“Someone stopped the world and we got off for two lovely weeks. This place should be available on the NHS – it would save them millions!” Mark, Louise, Harry, Freya, Archie and Bettie the dog! Teignmouth.
Here is a selection of the comments made by our guests over the years:
Harbour Cottage
From 2010:
"This place has to be good for your immortal soul – it’s wonderful! I love it – amazingly beautiful scenery – saw golden eagles/seals/otter – locals were friendly/house charming - thanks." Suzie Ramsden."A blessing of a place to be – thank you. We loved the fly past of golden eagles, and bird and sea-watching from the sun room, and the excellent maps and guide books, and just being here, quietly refreshing ourselves. Swimming off magical beaches – invigorating, but awesomely cold! Great to have a warm cottage to come home to. Thank you." Catherine Booth and Gill Parnaby.
From previous years:
“This is s a super island and a happy house. We have had a wonderful holiday here.” Elaine Mackay and Stewart McKee, Langbank.“Barra is a very special place in so many ways – its people, its location, its beaches and its wonderful views. The house is fantastic in every way. A great holiday! Thanks to Eoin for his help.” Donald and Sheila Allan, Edinburgh.
“Fantastic location, superb holiday 10/10!!” The Bewells, Wetherby.
“Wonderful cottage. Loved watching the birds from the sun room – saw oystercatchers and herons and gulls etc.” Rachel and Simon Webster, London.
“Fantastic house, fantastic location on a fantastic island. Lots of sun and some mists. Bird calls, lots of wildlife (flowers, birds) lots of sheep! Kayaked to Castlebay + Eoligarry. Biked everywhere. Fabulous beaches. We will be back. Many thanks to Eoin and owners." Alan and Mandy Gordon. Drylawhill.“Great house and many thanks to Eoin for his help. Highlights were bedtime stories in the sun trap upstairs!” Sillars family, London.
“Fantastic cottage. Spectacular location, very, very special! Met someone at the beach today who said to their husband “They have our cottage, we saw your car and considered slashing your tyres!” They had apparently tried to book the cottage a second time (which says it all)! I would certainly come back – excellent. I think this is a great location and a fantastic place.” Judith, Simon, James and Beth Whamsley. “We WILL be back! So much done and seen in 2 weeks – but not enough time! Even to just sit in the sun room and watch the tide, birds, seals and sheep is a great holiday. The cottage and the islad just feel like home.” Sara and Bob, Great Ouseburn.
“We have had an amazing week here – our first time in Barra, a place we will undoubtedly wish to return to. We’ve loved the cottage – can’t imagine anywhere else we’d rather stay on the island-perfect views and seals every day! Wonderful!” Stephen and Suzanne Gurr, West Sussex.“Wow!! Lovely cottage and we all agree it’s got the right amount of ‘homeliness’ for a truly relaxing holiday.” Amanda, Hayden, Jasmine Bolton, Scott Lidell, Loughborough.
“GREAT to be back! Stayed in Barra 1 week every year 1988-1998 –9 of those in Harbour Cottage – we LOVE the place! Cottage very clean, smelt lovely on our arrival. Appreciated all the improvements. Sun lounge and views just as good...Harbour Cottage remains our favourite ‘home from home’”. John and Chris Murphy, Barford.“Wonderful week – our first time on this glorious island. Enjoyed many swims (with wetsuits!) in the harbour and nearby coves. Loved here playing on the rocks, playing my fiddle outside, painting, reading.” Jane, Martin, Ben (11), Joshua (9) and Eleanor (6) Harris, Dunkerton.
“We loved this cottage – don’t change anything! Our highlights included kayaking in the harbour, catching mackerel from the pier and barbequing it on the beach, body-boarding, toffee muffins from ‘The Deck’ and kite flying... We celebrated a 70th and a 3rd birthday around the kitchen table. We Y Barra and will be back for more!” Simon, Thomas and Kate with guests Kevin and Jane and Rachel, Greg, Hazel and Ginny.“We have saved for 2 years to come back and it’s been worth it! Can’t think of anywhere else we would want to stay – I love it that the cottage is not too “fussy”, I love watching the sun rise over the sea and the seals come in (if you stay still enough!) I love the wile unpredictable weather – and I saw a sea otter today! We will begin saving again, so hopefully be back in another 2 years!” Suzanne and Stephen Gurr, West Sussex.
“One week is all too short! Time has flown by. We all enjoyed our holiday and found the house just right as a holiday home you could return to and feel at ease!” George and Maggie (Monce??). “Yet another PERFECT BARRA holiday. Perfect weather, perfect walks, perfect place. Cottage was brilliant overlooking harbour – a noisy otter appeared one morning! Idyllic with the tides coming in and out, sitting on the sun catcher bench. Kisimul Cafe, a curry treat, as was the feast of barbequed garlic prawns. All together a fantastic tonic after winter.” Glenn, Karen, Nina, Jess and Grandpa Robiin Huthchison from Gourock.“This cottage is lovely. It reminds me of holiday cottages I stayed in with my family 35-40 years ago. It’s warm and bright with lots of charm.” Helen and Neil Aitkenhead, Thornhill.
“Came to Barra with Dad. It’s my first time here. Saw loads of seals in the bay. It’s been very wet but we’ve still had a great time. I’ve especially enjoyed walking on the beaches, a trip on the ferry to Uist, our plane flight to Benbecula and relaxing in the cottage. Hope I can come again.” By Simeon (10) and daddy, Stephen Gurr. West Sussex.South Bank
“A lovely holiday in a lovely spot, sunshine all week, great walks and friendly people. Snug and cosy in the cottage.” Derek and Anita Perkins, Bromsgrove.
“Excellent week in beautiful location...lovely cottage, clean with everything we needed...what a wonderful place.” Heather and Jonathan Holme, Forgandenny, Perth.“This cottage has been welcoming and cosy. It is very well equipped...It is one thing to see this little cottage on the website and on Google Earth. It is not obvious though what a little treasure of a place it is to keep us comfortable during this fabulous week exploring Barra, Vatersay and Mingulay.” Helen McNeil and David Williams, Auckland, New Zealand (Aotearoa).
“Beautiful island, fair weather and a cosy cottage!” Vincent Pickering and Annette Lake.“A lovely wee house that wraps itself around you – I came to unwind – I am unwound...”. Bridget Doogan.
“A beautiful island – the cottage was ‘just right’...Hope to return soon.” Michael and Liz Bennett, Berwick-upon-Tweed. “Wonderful views from cottage. Lovely walks headlands and beaches...sighting of seals on two evenings – wonderful!” Alan and Pat Hancock, South Shropshire.“A wonderful place to escape from the hectic nature of life at the cutting edge of the NHS...Long evenings, good food, the cottage definitely grows on you. White beaches, turquoise seas.” Gavin and Louise Stewart, U.K.