Harris Self Catering Accommodation
Possibly the most wonderful self catering accommodation on the Isle of Harris is the spectacular blackhouse at Borvemor, Scarista. As you can see from the photograph to the left a blackhouse is a type of cottage, it is stone built with a thatch roof. "Tigh Dubh", as it is known in Gaelic, was built, in 1993, in the traditional style. The property consists of a large living area (shown below right) with an open plan, fully equiped, kitchen, a double bedroom with a king size bed (shown below left) and a bathroom with electric shower. This self catering accommodation on the Isle of Harris is 5 star quality throughout and is highly popular so, if you are interested in booking this wonderful blackhouse please contact the owners directly using the information below or click here.
To fully experience the Isle of Harris you should fully immerse yourself into the Hebridean culture and one of the easiest ways to do this is to live, as closely as possible, as the Hebridean folk once did. Not too long ago the majority of islanders would have lived in a blackhouse. However their blackhouses would not have been anywhere near as luxurious as the blackhouse at Scarista. Oh no, less than a hundred years ago a typical Harris family would live in a small blackhouse but they would live towards one end and their important livestock would live at the other end of the building.
Although most of us would cringe at the thought of sharing our house with a dairy cow, some chickens and maybe a sheep or two, there were many important reasons why Herideans would share their accommodation with animals. Firstly the people were often very poor and livestock was their most important possession, obviously they would want to protect such an investment from the harsh winter weather and the best place to do that is indoors.
Further to this livestock can give off an enormous amount of heat. With the winter weather in the Hebrides being extremely wet and windy, and the fact that the only other source of heat was a small peat fire, any additional heat could only help. The only thing that we do find alarming is that the animals 'waste products' were not removed until spring so it must have been rather a smelly place. Yet again there is a perfectly good explanation for this behaviour, come spring it would be time to plant the year's crop and the manure was perfect for use as a fertilizer.
Happily, as you can clearly see from the photographs on this page, the self catering accommodation at Borvemor, Scarista is top notch and now cows to be seen, except for the lovely highland cattle in the next field of course! With the stone built, very, very thick walls and the homely solid fuel burner (plus other heating facilities) the inside of this blackhouse is easily kept to a nice cozy temperature. So much so that many guests comment about it.
‘Been around the world, but Harris remains the most beautiful place on earth and the Blackhouse is the perfect place to stay.' was one memorable visitors comment that I read. When reading through the visitors book you will notice that a great many of the visitors who stay at the blackhouse have stayed there at least once before.
Not only does this prove how difficult it is to stay anywhere else once you have experienced blackhouse accommodation but it also makes it incredibly important to book as early as you can otherwise you could risk disappointment.
Scott & Margaret Bennett, 9 Scarista, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3HX
Telephone: 01859 550222
E-mail: borvemor@zetnet.co.uk
More Self Catering Accommodation on the Isle of Harris
Glen Carragrich is a wonderful stone built crofthouse offering 3 bed self catering accommodation on the Isle of Harris. It can be found about 3 miles from the main town of Tarbert where you will arrive if you are travelling by ferry. Read more...
To book this self catering accommodation please contact the owners directly using the information below. Please provide as much information as possible.
Contact Details:
Dina Stewart
Telephone: 01224 584864
E-mail: glencarragrich@aol.com
A 2 bedroom self catering house found in Tarbert, the main town on the Isle of Harris. With one bedroom, with double bed, downstairs and an upstairs bedroom, two single beds. Read more...
BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT - This property is highly popular so please book at your earliest opportunity by using the contact information below.
Contact Details:
Dina Stewart
Telephone: 01224 584864
E-mail: glencarragrich@aol.com