The Croft

Holiday Cottage, Dunnet Head

Escape to the unspoiled Scottish countryside in this luxurious self-catering accommodation in Caithness, the North Highlands of Scotland. Offering modern comfort coupled with old world charm and character. Sleeps 6+ (plus extra bedroom for 2 at Christmas & Newyear). Children welcome. No pets and no smoking please.

Newly refurbished, this Highland get-away sits in the peaceful seaside hamlet of Brough, on Dunnet Head in the Far North  of Scotland, with spectacular surrounding views of Orkney and the Pentland Firth.

Available for weekly  rental and short breaks all year round.

NEW! Caithness Pamper Packages starting November 2008. Featuring L'Occitane en Provence, fluffy robes, rest relaxation and optional treatments by a qualified therapist. Details on request.

Caithness has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet relaxing holiday amongst the beautiful highland wildlife, or looking for adventure in the great outdoors. Ideal for walking, cycling, surfing, loch and sea fishing. The Croft and surrounding area is also perfect for a relaxing retreat.

Spot seals at Brough Bay, only metres from your door, whales, porpoises in the Pentland Firth, sea otters, puffins and a whole lot more. Take to the seas with the wildlife cruise from John O' Groats, and don't forget your camera. Or try fishing for brown trout in one of our many lochs. There are also daily ferries to Orkney nearby.

The Neighbours	Dunnet Bay Miles of soft golden sand only 3 minutes drive from your door
Brough Bay 1 minute walk to Brough Bay	The Croft at sundown
Dunnet Beach Only a 3 minute drive from your front door	Relax Second sitting area overlooking the beautiful gardens
Garden Small woodland area	Wildlife Pond Children must be supervised at all times in the garden.

Accomodation:

• Sitting room with real fire (wood burning stove)
• Dining area & additional sitting room overlooking private garden 
• Bath and shower
• 2 WC's
• Kingsize, Double & Twin bedrooms (extra bedroom at Christmas & New Year for 2 additional guests)
• Cot available
• Kitchen with dishwasher, Electric oven & hob
• Laundry room with washing machine, and freezer  
• Sheltered established garden and patio, grassed area, wooded area and nature pond. 
• Storage for bikes, surf equipment golf clubs, fishing rods etc.

 Equipment provided includes:

• Glasses, cutlery, crochery,pans,cooking dishes and utensils
• Television & CD player 
• Quality bath & bed linen
• Luxury matresses on all beds
• Duvets & Pillows
• Basket of logs for fire (additional wood available locally)
• Cot  & high-chair
• BBQ & Garden furniture
• Centrally heated throughout 
• Welcome pack 
• Other extras

Shops  The village of Castletown is a 5-8 minute drive and has a petrol station, well stocked shop, a superb local butcher, a good fish and chip shop, chinese takeaway, a good new Indian restaurant (which will deliver to The Croft), and bar, post office,and  hotel restaurant. Thurso is 12 miles away and has restaurants, 2 supermarkets and a collection of local butchers, bakers and old good old fashioned and well stocked grocery stores, a sports centre with swimming pool. The Croft is within a Tesco grocery delivery area.

Airports 20 minutes from Wick airport,  2.5 hours from Inverness Airport.

Ferries 5 minutes from Gills Bay Ferry, 15 minutes from Scrabster Ferry and 20 minutes from John O' Groats Ferry.

Castle of Mey Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's former Caithness Residence is a 5-10 minute drive. The Castle opens 1 May and offers guided tours. Entrance to the new visitor centre and tea room is free. The tea room serves fresh local produce, cream teas and home baking. There is also a delightful animal centre with goats, rare breeds of pig, lambs, chicks, ducks and more. A fascinating experience for adults and children alike.  www.castleofmey.org.uk

Surfing Holiday Caithness is the perfect place for a surfing holiday in Scotland. The summer is ideal for learners as the waves are smaller, and for those who are a bit more experienced, September and the winter months see large powerful waves at Thurso, Brimms and Ness Point to name but a few. And for those in the group who like to stay dry, there are plently of other activities on offer including pampering treatments from qualified therapist Jennifer Slaney at Far North Therapies. ( She may also do home visits).

Dunnet Beach, July 2008 (above)

SeaDrift  Visitor Centre, Dunnet Beach Learn about the Natural History of Caithness and Sutherland. Offers day trips and programmed walks throughout the summer (June to September). Good for children.

Lyth Art Centre is 10 a minute drive away and hosts a variety of productions and art classes througout the year.

Dunnet Forest A beautiful peaceful and sheltered woodland next to Dunnet beach. Perfect for walking, catching tadpoles, spotting roe deer, resident buzzards rare tiny blue butterflies, and hundreds of flowering plants. Also good for teddy bear picnics. Some walks feature sculptures by local artists. www.dunnetforest.org

Mary Ann's Cottage  5 minute drive, or a nice walk to the historic cottage in which 1 family, generation after generation lived and worked. Open June to September

Pentland Tours Thurso. Tours with local guides and experts who will introduce you to the beautiful and unique landscape of the far North.

'The tours are themed so that each day will give an insight into a different aspect of life ranging from the distant geological past through to the natural landscape of the present and including all the "must see" sights such as the Castle of Mey and John O'Groats'. See www.pentlandtours.co.uk or call 01847 895103 for details.

 Please see THINGS TO SEE AND DO for more information on activities and places of interest.