About

Am Bothan

Am Bothan (formerly Blue By Ewe) is a charming 2 double-bedroomed single-storey cottage, located just 3 miles outside the pretty village of Poolewe. It sits above the shores of Loch Ewe and enjoys an enviable view to the mountains beyond, including our nearest, the imposing Beinn Airigh Charr. On clearer days, you can look North East towards higher peaks such as An Teallach, Suilven and Stac Pollaidh. We are ideally placed for access to the famous North Coast 500 and make a great base for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to tick off Munros or do a bit of sea-kayaking.

Home from Home Comfort

The cottage is furnished with mid-century pieces from the likes of Ercol and Stag, and we like to support individual makers - many of the items in the cottage have been specifically sourced from artisans on our contact list, and the original artworks in oil and acrylics are by Janet and Simon. If you take a particular fancy to any of these, they are (mostly) for sale. You can catch up on emails or watch a film with broadband and Freeview satellite TV - sink into one of the leather sofas and keep warm in front of the woodburning stove, or coorie up under 600 thread count Egyptian cotton bed-linen and goose-down duvets to sleep the sleep of a thousand nights.

On your arrival, you will find natural and beautifully-smelling soaps and hand-creams from The Perfume Studio in Mellon Charles, just across the loch. With the heightened hygiene restrictions that Covid had brought to us, we leave samples of these, unopened and for you to use and take home with you when you leave.

Have a leisurely stroll around the garden, and if you’re here at the right time, pick some fresh berries from our fruit-cage for your breakfast - in the evening, enjoy a drink on the verandah and take in the breathtaking view.

We’ve found it is an incredibly relaxing place to be, and the slow pace of life, clean air and cool, fresh water all combine to make your stay a truly replenishing experience.

Details

Am Bothan enjoys all the practicalities that makes life at home easier. There is convenient parking right outside the cottage. The kitchen is fully fitted, with fridge/freezer, electric hob, oven and grill, dishwasher, microwave, toaster and kettle, and although you won’t be wanting to spend your holidays doing the laundry, there is a washing machine in the rear porch if you need it. We have a lovely local community shop and post office in Poolewe, which has an excellent range of products covering your day to day needs - there are also local shops, a bank, Post Office, an excellent butcher and other amenities in Gairloch - but it might be worth getting some shopping on your way to the cottage, maybe at one of the bigger supermarkets in Inverness or Ullapool, to stock up on favourite holiday treats.

Focus on Yourself

Simon spent several years teaching African drumming, and still has a garage full of drums. If you would like to try your hand(s) at this under-estimated skill, he would be happy to provide guidance and tuition. Plus, we have no near neighbours!!

Janet is a qualified teacher with degree in Fine Art from Central St Martins. Combining this with 30 years’ experience in spiritual psychotherapy, she is happy to offer one to one or small group meditational drawing sessions. A great way to learn something new or refresh your own art practice, there’s certainly no shortage of subject matter. There is so much inspiration in the local area, one would never be at a loss to follow one’s own creative pursuits. But help is here if you need it. A gentle interlude perhaps leading to a healing lifetime’s habit.

Please email us ahead if either of these are things that might interest you.