Guests say
Tigh Mairi boasts stunning views and a tranquil location, ideal for outdoor activities and exploring Harris and Lewis. Guests appreciate the spacious, well-equipped property and its potential as a delightful holiday retreat, despite some noting maintenance issues.
The property generally appears clean, with fresh towels and a tidy appearance upon arrival. However, some guests noted the need for additional cleaning of kitchen utensils and the presence of mould and dampness, affecting the overall cleanliness score.
The location receives high praise for its quiet setting, spectacular views, and proximity to local attractions and amenities, making it an excellent base for exploring the surrounding areas.
Guests find the property comfortable, with cosy bedrooms and a great shower. Some concerns about hazards and dated decor slightly impact the comfort level, but the overall experience remains positive.
The property is equipped with necessary appliances and cooking equipment, though some guests suggest updates and additional utensils. Issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and maintenance concerns, such as dampness, affect the score.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the property owners towards the guests, so this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Tigh Mairi is perfectly located for exploring the Isle of Harris and the islands of the Outer Hebrides.. 1 step to entrance.
Ground Floor:
Living room: Freeview TV, DVD Player, Open Fire
Kitchen/dining room: Electric Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing Machine
Shower Room: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed, Single (3ft) Bed
Bedroom 2: Double (4ft 6in) Bed, Single (3ft) Bed
Bedroom 3: Single (2ft 6in) Bed.
1 electric storage heater, electric heaters, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Initial fuel for open fire included.. Garden. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking. Please note: There are a few steep, stone steps into the lower part of the garden and access is via a steep track. This property has a security deposit of £150.. Tigh Mairi is a well-equipped and comfortable detached house that has had a new shower and two new double beds added for 2023 and a new cooker in 2024. This traditional style croft house is in an elevated position and offers the most breathtaking views over the island of Scalpay. It is accessed by a steep track with a cattle grid.
Some points to note are that this property is not one of the more modern refurbished properties that are available on the island, should you prefer that. Please see the photos for a representation. Please note that there is no dishwasher. Due to the location, the phone signal is quite weak inside the house, but there is a landline you can use for emergencies. You do have Wifi, but commonly the broadband speed in the area is a bit slow, although you might welcome an "off-grid holiday". The house has heaters and an open fire, but is not centrally heated, so you might also want to bear that in mind if you feel the cold easily.
In Tarbert, 4 miles away, you will find a grocery shop, post office, places to eat, 2 pubs, the Harris Tweed Shop and the very popular Harris Gin Distillery. Harris has a wide range of landscapes, all of which have their own charm and interest. On the west coast lie some of the most spectacular beaches with large open machair areas.
In the north, the terrain is rugged, mountainous and has a lunar feel to it, with the exposed rocks being a result of glacial erosion from the Ice Ages. The area is known as ‘The Bays’ because of the many small, quiet inlets. Wildlife is abundant, a birdwatcher’s paradise, loch, sea angling and hill walking; The Clisham, the highest mountain in the Western Isles, is only a short drive from Tigh Mairi.
There are many art galleries, Harris Tweed weaving, boat trips to St. Kilda, and so much more. In general, the attraction of the Isle of Harris is its peace and tranquillity, the magnificent scenery and beaches and with the shoreline just 400 yards away, come, explore and enjoy. The spectacular beaches of South Harris are 14 miles away. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.
Free WiFi
Access to the house is via a steep track (please use 1st gear).
Please leave the gate closed at all times so that sheep do not get in the garden.
There is limited internet signal and/or mobile reception at the property.
EPC Rating = B
We highly recommend that you book your ferry as soon as possible as ferries get very busy. You can call Calmac on 0800 066 5000. For ferries that travel to Orkney are Northlink Ferries 08001114422 and Pentland Ferries 0800 688 8998.
There is a security deposit of £100 to be paid directly to the owner.
Scottish Letting Licence ES00564P
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Reviews (13)
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Charles Jennings
Lovely location, quite, views spectacular,house clean and tidy, all good just what we needed for walking, sea fishing and sight seeing holiday at a good price.
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Confirmed Guest
The house met our needs in terms of its size, available cooking facilities, kitchen utensils. bedrooms comfortable with plenty of clean towels, tea towels etc. Bathroom had great shower and everything worked fine. Was in a lovely quiet location with great views. Good location for access to Tarbert for shops and some bars and restaurants. Also near wonderful Bistro at Scalpay. Good for base to explore both Harris and Lewis. Would just highlight a couple of hazards which is coming down the stairs and also where the mirror is in the bathroom. Could bang your head if not careful and also hurt yourself with the 2 protruding silver brackets in the bathroom over the sink and would suggest removing them.We covered with an hand towel whilst in the property.
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Laura Mcleary
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for allowing us to stay at your property on the Isle of Harris. The location was absolutely stunning – the views took our breath away when we first arrived, and the garden was spectacular. The house itself is spacious, well-equipped, and clearly has so much potential to be a wonderful holiday retreat.That said, I do feel it’s important to share some feedback about our experience, as it did unfortunately affect our stay. When we first entered, the property smelled very fresh and clean, and it was clear a good clean had recently been done. However, as the scent of cleaning products faded, a strong smell of damp became noticeable, particularly by the first evening. By the following morning, several of us were waking up with sore throats, headaches, and that lingering taste of damp in the back of our throats.It quickly became clear that dampness and black mould were present throughout the property. We noticed it especially in the kitchen cabinets, along the carpets where they meet the walls, and even in the air – you could feel it as soon as you spent time indoors. Looking at some of the walls and ceilings, it does seem there may have been a water escape at some point, and the property has unfortunately been left with a persistent damp problem as a result.This was quite concerning, as everyone in our party experienced coughing, sneezing, and tight throats when inside the property, though we would feel much better whenever we spent time outdoors. For anyone with respiratory problems, this could quickly become a serious health risk.I completely understand that older properties and dampness can be very challenging issues to resolve, especially in the Hebridean climate. But in its current state, the property really doesn’t feel suitable to welcome paying guests. That is disappointing, as we had invested a lot into this trip and so wanted to enjoy all that your house and the island had to offer.I hope you can take this feedback in the constructive spirit it’s intended. Your property has so many positive qualities – space, equipment, location, and those incredible views – and with the damp issue addressed it could truly be a wonderful place for guests.Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it’s helpful as you consider the next steps for the property.