Bosta beach and a lovely coastal walk to the Community Centre where, if you time it right, you get a lovely cup of tea. The house is cosy, comfortable beds and nicely decorated. Bernera itself is a lovely island but you can access the lovely beaches of Uig within 40 mins.
Visited August 2018
Written 10 August 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Storyteller802047
Thank you for your kind review and we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay in Taigh Iain.
Written 26 August 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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What this rental offers
Things to do
Fishing spots available
Wi-fi and internet
Wi-fi
Kitchen and dining
Refrigerator
Kettle
Microwave
Cooker
Toaster
Parking
Secure parking available
Entertainment
Television
Nearby
Golf course (within 30 mins drive)
Indoor amenities
Central heating
Fireplace
Internet access
Scenic views
Mountain views
Waterfront views
Services
Housekeeping included
Location info
Beachfront/Lakeside
Bathroom and laundry
Dryer
Iron
Linens provided
Towels provided
Washer
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Map
Getting there
Stornoway Airport
32.1 km
Restaurants
The Scallop Shack
6.4 km
Bernera Community Cafe
2.5 km
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village Cafe
7.8 km
Doune Braes Hotel
5.8 km
Attractions
Carloway Broch
7.5 km • Historic Sites
Carloway Community Shop
7.8 km • Speciality & Gift Shops
Gearannan Blackhouse Village
7.7 km • Historic Sites
Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach)
1.7 km • Beaches
About the neighbourhood
Lewis is the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. The best time to visit is from April to October, when the days are long and the weather mild. The scenery is spectacular, with many white sand beaches which stretch for miles. It is the ideal place to get away from it all and have a healthy, restful break.
Getting around
A car is essential for touring the island and as the cottage is in a remote setting.
Access
Car required
How to get there
Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway or Uig in Skye to Tarbert, Harris. Flights daily to Stornoway from Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Activities nearby
Fishing spots availableGolf course (within 30 mins drive)
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 4 pm • Check out by 10 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
50% refund* if you cancel at least 4 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
About this property
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