Gille Buidhe's Broch
Ullapool, Ross-shire,
Highland
Self-catering
+44 (0)1854 622368
Visit owner's website
£192 - £312
per night
£1340 - £2189
per week
A modern take on an Iron Age roundhouse with stunning sea views in Scotland’s wild west, perfect for couples
1 bed
1 bedroom
Sleeps 2
Pets welcome
Your enquiry details
2 Guests 21 Nov 24 - 21 Nov 24
Direct with the owner
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£192 - £312 per night
£1340 - £2189 per week
The Experience
It’s quiet here on the Coigach Peninsula, the only sounds the birds, the wind and the waves. Burrow down into squashy sofas and take in the views through the enormous windows or work your way through a stack of books.
Outside, the broch is camouflaged, but interiors are bright and colourful – a lovely relaxing bedroom, modern bathrooms with saunas, a sociable kitchen – with light, beamed ceilings. Sheileagh and Reiner leave their own farmyard eggs, cake and a drop of whisky – they’ve lavished love on the broch down to the last detail, using parts of the old pier built by Sheileagh’s great grandfather in the build.
You’ve got pretty Polbain on your doorstep and Achiltibuie a few miles east, the latter has great spots to eat and trips out to the Summer Isles. Amble along the hills and beaches – there’s a guide in the broch – swim in sea and loch, or hire a kayak and pack a picnic to spend fine days exploring hidden beaches.
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We think you'll love
- The ever-changing views of the sea
- Staying somewhere quirky
- Sheileagh’s entertaining local stories
You should know
- The dining table is rather snug
- There’s no television
- It’s some distance (15 miles) to the nearest main road
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £192
- Weekly price
- from £1340
- 1 House for 2
- From £1921 bed1 bedroom
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- 4pm
- Check out
- By 9am
- Other details
- Minimum stay: 6 nights all the year round.
- Closed
- Rarely.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Property
- This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
- Meals
- Pubs/restaurants 2 miles.
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Reviews
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This week has been like a plunge into a especially refreshing pool - such beauty and all at such a different pace. I am even more convinced that this is a „thin“ place, where it’s easier and simpler to connect with its creator! We‘ve enjoyed every moment. Thank you both.
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One is hard put to say anything that has not already been said in praise of the Broch - that and the artwork of visitors. But - here goes our list. The wind, the sun, the clouds, the changing light on the Summer Isles and the sea have transfixed us as we sit morning and night at the „front“ window. The remoteness of Coigach as we explored it has been an experience as never before, such an astonishing sense of isolation and splendour combined. The house itself was exactly what we had hoped for and much more. It is a long journey from Philadelphia, but a journey that has changed our lives!
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What a magical spot! The area, the views, the wildlife, the smells are - of course - fantastic… but it is the Brochs and the style with which you have designed and furnished them, which really makes the magic. Thank you for allowing us to stay and for your hospitality We will be back - if you let us!
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We have had a gorgeous week! Surrounded by nature, animals, silence and beauty, beauty, beauty… We are in gratitude… and the words are missing to express more. The house is so „close“ to the surroundings, and in relationship with this beauty! Thank you for all the attentions you prepared and left for us, and we would be so pleased to come again!
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We had a lovely relaxing week - perfect to recharge our batteries. We didn’t go far - no need as everything was here for us - beautiful views, well equipped kitchen, lots of wildlife to watch. Chris enjoyed the walks from the door while I used the study to play my fiddle and banjo. Then back together for a relaxing sauna, then a tipple or two. Very, very impressive - thank you for making such a beautiful place.
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Simply magic /wonderful/. 11 out of ten. Will definitely return. Thx 4 everything.
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We enjoyed welcoming the spring in the well crafted Brochs surrounded by nature and Highland skies. Saw the wagtails, visiting geese and deer grazing amongst the sheep. Great waves crushing against the craggy rocks of Reiff and Achnahaird, went for a brief swim. Fisk gallery up the road is full of great local artists. Spotted seals and shags off Isle Martin during a sun-soaked kayak trip with local guide Will. Wood fire, Whisky and sauna in the evenings watching the ever changing view. Inspiring and invigorating! Thanks for the great architecture and welcoming stay!
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An absolutely marvellous week! Looking through those windows was like watching the world through a wide-screen movie screen. Sun, clouds, rain in an ever-changing view. The Red Deer also provided much entertainment! They even danced on the rooftop one night. Magic!
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Magical spot in a magical place
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A truly spectacular place to stay and enjoy one of the most wonderful places in the UK. The views, landscapes, wildlife, seas, skies all coexist with this special Broch. Tastefully decorated with fantastic artwork, beautiful furniture and locally sourced pottery it’s all been carefully considered to deliver a truly wonderful home. We will be back 😊.
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What an incredible two weeks it has been! Your warm welcome made us feel right at home. The stunning view from your window was a daily masterpiece - the rolling hills, majestic mountains, breathtaking sea, and the adorable rabbits and graceful deer that added a touch of enchantment to the pittoresque landscape. We were lucky enough to catch glimpses of playful dolphins and laid-back seals - moments we treasure forever. The two full weeks of sunny weather left us feeling like nature was in on making our stay special. Thank you for the memories-we are already counting the days to our next visit
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Our 3rd visit, a beautiful sanctuary at one with nature. We enjoyed watching the baby bunnies, the deer and the antics of the sheep. This year’s hills were Canisp, Beinn an Eoin and the stunning Stac Pollaidh. Many thanks Reiner and Sheileagh -we will be back!
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What a wonderful place. I love the beautiful unusual architecture, the warmth, the views, the walks, the friendliness of all the locals. I did miss my microwave but I found I could manage without it. I loved Lochinver, especially Culag Wood + Dornoch was a lovely quaint seaside town. I prefer the Summer Isles to the East Coast. I hope I can return. Many thanks for cake, eggs + whisky!
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Back again for our annual visit. This time , Achmelvich Bay and the Folly Castle made for a fantastic day in the sun. Lochinver boat trip also excellent and a trip to the pie shop afterwards 😊. Enjoy your stay - we always do!
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What an amazing week! The Broch was so very comfortable for the family- we loved every minute of this holiday. Lovely facilities here and and excellent starting point for our walks, fish trips, runs, driving and food journeys. Loved seeing the varied wildlife. Thanks so much Reiner for the many recommendations of places to visit, walks to take and the fish trips. Our stay was excellent and we will definitely be back!
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The broch is a gem, a piece of history repurposed, a stylish and comfortable retreat amidst perhaps the most beautiful part of Scotland, even whole British Isles. Two of Scotland’s most lovely peaks are on its doorstep, Stac Polly and Suilven. How could walking days be more any more perfect than to return to the broch, cook dinner in the wonderful kitchen, while looking out across the ‘lounge’ and through the panoramic window to the Summer Isles just outside. A gorgeous place to stay and dean of returning to...
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Location
The neighbourhood
Tiny Polbain is almost as far west as you can go, a charming crofting village with a long row of cottages facing the sea. It’s 22 miles north of Ullapool – the last 15 along a wild, single-track road, but once you’re here there’s no need to travel far. Achiltibuie (three miles) has a great grocer and a handful of restaurants where the food miles are low – Salt Seafood Kitchen is just a few hundred metres from the shore and serves hand-dived scallops and massive langoustines.
Local points of interest from Reiner Luyken
- Coigach is part of one of Britain's most outstanding National Scenic Areas. You will find nature in abundance. Mountains that rise like huge sculptures out of the heather; the sea in its changing moods; a patchwork of islands. All right in front of you.
- Gille Buidhe’s Broch is part of a small Highland sheep farm. Some guests helpe with lambing and bottle feed orphan lambs.
- Hidden roads take you through birch forests and along enchanted lochs to small fishing towns. In Lochinver, you are spoiled for choice for lunch. Ullapool‘s „Dipping Lugger“ boasts a truly deserved 3 rosette culinary excellence award from the AA.
- Ian MacLeod takes you out to watch seals and, if they around (which they are ever more frequently) dolphins and whales. The sea around The Brochs is a Marine Protected Area. You can observe otters and sea eagles - some of the world's largest eagles.
- Nearby Stac Pollaidh, one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains, is an easy climb. If you fancy fly fishing for brown trout, sea trout or char, there are no better places than the lochs a short drive inland. We can advise you about permits and tuition.
- The greatest thing is perhaps just to do nothing. To look out through the huge panorama window and watch the ever changing sky. In the evening, you have the choice of three places for a meal within a radius of two miles.
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Introducing
Reiner Luyken
Sheileagh and Reiner Luyken have lived at Polbain all their married life and opened their brochs to guests in 2011. They’re a font of fabulous stories: Sheileagh’s a local lass well-versed in the history of Achiltibuie, while Reiner, a trained musical instrument builder and salmon fisher, spent many years afterwards dodging bullets as a war correspondent for the German weekly, Die Zeit; he’s now turned his talents to crofting. They’ve a palpable enthusiasm for their project and live onsite with their collie and border terrier.
Sun shines so brightly, silhouetting the islands and reflecting the houses of Polbain, giving them all a yellow hue. The Brochs nestling bodily under their turf roofs and peering out upon the spectacle before them. A warm welcome includes home baked cakes, single malt, freshly laid eggs and tips about where we can get more. Local and amazing ingredients are enjoyed including scallops, crabbies‘, filet steaks, vegetables to die for, decent wine for under £10 a bottle, sausages from Cumberland, Sornoway black pudding and beetroot with apple pickle - we have feasted like Kings!