Kettle Cottage, North Uist

Kettle Cottage (“Taigh a Choire” in Gaelic) is a traditional croft house situated in the township of Tigharry on the west coast of the Isle of North Uist.

Newly renovated in 2017, this cosy 1 bedroom cottage sleeps 2 people. Pet friendly, a maximum of 2 well behaved dogs are welcome. The bedroom is spacious and can accommodate an additional folding bed for a child or cot if required. The kitchen/living room has a log burning stove and locally cut peat is supplied so that you can curl up and relax in front of the fire after exploring the island.

The cottage has an elevated position and enjoys stunning views over Hoglan Bay and the RSPB’s Balranald Nature Reserve (1mile to the South). Located 1/2km off the main road the cottage provides a secluded location to relax and enjoy the wild Atlantic coastal scenery. The Balranald Nature Reserve is one of the main visitor attractions on the island and is an important breeding site for ground nesting birds such as Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and the elusive Corncrake. In the summer months the machair is a blaze of colour with a huge variety of machair flowers. The RSPB Visitor Centre (unmanned) is open all year round and guided walks are provided by the RSPB from May to September.

Kettle Cottage takes its name from the nearby natural arch and blow hole, the “Spouting Kettle” or “Slochd a Choire” in Gaelic. Atlantic storms force huge waves into the cave causing the sea to spout into the air through the blow hole, hence the name.

The headland on which the cottage sits has a fantastic coastal walk route and provides uninterupted views to the Monach Isles and the St Kilda World Heritage Site, 46 miles to the West. Traigh Stìr or Hosta Beach, renowned for surfing, is only a short walk North from the cottage. This area of North Uist is a bird watchers paradise throughout the year.