Swallow Byre is a beautiful renovation of a traditional barn. Situated just seven miles from the village of Lochinver the property is ideally located for exploring the Assynt Peninsula and its spectacular coastline.
The property is ideal for two but can accommodate an additional one adult or two children with the use of a sofa-bed. The renovation has retained much of the original character of the building making this property somewhat unique.
The main part of the house is open plan with the lounge at one end and the kitchen diner at the other. A striking feature in the lounge is the original exposed stonework and the windows, one of which is located in what would have been the original byre door.
The lounge is furnished with comfortable seating and benefits from having a wood burner. A breakfast bar separates the lounge from the kitchen. The kitchen is well equipped and has all the usual kitchen items including a Rayburn for cooking. Further facilities include a bedroom with a zip and link king size bed and a wet room.
Stoer itself is a small hamlet with just a few inhabitants. Not far from the village is Stoer Bay together with a great sandy beach. Heading north you will find the Stoer Head Lighthouse built by the Stevenson family in 1870. Beginning at the lighthouse a popular walk leads you along the cliffs to the remote Point of Stoer. The scenery here is quite amazing, the highlight of which is the 200ft rock stack of the Old Man of Stoer, a particular favourite of climbers.
Travelling south back to Lochinver the small village of Clachtoll can be found. Visitors should look out for signs to the campsite, follow the small road leading through the campsite to the bay and its stunning beach of white sands. The views here are quite spectacular, including the mountains in the south. The area is a popular spot for a day out and the beach ideal for relaxing on and thinking about the following days adventure. Clachtoll campsite also has a small shop which is open Easter to the end of October.
Lochinver itself is a busy fishing port, one of the busiest in the Highland Region and a stopping off point for vessels from many parts of the world. The village is home to the The Assynt Visitor Centre, created by the Assynt Tourism Group. The centre has many displays and information about the area, and also incorporates the Tourist Information Centre, a must visit place for any guest. Around the sea front there are a small selection of shops including a very good butchers and the Lochinver Larder, ideal for a quick lunch or an evening dinner, they also do a great range of takeaway food including their renowned pies.
Located on the opposite side of loch Inver is the Highland Stoneware Factory and Shop, their hand painted ceramics are known for their designs inspired by the local wildlife and scenery, and you will be able to see the artists at work and perhaps purchase a gift. This side also allows you to enjoy the most spectacular views of the domed peak of Suilven, the mountain at 2389ft is not that high but does look quite impressive.
Facilities
Additional Facilities
Included in the price
Mobile Phone Reception
We have been advised that in the area, mobile phone reception is available using the Vodaphone, EE and O2 networks.
Good Housekeeping Deposit
A Good Housekeeping Deposit of £75.00 is required at this property.
Best Feature
STL Licence No: HI-00416-F EPC RATING: E
We had the most wonderful stay in Swallow Byre this September. Our host Jane gave us a warm Highland welcome and was very kind and friendly during our stay. She also gave us some great tips on things to do including a walk up to a lovely lochan behind the cottage. The cottage was extremely comfortable and the Rayburn made it feel very cosy and welcoming. It was also lovely to warm up homemade scones from Jane! Swallow Byre was spotlessly clean and very well equipped with everything we could need for a comfortable week. Great location close to Lochinver with beautiful views and lovely local beaches. Lots of great walks nearby too but waterproof footwear definitely needed to navigate bogs! Really hope we might be able to come back sometime! Thanks so much Jane, we've had a truly memorable holiday.
This is the best holiday cottage we have ever stayed in over many years!! The cottage is very well appointed with every thing we needed. A constant supply of hot water and a warm wet room was a major plus point. Jane was an excellent host. A good base for easy and challenging (Suilven) walks.
We had 2 excellent weeks staying at Swallow Byre. We were lucky to have had good weather. The cottage is absolutely lovely. It is very comfortable and warm. There is plenty of space for 2 people. Everything you need is there, you just need to bring your food. Jane, the owner is very friendly and helpful. From the cottage there are lovely views on the the fields and loch. Sheep come grazing near the house. If you're lucky you'll hear the cuckoo.
We had a lovely stay at Swallow byre, and despite some wild weather we were warm and cosy. Lots to see and do in the vicinity even in winter, and lovely beaches nearby for a new years day swim! Jane was a fantastic host who went to every length to make us feel welcome. The woodburning stove was marvellous, the rayburn was exceptional for cooking on, and the cottage is very well equipped. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful week at Swallow Byre and enjoyed every minute of our stay. We fell in love with the cottage and Jane who thinks of everything to make your stay special. If you are looking for peace and quiet in a warm and cosy retreat don't hesitate to book.
We have just returned from a magical week at Swallow Byre. The accommodation is charming, warm and affords everything one could wish for, Jane has thought of her guests every need. We fell in love with the cottage and Jane, whose only thought was our enjoyment and we hope to return soon. X
Super cottage - lots of nice touches to make you feel comfortable and at home. Cosy and well equipped. Beautiful location and area. Thank you!
Had a fabulous time at Swallow Byre. Comfy, well equipped cosy cottage in a beautiful spot. The area is perfect for a relaxing holiday.
About as far from our everyday home as we could get, opening the front door to Swallow's Byre was an absolute delight. In a very beautiful location, this little croft had everything that you would need, it was extremely well presented. You would not want to holiday here if you wanted to be in the thick of things, so for us, who were looking to get right away from everything, this property could not have ticked more boxes. Instead of walking everywhere, we trialled our electric bikes and we found, to our total pleasure, endless roads and tracks to use all over the area. There are all sorts of venues both near and far and the croft is so located as to provide easy access to them all. It was a home from home and we wanted for nothing, we would most definitely return, probably in a different season, a very special thank you to Jane the owner for her every attention to detail.
Wonderful cottage and delightful host. Cannot recommend highly enough!
I really enjoyed my stay in the swallow byre. It's cosy, warm and there is a nice atmosphere. Absolutely quiet within a beautiful landscape, only a few minutes walk to the beach. Jane is so kind and helpful, her selfmade scones are delicious.
Another amazing week at Swallow Byre. Many thanks to owner Jane and the team at Wilderness.
Lovely cosy cottage with everything we needed in a beautiful location, perfect for exploring the north west coast of Scotland. Jean was an excellent host, amazing scones. Would definitely return sometime.
Another wonderful week at Swallow Byre. Our host Jane is amazing and made sure we had everything we needed. Many thanks.
Another fantastic week at Swallow Byre.
Excellent cottage - cosy and clean - in a great location. Very helpful and welcoming host.
Swallow Byre is a wonderful place to stay. So warm and cosy, it has everything you need on holiday. Jane the owner is lovely and made us feel so welcome. We truly enjoyed our week there. It was handy for lots of walks and the scenery is breathtaking. Lochinver is nearby and there are some delicious eateries there. We will use Wilderness Cottages again in the future as they have a great range of cottages and locations. Their website is easy to use and we received reassuring notifications after we had booked.
A week spent in cosy, pleasant and comfortable cottage. Lovely situation with views to kill for when you walk up to the hill-top at the back of the Byre. Gloriously quiet and peaceful, fresh air and warm rain with free range cattle and sheep for company. Could not have wished for a better host in Jane who went out of her way to ensure that we had the best experience. Just sorry that Wilderness were unable to reply to my request for fishing details however Jane stepped in and local Trust office very helpfull in this respect. Overall superb holiday.
Jane was the perfect host, very pleasant and informative. Swallow Byre was a lovely cottage with all you need and ideal location for the area. The treats were a lovely touch! Thank you Jane
Swallow Byre is an excellent little cottage in a wonderful position. I found it ideal for exploring the Assynt Crofters Estate and fly fishing on the Lochs.
Lovely cottage and Jane the owner is a wonderful host. Can't fault any aspect. Also, the team at Wilderness Cottages have been great under extremely difficult conditions due to Covid 19. Many thanks
A very comfortable, warm cottage with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. So nice to look out to the fields with just cattle and sheep for company. Ideally positioned for exploring the Stoer peninsular and for fishing the numerous lochs and lochans nearby.
Fantastic Byre full of rustic charm but all very modern with very efficient heating . Our only gripe is the tele was a bit on the small side but that might be because we are used to a big screen . OVERALL EXCELLENT.
Swallow Byre is a wonderfully peaceful place to stay. It is comfortable and well equiped, the Rayburn and wood burner being an integral part of the whole experience.
An excellent address in the middle of nature and beautifull enviroment. We had a perfect stay during our fishing holiday. The cottage is complete and clean with a friendly hosts to help us if necessary. A reason to come back another moment.
A beautiful cottage in a nice remote location. Beautifully warm thanks to the Rayburn, and well equipped including a very large bed. A warm welcome, including scones, from the charming landlady who lives nearby. Highly recommended for a couple.
With all daughters now n mid twenties, a first - away for a week from the madness that is Christmas. Could not have wished for a more friendly, peaceful + relaxing location. Jane is fabulous, Byre very warm and well kitted out. Favourite memory among many will be star watching in the early hours of Christmas morning - clear skies and a couple of shooting stars !! Highly recommend and we will definitely return for another week of relaxation. Many thanks !!!
Beautiful comfy and cozy stay at Swallow Byre, a home from home. Set in stunning scenery, lots of local walks and places to sit and watch the wildlife. Lovely hosts to welcome you.
Could not have been better, lovely clean cosy cottage, Jane the owner very helpful and enthusiastic. Superb part of Scotland.
Magical haven aptly describes this cottage. Sitting out looking over the crofts. Sun, sun, sun, beautifully clean award winning beaches, excellent bookshop 2-3 miles south of Lochinver, pie shop well worth a couple of visits.A landscape and roads that you have got to be there to appreciate.
A very cosy cottage, very tidy, and the heart of it is the AGA! Fine location, good views, a very friendly host Jane, who baked scones for us when leaving.
We had a sublime time at Swallow Byre. Space, quiet and great beaches to explore. Would recommend a trip to Handa Island. Jane was helpful and around if we needed but not intrusive. Swallow Byre is well-equipped and the Rayburn kept the place warm when needed.
This is a fabulous cottage! Surrounded by croftland, dry stone walls, free-grazing cattle and sheep, you really do feel that you have left all the hustle and bustle behind, and with no sounds other than nature, it is a truly restful and peaceful place to stay. Jane has thought of every last detail to make her guests comfortable and I would recommend Swallow Byre without a second thought.
Swallow Byre is the perfect escape to one of the wildest parts of Scotland. I stayed there with my boyfriend for a long weekend and we loved the cosy log-burner, location near the sea and the comfort of the cottage. Jane was also so warm and inviting and non-intrusive to our stay and left us a delicious plate of scones for our arrival. We took the opportunity to climb Suilven in the snow - crampons and ice axe required - and did the walk out to the Point of Stoer, both of which were very special and exhilarating walks. I hope we'll come back someday soon.
Apart from the stunning drive to Stoer, our first impression of Swallow Byre was how incredibly cosy, warm and welcoming it was on a snowy Winter's day. We had a lovely time, so peaceful and such a beautiful setting. I also loved cooking with the Rayburn and we enjoyed the wood burning stove so much. Jane was incredibly friendly and helpful, going beyond the call of duty to help us on New Year's Eve when I needed to call on the (excellent) Scottish Health Service. Thanks for a lovely stay!
We booked Swallow Byre from 11th - 16th January, We arrived just before dark to a warm welcome from Jane and a lovely cosy cottage with home make scones/jams and marmalade. Our stay was very enjoyable nothing much to do at that time of year, but we had gone for a relaxing break away after a hectic Christmas so this was just what we needed. The cottage is very welcoming and really cosy and on a clear night the skies are amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would recommend it.
Really enjoyed our stay it was totally relaxing, the owner is so kind and welcoming. I would recommend to anyone.
Absolutely fabulous location and the owner was most welcoming and caring. Swallow Byre offers a a very cosy location for exploring Western Sutherland , Good O2 Signal there and all the Free View channels.
Swallow Byre and its owner are both very lovely. Swallow Byre is clean and very cosy with a good kitchen (and a Raeburn!), a huge and very comfortable double bed, a cosy livingroom, a large bathroom with a shower and a huge garden. The cottage has all you need. We had a week of nice weather and went for lots of long walks. There's plenty to see and do in this beautiful part of Scotland.
We highly recommend Swallow Byre! It is a perfect, and very cozy, cottage for a couple. It is off the beaten path, but is close to great sights (e.g., Old Man of Stoer, beaches) and to some fantastic hill walks in Assynt. The cottage has everything you need, and Jane is a wonderful host. We left some fragile personal items behind, and Jane boxed them up carefully and promptly sent them to the next location on our trip. Thank you so much Jane!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Swallow Byre. Jane gave us a warm welcome and left delicious scones for us to enjoy after our long journey. The cottage is extremely comfortable and homely. It has everything one could wish for. Jane ordered some prawns for us from a local fisherman and provided a large pan in which to cook them. They were very tasty. The absence of wifi was not a problem as emails could be picked up at local cafes and pubs. It is well worth the long drive to explore this wonderful area, there are plenty of local walks, so you don't have to drive once you are settled. My husband and I hope to return to renew our acquaintance with Jane and further explore Sutherland.
Nice little cottage, warm and cosy. Very quiet location near the Point of Stoer. Thanks Jane and Jack for the warm welcome and the delicious scones.
A beautiful cottage in a quiet remote area, It was set out lovely all on one level and light and airy, beautiful scenery all round with lots of walks around the cottage and not far to 3 beaches. Stoer lighthouse was only 2 miles away and worth visiting I didn't get to see any whales or dolphins but lovely views down to Skye and Hebrides. Jane was close by and very helpful and it is some where I would definitely stay again.
Swallow Byre was the perfect place for a chill and unwind. Perfect for a couple sharing, excellent facilities and very cosy - the woodburner stove was great but rarely used as the place was so warm. No phone signal and no wifi took about a day to get used to then you remember what life used to be like! Read a couple of books in the total peace of the evenings. Jane was very friendly and helpful. The Byre is well placed for walking and cycling from the door or further afield. We will be back.
A perfect place to stay, off the beaten track and within an area of stunning beauty and interest. Great for walkers and lovers of wildlife and the outdoors. The cottage is well equipped and warm, in fact this is the second time we've stayed here and hope to return next year. it has a Rayburn- we are converted!
Swallow Byre was perfect in every way! A wonderful welcome from Jane, spacious accommodation, huge comfortable bed and everything we could wish for. Great location for exploring The Assynt.
We very much enjoyed the cottage and its position. We had a brilliant time.
Swallow Byre is a lovely place to stay - cosy, warm, well furnished and equipped - it has everything you need including an excellent bed! Jane gave us a warm welcome with her own homemade scones. The byre is surrounded by unspoilt nature, cows, sheep and birds - a wonderful place to switch off and relax. Ideally situated for exploring Assynt, Coiglach and the north.
An excellent place to stay. definitely in the wilderness but not too remote. we could see the stars at night and loved watching the light from the Stoer lighthouse swing round in the distance. a stunning location in Assynt and a perfect base to come back to after active days walking the mountains and sea cliffs, beaches, lochs and woodlands nearby. it was beautifully decorated and well equipped and had a log burner too. we particularly loved cooking with the Rayburn, never done this before but it cooked things so much better than with a conventional cooker. we can thoroughly recommend it on every level.
Swallow Byre has everything to make a most enjoyable and relaxing holiday. The location, the facilities and the friendliness extended to us by Jane was outstanding. We would happily recommend Swallow Byre to anyone who wants a most restful break.
We had a week in early August 2014. Weather mixed but never stopped us from doing fabulous walks in this most special of places and the days when the sun shone is was truly stunning. Swallow Byre was perfect in every way. So comfortable, cosy and well equipped and the welcome from Jane along with her delicious jam and scones on arrival were such a treat. The peace and quiet and sense of being so away from it all was just what was hoped for.
We enjoyed our week at Swallow Byre very much. The byre is very comfortable and well equipped. It is in a beautiful very quiet location. The owner was friendly, helpful and gave us a lovely welcome with a bottle of wine, homemade scones and jam. The weather was a bit mixed but there's such a lot to see and do it didn't matter. The midgies were on their best behaviour and we had only a couple bites! We would love to return again another year and would certainly recommend it.
The cottage was great and the owner was really kind and helpful!
I would whole heartedly recommend a stay at Swallow Byre to anyone who wants to escape and enjoy the peace and quiet this cottage provides. A short walk down the lane to the beach and you can enjoy the sunset and seascape as well as the friendly seaside pig. The cottage has everything you need to relax after a day out exploring. We look forward to revisiting the cottage in the future.
Swallow Byre is a wonderful place to stay - a real retreat from the world. It's warm, cosy and well appointed and surrounded by spectacular country. We had all weathers which meant we could go walking on the cooler days and enjoy ourselves at the beach on the sunnier days. And always coming back to the welcoming Byre in the evening - a perfect holiday!
Swallow Byre is just wonderful! Very cosy, beautifully furnished and equipped with everything you could possibly need; there's even an aga where we made the best porridge overnight. The surrounding countryside is stunning and there's a beach only 10 mins stroll away where you can watch the sun go down before returning for dinner beside the welcoming wood stove. We will definitely return soon
Had a fantastic holiday at Swallow Byre. Lovely cottage; well appointed, warm and cosy. A bonus was the wood burner! Although it was November, we were never cold. We enjoyed it so much, we extended our stay. A perfect cottage in a perfect location.
Excellent accommodation. The Raeburn and wood burning stoves made for a very cosy existance during our November stay.
Lovely comfortable cosy cottage.
Loved this place so much! Warm and cosy cottage which has beautiful stonework inside and out. Great for coming home to from a day outside as its well equipped and tastefully decorated. The wood burner stove was also an added bonus. Views and surroundings are all amazing and lots of wildlife on the go. This was our first trip to the area and we were very sad to leave but will definitely be booking again!
Had a fabulous few days at this gorgeous, cosy cottage. Everything was perfect: - the setting, the woodburner, the comfy bed, the Rayburn, the thoughtful welcome basket etc. Only regret is we couldn't stay longer.
Had a fantastic week long break at Swallow Byre start of August. Superb location, beautifully furnished with loads of character. Fantastic beaches nearby. Warm welcome from the owner Jane who was a mine of useful information. If you enjoy peace and solitude this is the place for you. Can't wait to return.
