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No hen parties or stag parties.
No smoking.
Dogs by agreement - 2 maximum, additional fee, please enquire on booking.
Lead member must be over 21 years of age.
Guests must agree to the full terms and conditions before progressing with the booking.
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We have just returned from a truly magical week at Balnakeil House.we were blessed with good weather and able to eat outside on many of the days. The house is very comfortable and beautifully decorated. It was evident that care and attention had been taken to ensure a 6 star experience. We spent the majority of the time in the kitchen/dining/sitting room and the view from the window seat looking out at the spectacular scenery will be something that will stay with us for a very long time. We especially enjoyed watching the NC Cheviots in the front field, what characters. No need for a television when you have their antics to watch. We also had a field of lambing ewes next to the garden and especially enjoyed the antics of sheepdogs Roy, Rhu and Cap. The sounds at night are only of the birds and the sea. So relaxing.
In terms of nearby attractions, would def recommend the chocolate cafe which is literally just up the road. Very friendly staff and amazing drinks and chocolates. We also enjoyed the zip wire at a nearby cove. The trip to Tongue is worthwhile as the scenery is fantastic and while in Tongue a coffee at the Tongue hotel (newly refurbished) was enjoyable too. The Spar shop in the village Durness is excellent for basics but also has some fabulous luxury local produce.
We ordered fish from a local van (Wednesday) and a local farm and it was fabulous.
We had plans to explore the area more but the house and beach at Balnakeil was so wonderful that we ended up staying there for the majority of our stay. We all said that we wished the stay had been longer to fit everything in!
Thank you to Liz and her team for making our stay so wonderful. We will def be back. A special thank you to the shepherd ( I’m sorry we didn’t ask his name) he was so helpful and friendly and we enjoyed watching him and his dogs. ‘On the bike Roy’ has become our new phrase!
Visited May 2023
Written 15 May 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Written 31 August 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris C
Stockport, United Kingdom7 contributions
A holiday home of excellence
Balnakeil House, Durness
This is a holiday home of excellence. The location, the facilities, the decor, the comfort, the warmth and the cleanliness make it the ultimate destination for family and friends.
Our family occupied Balnakeil House for the Spring Bank Holiday week in 2021 which followed a very difficult year for all with separation and isolation due to the pandemic so this was an opportunity for us to reunite in the most comfortable surroundings you could possibly want.
The house despite its magnificent size had been thoroughly cleaned. The bedrooms spacious, excellent mattresses, pillows and bedding. The bathrooms numerous and spotlessly clean. The kitchen and dining areas superbly equipped. Lounge and entertainment areas very comfortable. The heating system is so well designed that we had no need to light the supplementary wood burning stoves. Drying and laundry room large and well provided for drying beach and wet clothing. A separate beach room with everything that children could possibly want for playing on the beach. The room was large enough to store our kayak and would be a secure place for bikes when not in use.
The location is great for hill walking, rock climbing, beach/sea activities, running and bird watching and much more.
A big thank you to Liz and the team for providing this 6 star facility.
Visited May 2021
Written 23 June 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marcushill
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom1 contribution
Fantastic House - highly recommend
The house was brilliant and catered for every need. The setting is unrivalled - metres from the beach and golf course, while the house itself is spacious and although we were a large group we never felt on top of each other. The large open plan kitchen was great for evening suppers and the bedrooms very comfortable. We will hopefully be coming back next year! Thank you.
Visited August 2020
Written 10 September 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jackie M
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom3 contributions
Perfect luxury holiday staycation
The most beautiful house, perfect for a large group of people, set in a stunning location, just on the edge of Balnakeil Bay. Our children loved being able to walk straight out onto the beach in their wetsuits and swim/kayak or simply play on the beach. We loved the bay of white sand for walking along and finding some peace. The house itself is really spacious, so even if you are part of a large group it doesn't feel crowded and the owners appear to have thought of everything. We dined in the beautiful dining room, and enjoyed suppers around the big kitchen table. The comfortable beds ensured we had the best sleep for a long time. Highly recommend!
Visited August 2020
Written 18 August 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Darran W
5 contributions
Wow, just wow
Planned as a christmas get away for a few friends. Christmas and New Year at Balnakeil House was just an amazing experience. From the day we arrived to the day we left, 11 days in total, the whole holiday was just great. The house is beautiful, the location is stunning. The walks are breathtaking, the two dogs we had with us were shattered at the end of it all.
There is a very well stocked Spar shop in the village. We went shopping in Inverness on the way through to get the majority of the christmas and new year meals.
We ate far to much and drank far to much but what a great way to unwind and what a location to do it in.
I could not recommend this house enough .
Visited December 2019
Written 8 February 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophie B
Clitheroe, United Kingdom31 contributions
Scottish holiday house perfection!
We're a group of three families who have spent a week together on the west coast of Scotland for the last 20 years. This year, we reached 'peak holiday house' with our stay at Balnakeil. It is a beautiful house in a stunning location. The inside is warm and comfy, and has been renovated to a very high standard whilst still being welcoming and relaxing. The downstairs kitchen-dining-sitting room is superb for a big group to socialise together. The kitchen itself is really well equipped and our group of 15 easily fitted round the huge table. There's a more formal dining room upstairs but we loved the kitchen space so much we just used it as a revision room for those unlucky enough to be doing exams! There's a separate sitting room and also a games room so plenty of space to spread out and accommodate those that want to be noisy and those that want a quiet corner. The beds were super-comfy and the showers strong with lots of hot water (use the advance button on the boiler if required). Open the back door and you are yards away from one of the most gobsmackingly gorgeous beaches in Scotland. We loved the area so much that we only got in our cars for a trip out once, preferring to spend our time walking on the beach and surrounding coast.
We loved it so much that whilst we were there we booked in for next year - says it all!
Visited April 2019
Written 17 April 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer G
Rotherham, United Kingdom10 contributions
Amazing House in a Stunning Location
My parents booked this amazing family holiday for us. There were 12 of us. Including 4 kids, ages 6 & 10.
My parents have been visiting the area for years and had seen the house when it was unoccupied and whilst it was being renovated. It was a dream to stop here and it came true. Living up to and exceeding expectations.
This house is just amazing. The setting, the interior, the lawn, just all of it. Everything you need and more. Home from home.
Very well equip. From herbs and spices to cool bags and ice packs. DVDS to body lotion. Games for all the family, body boards and BBQ. Really Comfy beds and amazing views.
The kitchen/diner window seat was my favourite spot inside the house. This overlooked the beach.
We had sheep and rabbits just over the fence too.
The beach is amazing and the sea crystal clear, if not a little cool! The sand dunes are awesome. We spent lots of time sand boarding down them.
The shop is a couple of minute drive away.
Things to do and see:
Smoo Cave (5 min drive) is a good place to visit for an hour or so.
We also visited Oldshoremore beach and Polin beach, near Kinlochbervie (approx 40 mins drive). The beaches were beautiful here too and the climate was about 7 degrees warmer, as they are off the west coast, rather than the north.
We took our inflatable Kayaks with us and used these on the sea at our beach (Balnakeil) and Polin beach. On Polin beach we discovered caves in the massive rock/land to the right side of the sea/beach.
We also visited Tarbet (you can get a ferry across to Handa Island here) and had a picnic on the grass area just up from the jetty/pebbly beach. We took the kayaks around the water/sea here too and paddled (in the kayaks) around many little rocks/islands. We discovered seals, basking in the sun on a rock, they watched us for a while and then jumped in and swam around us (at a distance) afterwards. The sea was really calm and so clear. Before we headed home (to Balnakeil House), we went to Scourie and had fish and chips from a chip van. These were delicious. I think the van opens on a Tue and Thur.
We will certainly be holidays up that way again and hope to stay at Balnakeil House again in the future too.
Visited May 2018
Written 12 June 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wee_dkh
Jakarta, Indonesia18 contributions
Amazing house in a spectacular location
We stayed in Balnakeil House two years in a row in August 2013 and 2014. The house really has been beautifully renovated and equipped with everything you could need. The bedrooms are very comfortable and there are several public rooms. In fact, for both visits, the amazing kitchen was the social heart of the house and the dining room and living room were underused although very comfortable. Balnakeil beach is a wonder. There are many interesting walks close by – shore and hill -– and several nice day trips. Chocolate Mountain and the Northern Delights bakery are a short walk away and highly recommended. Balnakeil House is an excellent choice, especially for a larger group. We would gladly come again. This part of Scotland is breathtaking and really worth a visit.
Visited August 2014
Written 25 October 2014. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicola F
Greenlaw, United Kingdom1 contribution
Fabulous house in spectacular setting !
We spent a fabulous week at Balnakeil with family ranging from 7 to 70 years old. The house is situated yards from the extensive beach and has been tastefully restored to provide a beautiful and very comfortable home complete with up-to -date facilities. There was plenty of space to accommodate our extended family, whether cooking together, dining around the wonderful dining room table or finding places "to chill!" With a beach on the door step, a surf shop nearby, wonderful walks and cycle routes on hand and a fabulous chocolate shop within walking distance there was plenty to keep all 16 family members entertained ! Have no hesitation in recommending this holiday rental and look forward to returning before too long !
Visited July 2013 Travelled with family
Written 8 April 2014. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Balnakeil is on the North West tip of Scotland, and while it may be a long trip for some, it rewards those that make the journey. With impressive beaches, hills and vast open spaces, it is just how you imagined the Highlands to be and more.
It’s an attractive walk to Durness (1 mile) to find the shop, pub and petrol station. Stop off at the Balnakeil Craft village on the way and peruse the local arts and crafts on offer, or buy some scrumptious chocolate at the well-known Cocoa Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Balnakeil is truly magical, and no matter how you spend your time here, you will regret ever having to leave such a special place.
Getting around
Many places you may wish to visit are within walking distance, however a car is necessary.
Access
Car required
How to get there
Fly to Inverness and hire a car or drive the whole way - one of the most spectacular drives you will ever experience.
Activities nearby
Fishing spots availableGolf course (within 15 min walk)Watersports
About this property
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