Sleeping eight to ten guests, Tigharry Schoolhouse provides light, spacious, accommodation for family and friends to gather. The layout has been designed to ensure the comfort of large groups, with convivial open-plan living areas balanced by restful bedrooms and quiet private spaces.
The interior finishes have been carefully selected to reflect the building’s former life as a school and its coastal location, whilst also channeling elements of mid-century Scandinavian design. Polished concrete floors, painted tongue and groove walls and Crittall panels set the tone of the old schoolrooms; while whitewashed floorboards, antique radiators and sash windows frame the simple seaside aesthetic of the former cottage. Throughout the house, vintage and salvaged pieces has been chosen to best compliment each of these styles.
The original school entrance still serves as the main access to the house, complete with shaker coat pegs, vintage seating and mid-century maps. Crittall panels separate the hallway from two, large, double-height living spaces, formed from the old schoolrooms. On one side, the kitchen-dining room; this has seating for ten, views out over the patio and walled garden, a library housing over a thousand books, wood burning stove, and a fully-fitted kitchen with two ovens, an induction hob and plenty of pots, pans and kitchen equipment. The living room is located on the other side of the hall. This features comfortable seating on three large sofas, another wood burner, a dedicated study area, television, several vintage board games and an antique piano. Triple-aspect windows flood this room with natural light during the day, but once the sun sets, lowering the large-scale projector will transform it into a home cinema, perfect for an after-dinner film. A newly-built utility room housing laundry facilities and an additional larder/pantry adjoins the kitchen-diner. This also provides direct access to the back patio and garden.
The cottage part of the property is accessed via the kitchen-dining room. It houses all the bedrooms and bathrooms. Sleeping accommodation is provided across four bedrooms; two on the ground floor and two on the first. Both ground floor bedrooms are furnished with king-size beds. The larger has double-aspect windows looking out over the gardens, as well an en-suite shower room. The cosier, smaller double is located directly opposite the family bathroom. This is equipped with a free-standing roll-top bath (with shower attachment) ideal for a relaxing soak after a long day’s exploring. Upstairs, the king-size master has wonderful views across the paddock and neighbouring fields. It also features an attached bathroom (bath with shower attachment). Finally, the upstairs twin has two single beds (suitable for adults or children), a beautiful view over Loch Eubhal and its own en-suite shower room. Each bedroom is furnished with ample storage (drawers and hanging space) as well as a Roberts Revival digital radio. Washed-linen bedding and Egyptian cotton towels are both provided for all guests.
Please note: two additional beds can be set up if required, and the configuration of the bedrooms can be rearranged, to, for example, create a family room, sleeping four. Please contact us to discuss your requirements if there will be more than eight guests in your party.
The Schoolhouse sits centrally in its own grounds, comprising a walled garden and paddock. To the front of the house there is ample parking and a large front lawn that looks out across the loch. Behind the house, the sizable, west-facing lawn is ideal for outdoor games and provides wonderful evenings views. There is direct access from the utility room to the outdoor patio where a large table and seating are set out for guests’ use during the spring and summer (a barbecue can be found in the outhouse). From the paddock, there is gate access to neighbouring fields, through which a ten minute walk will bring you to the Atlantic shore. This part of Uist has a beautiful, sandy coastline and is perfect for catching amazing, wide-sky sunsets. On clear days there are views out to St Kilda and the Monach islands.
HOUSE AMENITIES
Whilst we encourage you to get out and explore this extraordinary corner of the world, we also recognise that the great indoors can be just as important as the great outdoors when it comes to creating the most relaxed and unforgettable holidays. As such, the Schoolhouse has been set up with range of amenities and little extras to help facilitate the best possible stay for groups of all sizes and guests of all ages.
+ Satellite wi-fi throughout the house
+ Mobile signal and 3G available both inside and outside the property
+ Samsung Serif Smart TV (with Freesat and connection to Netflix)
+ Roberts Revival radios in all living areas and bedrooms
+ Two wood-burning stoves with ample wood and kindling provided
+ Newly installed polished concrete floors with underfloor heating throughout main living areas
+ Large open-plan kitchen-dining area with seating for ten
+ Outdoor patio with dining table and seating for eight
+ Over an acre of walled garden with a large west-facing lawn
+ Outhouse for storing golf clubs, fishing rods and bikes
+ Ample parking for vehicles
+ Miele washing machine and tumble dryer
+ Fully-equipped kitchen with full range of pots, pans, crockery and glassware
+ Integrated dishwasher
+ Two integrated ovens (one with microwave function)
+ Under-counter fridge/freezer plus large, additional freestanding fridge/freezer
+ Baking equipment including tins, weighing scales and mini chopper/blender
+ Nespresso coffee machine (cafetière also provided)
+ Washed-linen bedding and Egyptian cotton towels
+ Hairdryer (x 2) and straightening irons (x 2) for guests’ use
+ Baby cot and high chair (available on request)
Little Extras
+ Ipad provided for guests’ use
+ Vintage (and modern) board, card and parlour games
+ Antique piano and acoustic guitar
+ Home cinema projector system connecting to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV
+ Sonos surround-sound system for wireless music streaming
+ Library of over 1000 books covering a wide range of genres for all ages, plus large selection of magazines (including travel, science, design, interiors and cookery titles)
+ Local walking guides (covering the whole archipelago), plus wildlife/birdlife guides and OS maps (North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, South Harris and Barra, OS 452, 453, 454, 455)
+ Binoculars (2 pairs) for guests’ use
+ Welcome basket of essentials and local produce on arrival
+ Herbs, spices, tea, coffee and variety of kitchen condiments provided for guests’ use
+ Larger pantry of dry and tinned goods available (use and replace system)
+ Option for groceries to be purchased for guests’ prior to arrival (additional cost)
+ Catering for dinner can be provided on request by prior arrangement (additional cost)
+ Use of two bicycles, adult sized (with helmets)
+ Outdoor games: cricket set, football, kite, plus sand/water toys for beach use
+ Small portable barbecue for use at beach picnics etc.
+ Weber charcoal barbecue (for use in the garden) with charcoal provided
+ Use of owners’ wellington boots (3 pairs, UK sizes 6, 8 and 9)
+ Beach towels for all guests
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Dogs
By prior arrangement we will accept well-behaved dogs at the Schoolhouse. Please note dogs will be subject to an additional cleaning fee. They must be kept off all furniture and should be brought into the house via the utility room if muddy or wet.
Accessibility
The Schoolhouse can be easily adapted for accessible, step-free access of the entire ground floor (including two bedrooms and the ground floor bathroom). Please contact us to discuss should your group have accessibility requirements.
THINGS TO DO WITHOUT LEAVING THE HOUSE
If you don’t feel like venturing far, not a problem. Here are some of our favourite suggestions for things to do without ever leaving the Schoolhouse.
+ Fly a kite outdoors with (a lot of!) wind in your hair
+ Watch the newborn lambs in the paddock in the spring
+ Spot wild rabbits playing out front in the morning
+ Have a dress-up dinner party and a feast around the giant dining table (catering available on request)
+ Sip whisky (or hot chocolate) and stargaze after dark
+ Have a sing-along session beside the piano
+ Use the binoculars and bird watch in the paddock – look out for Curlews, Lapwings, Oyster Catchers, Corncrakes
+ Play vintage board games by the fireside
+ Have a movie night: watch ‘Whisky Galore’ or ‘The Edge of the World’ on the big screen projector
+ Select a novel from the library and curl up in one of the window seats
+ Sip a Harris Gin and tonic and watch the sun go down from the patio
+ Cook up an outdoor feast – grill freshly caught lobster or local venison steaks on the barbeque
+ Eat local eggs and Uist smoked salmon for breakfast ever day!
+ Turn detective and identify the wild flowers growing in the machair of the paddock
