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Firthview, Canisbay, nr John O' Groats, Caithness

 

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Firthview Croft is simply the perfect rural holiday solution, 700m from the main road and surrounding properties it provides both seclusion and safety. Situated as it is at the centre of a small family croft your stay will be accompanied, across a fence at least, by a small friendly flock of sheep. The views from the gardens surrounding the croft across the Pentland Firth to the deserted islands of Stroma, Swona and the more populated and famous Orkneys are simply breathtaking. Even if the weather is being less kind it remains a wonder to be able to watch the weather coming your way.

Situated within easy reach of all three ferries to Orkney, you would be able to spend the day exploring its highlights either on the arranged tour from the John o' Groats passenger ferry or with your own transport via Gills Bay or Thurso ferries. Essential spots to visit are many, often unknown to the traditional tourist: Caithness and Sutherland keep their best secrets to themselves and the inquisitive visitor. Some of the more well known places include of course John O' Groats itself; take a trip on the North Coast Marine Adventures tour, an ocean-going inflatable RIB that will take you around Stroma or the Duncansby Stacks in search of birds, seals & the occasional whales as well as spectacular scenery. Visit the Queen Mother�s Castle at Mey preserved as she would have wished, it has become a hub for visitors and now includes a collection of local and rare breed farm animals as well as an impressive walled garden. Step back in time and visit Mary Anne�s cottage at Dunnet preserved as a living museum of home life in this isolated location, visit the recently opened Caithness Horizons Visitors� centre in Thurso town hall that combines the centuries old history of the region with the more recent history of the nuclear power industry pioneers.

There are lagoons that are the favourite haunts of seals; Brochs and Cairn dwellings as well as a string of disused herring ports accessed via a mass of steps and slopes from cliff top to sheltered harbour. All this within 20 miles of the croft. Sandy beaches are plentiful, close and deserted. Surf is up in this famous surfing venue. Quiet roads and good access to local forests, tracks and hills makes for good walking, trekking, cycling, sightseeing, birdwatching and so on. Head west to the rugged Sutherland countryside, go as far as Cape Wrath and Durness, explore Ben Hope and Ben Loyal (the north�s two Munros) or just sit at Tongue or the sea Loch Eriboll and soak up the views. Such a rural location means that restaurants don�t survive unless they are friendly and good or you could stay �at home� and eat meat from farms within 2 miles and vegetables, soft fruit and other produce from the county.

  • Sleeps - 4 + cot
  • Bedrooms - 2
    (1 kingsized double, 1 twin)
  • Bathrooms - 1
  • Washing machine
  • Microwave
  • TV, DVD, stereo
  • Cot and highchair available
  • Garden with courtyard
  • Barbeque and garden seating for 4
  • Outdoor storage available
    (for bicycles, surf boards etc)
  • Pets welcome at no additional cost
  • Short breaks on a late availability basis
  • Wick 16 miles, Thurso 16 miles
  • Airports - Wick 16 miles, Inverness 120 miles
  • Station - Wick 16 miles
  • 2 pubs within 3 miles
  • Restaurant � The Schoolhouse, John O�Groats 3 miles
  • 3 golf courses - nearest 12 miles
  • Beaches � rocky beach at the bottom of the drive, sandy beach 3 miles
  • Forest � 8 miles
  • Birdwatching, seal watching � on the doorstep
  • Archaeological sites
  • Castle of Mey � 2 miles
  • Orkney � via the Gills Bay ferry just along the road

Accommodation:
Firthview Croft is a lovely, traditional family cottage, in a fantastic location on the north coast of Scotland overlooking the Pentland Firth, the Island of Stroma and the Orkneys. The cottage is ideal base to explore the local area. The croft itself is part of a traditional highland steading situated in its own secluded grounds 700m from both the nearest road and house, serviced by its own drive. The croft was originally a three roomed house with stone walls two foot thick and has seen the addition of two small but necessary additions over time - a separate bathroom and a kitchen!

Thus the croft now has a living room, kitchen diner, bathroom and two generous bedrooms, a double and a twin. The kitchen includes electric cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer and washing machine, table and chairs seating 4 and a sea view from the kitchen sink to make washing up a pleasure! There is also access to the garden and courtyard. The living room benefits from Freeview TV, Radio and a CD System. There are fully compiled information folders for local attractions and comprehensive local dining guide with sample menus. Bedroom 1 is a spacious double bedroom with great views over the surrounding countryside and Bedroom 2 has twin beds. The bathroom has a bath with a shower over.

Outside, the cottage is surrounded by gardens on three sides and a courtyard to the front. Spectacular views of the Pentland Firth, Orkneys and the uninhabited island of Stroma can be seen from the garden. The steading outbuildings mean there is storage for equipment (bicycles, surfboards etc) available. The two outbuildings are used by the owners in the running of their smallholding where currently they run a mixed flock of Jacob, mule and Shetland sheep. The main usage of these buildings will be during the lambing season (March) and will be kept to a minimum at other times.

Directions:
From Wick take the A99 north, continue to follow the A99 signposted John o� Groats and Gills Bay ferry turning right at Reiss. Continue on the A99 for approximately 12 miles at which point take the left turn signposted Canisbay. This is a single track road with passing places. After approximately 1 � miles turn right signposted Canisbay, just after entering the village turn left. Follow this road to the end, Canisbay Church should at this point be in front of you. Turn left at the junction and take the first left again. This turn can be difficult to see as it is on a slight bend but has a green wheelie bin at the bottom. This is the drive to Firthview croft which is the only property located at the very end of the drive.

From John O� Groats take the A836 signposted Gills Bay Ferry, continue on this road for approximately 3 miles. When having passed the white Canisbay Church and two white houses also on the right, the drive to Firthview cottage is the next left.

What's included:
Heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and household cleaning products.

Cost and availability.
Firthview Croft operates on a Saturday to Saturday basis. Check in after 2pm check out by 10am.
Short breaks on a late availability basis.
Non smokers only.

To book this stone-built self-catering holiday cottage in Caithness near John O' Groats, click the enquiry button below and see the availability and prices.

Firthview, Canisbay, nr Wick Caithness KW1 4YB Scotland.

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