Durness Cottages: A Romantic stay at the Mackay’s

Ah! the first few things that comes to one’s mind immediately after hearing this place are Whisky, the bagpipers, the kilt (their national item dress) and of course the highlands.

Talking about highlands – Durness is the place to be, especially during the winter season. Derived from the word Drya-ness, which means deer point, it is the north westerly village on mainland Britain, famous for its oasis in the barren land, extended horizon and the most magnificent view of Loch Eriboll. Friends visiting this place are full of praises. So, I managed to gather little information. A person can reach the location via Inverness airport, other modes of trasportation is a matter of preference, and then follow it up with a car ride into the village as one is greeted with single track roads. Almost immediately a sense to explore this already inviting and spectacular place becomes fervent. Smoo Cave, Carn Righ, Balnakiel Old Church, Clach a Breitheanas” or the Judgement Stone are few of the main attractions of this place, but there has to be many more. In this scarcely populated area, reaching the destination might take you sometime as you might stop at several corners with dazzled eyes at almost every turn– beautiful landscape.

To experience the best of their offering, booking an independent cottage on to shores Loch Eriboll should be astounding the senses. Stunning, perfect craftsmanship should be the first words out of your mouth when you look at the cottages around. The Mackay’s could well be the perfect hosts and the amount of care and attention that has gone to make this ultimate luxury resort is there to be seen. You might have options of staying with your friends and families at the owner’s 4-star hotel, Mackay’s, in Durness, but selecting this 5-star accommodation was a good choice. It could be a perfect beginning to a perfect holiday. Welcomed with local cheese and smoked salmon — simply irresistible. Between the two cottages, The Shore Dwelling and The Hill dwelling, they are accommodated in the self catering Shore dwelling which faces east over Eriboll. It is a good few miles away from the other cottage, offering peace and tranquility and not to mention privacy.

Being a self catering, B & B facility, the utility and the kitchen are the first things that have to be checked. So upon entering this very warm and welcoming cottage one would notice the patio doors overlooking the Loch Eriboll, the most spectacular coastline with the never ending and ever changing view of the Atlantic Ocean. What a site to behold!!  As you would be basking in this breath taking scenery and listening to the sound of the waves hitting the shore, you might get interrupted so much in store at the
place. So, first thing first, the utility room when checked you would find it with every required amenities such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer and lots and lots of place to hang wet clothes. After this surprise (as you might not expect modern amenities in this place) the open-plan kitchen with its multi fueled stove, microwave, fridge, freezer, cooker, dishwasher, etc is something great. It is also very tastefully decorated; anyone would want to cook in this kitchen. The Mackay’s would inform you about the LCD TV, DVD player, Stereo, docking stations for i-pod, a feather top 7-foot bed. But you would be mesmerized with the unparallel natural beauty that was beckoning them towards the spacious patio which also had a barbeque.

When the sun sets in and it gets dark outside and if you are at the place during Christmas then
you would find snow all over. The sky would be clear, and you would see herds of deer coming off the hill. A Truly magical experience!! What might surprise you is that even with sub-zero temperature, the cottage would be very warm. This is because not only the cottage is surrounded by hills on one side but also the stone walls are insulated with sheep’s wool and tire bales.

Amazing UK’s experience

I am sure that by this time you would start falling in love with Durness cottages at Mackay’s. It surely would make your holiday worth it. Amidst nature it could well be one of the loveliest stay and a great holiday for all those nature lovers and romantic people out there. A magical place for a magical Holiday. Truly worth a great Scottish Holdiay.