I spent much of last weekend driving along roads that have been re-branded and now form part of the iconic North Coast 500 route.
Travelling between Inverness and remote but beautiful Durness in north-west Sutherland, I not only enjoyed admiring the stunning scenery but couldn’t help but notice that here, townships and villages are home to a huge variety of different house types.
Along with tumbledown cottages that you hope one day will have new life breathed into them, there’s croft houses, ’60s bungalows and a good number of modern eco-houses.
A great example of the latter type of property is Stac Polly Lodge in the township of Polglass which is close to Achiltibuie.
It’s a fabulous, contemporary decrofted house which sits in a stunning setting and is designed to make the most of the fabulous views towards Bardentarbet Bay and the beautiful Summer Isles and beyond this to the superbly craggy mountain, An Teallach.
On the market at offers over £525,000, it’s a lot of house for the asking price, and for the last seven years it has been used as an established and successful five-star holiday letting business, so this is a home that could – should you desire – also provide the new owner with an income stream.
Highly energy efficient and with extensive use of glass to maximise solar gain, it comes with a host of luxury items that holidaymakers might want, but would also be pretty good to enjoy yourself.
These include a large decked terrace with a hot tub, glazed gables and a luxurious triple aspect master bedroom with double-height cathedral ceiling, two built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room with sauna. Bliss…
The full accommodation includes an entrance hall, lovely open-plan dining kitchen which comes complete with a host of integrated appliances and a sun room, utility room, three bedrooms and a bathroom.
On the first floor there’s an open-plan sitting area, aforementioned master bedroom, study area and WC.
All the open-plan spaces are tastefully decorated, while the bedrooms and bathrooms are beautifully appointed.
Underfloor heating and nice touches like having full-width glass doors in the sun room leading out to the flagstone and decked terrace – home to the hot tub – make it an exceptional home.
Incidentally, while chilling in the hot tub, users can enjoy spectacular views over a small peninsula to the Summer Isles.
Fantastic, elevated views can also be enjoyed from the sitting room upstairs, as it has a glass wall which allows this area to be filled with coastal light. A free-standing wood-burning stove, makes a nice focal point on dull days.
The house sits in a large garden, laid mainly to grass.
Outbuildings include a single garage with up-and-over door, that has power, light and storage space, while a second building houses a very handy laundry.
The house shares an access track with neighbouring property and sister lodge Locholly Lodge, which is also a highly successful holiday let.
It’s a fabulous home and within easy reach of the NC500, a route which attracts tourists from all over the world.
Achiltibuie is a popular destination just off the route and, as a result of this, Stac Polly Lodge has seen an increased demand for accommodation from tourists.
Contact: Galbraith on 01463 224343.
