The Rowans, Loch Tarve

We booked this cottage through Sykes after much searching for a property by itself but handy to tour the very North West of mainland Scotland. It is a two bed roomed property, we were two couples and it was more than big enough for us. There is a beautiful view from the sitting room onto Loch Tarve. Although there were midges here during the time we were there (a week at the end of September 2012), they were not overpowering as they can be. The weather was fine for most of the week and even when it rained it did not spoil the touring holiday we had planned.

The Location says it is in Strathpeffer but it is about 7 miles west of there on the A835 just after the Tarve Services – there is a red post box right on the junction. There is a single track uneven road leading to the cottage (follow signs for Loch Tarve Trout farm, keep left and next to the trout farm there is a signpost saying The Rowans adjacent. The owner’s property is in front of you as you drive in and the cottage is about 40 yards away on its own. It is a detached bungalow with plenty of parking space.

The owners are very friendly including their daughter who sold us a dozen eggs. We had a problem the first evening we arrived as a stone flew up on a road 20 miles away from property and made a small chip in the top of the windscreen. The mobile reception in the area was to say patchy and could not explain the problems to the Glass firm. Ally was great and allowed me into his house and use his landline. I sorted out the problem easily enough there and then – so thanks Ally it was much appreciated and alleviated fears that the windscreen would totally crack. He showed us around his modern property (if it is on Sykes’s books then you know it is going to be a good standard in all aspects including cleanliness).

As you enter the property there is a combined kitchen/diner & sitting room, Ally’s wife had left 6 large bottles of still water for us, he explained that the drinking water there was from a private water supply and some people did not like the colour of the water, slight brown colour. It was checked several times a year for hygiene and always passed. We did use bottle water for tea & coffee but that was it. In the sitting room part was a three piece suite which was comfy enough; it had a TV and DVD player but there is NO Internet connection at all – which did not matter as we were there to relax. There is a large dinner table at the Loch facing sitting room window.

There are two bed rooms, one double room and one smaller twin room; each had ample storage for clothes. The shower was efficient although the cubicle was a little small but OK, there is no bath. We never got to use the terrace as we always got back late in the evening.

All the conveniences were there to use apart from a tumble dryer but we used the radiators for drying clothes. We thoroughly enjoyed our week there and it was so relaxing. It is a perfect place for touring about the North West Highlands, Inverness is about 22 miles south. YES – we would go back there if we go back to the North of Scotland.

Rhin